PACIFIC ANNEXATION. The Anglo-German Negotiations.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 89, 14 February 1885, Page 3

PACIFIC ANNEXATION. The Anglo-German Negotiations.

London, February 7. In connection with the question of annexation of islands in the Pacific the following particulars have been published :—: — In August Prince Bismarck intimated to the Imperial Government that Germany would protest againbt the northern portion of New Guinea being annexed by Great Britain. To this intimation Earl Gran ville replied that the limit of the British annexation would only be the southern coust, and in September he informed Prince Bismarck that, in con&equence of pressure brought by the Australian colonies, the British Government decided to protect all unoccupied territory, except a small piece at tho north of the island. Prince Bismarck objected to this, and in October iiarl (Jranvillo reverted to the first intention ot only annexing the southern coast. In December t/«e Hon. Mr Mead©, one of the Assistant Undor-Secretaiies of the Colonial Office, who was despatched to Berlin by the Foreign Oih'ce to make arrangements tor the meeting of a conven tion to adjudicate upon the rival claims to the Pacific Islands, pioposed at Berlin that Great Btitain should possess exclusive pro tection over New Guinea, and that Germany sl.ould be recognised as having a protector- , ate of New Britain, New Ireland, and York Islands. He also proposed to neutralise the remaining unoccupied islands of the Pacific, and specially refened to Samoa and Tonga He further suggested that England should offer a small concession in Africa to France, providing the latter gave up all claim to the New Hebrides. Prince Bismarck refused to agree to this. Earl Gran ville answered that tho proposed annexation ot the northern portion ot New Guinea by Germany would lead to strained relations with the colonies. Prince Bismarck replied that tho internal policy woulu be unaffected so far as Germany was concorned, and he insisted on tho fulfilment of the promises in October. In January Earl Granville again protested against the Gei man annexati m of tho northern portion of New Guinea, prior to the appointment of tho proposed Commission, and at tho same time intimated that England had now extended her protectorate as far as the Huon Gulf. Ho also charged Germany with intriguing for Samoa. On receipt of this Prince Bismarck instantly wired that the proposed extension to the Huon Gulf would probably involve a collision of interests. Earl Granville explained that he was unaware that Germany desired any of the territory to tho southward of the gulf named, and he also admitted that there was a treaty which provided that neither England nor Now Zt>a land must annex Samoa at present.