MR W. L. REES AND THE SAMOANS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 377, 15 June 1889, Page 5

MR W. L. REES AND THE SAMOANS.

Mr W. L. Rtces, prior to his departure from England, called upon Mr Stead, of the " Pall Mall Gazette,'" and had an interview with him upon the subject of Samoan affairs. The report which is published by the " Gazette " shows that Mr Rees took a very fair view of the case. He , spoke strongly of the injustice of a Conference sitting to determine the future of Samoa without the Sainoan people beingrcpresen ted in any torm upon it. Mr llees stated that for the past three years he had been the duly accredited representive of King Malietoa, and he put in an earnest plea for the return of that ill-used sovereign to the islands, acting under a constitution which would give the Samoans complete autonomy whilst recognising the tripartite authority of Germany, the Unioed States and England. The inter\iew was chiefly occupied with a narration of the history of events in the Samoan Islands, with which New Zealand readers are thoroughly familiar. One passage, however, may be given in lull, because it evidently expresses the impression Mr Rees obtained of American feeling on the subject during his recent visit to Washington. He said : "If I could be heard by the plenipotentiaries afc Berlin, I would respectfully suggest that the first step towards the iree settlement of affairs is to send Malietoa back, which would have the best effect on individuals, and enable Germany to do with great effect what she has to do any way." " Why ' has to do V" — " Because if Germany does not 'knuckle down' the Americans would have to go to war. No difference between Democrats and Republicans will be allowed ,to stand in the way — they will not stand any nonsense in this matter from Germany. They will have to make their book accordingly ; and Bismarck knows it. In proof of phis we have the wigging Bismarck gave the German Consul Knappe— a reproof singularly unjust because he really acted on implied instructions, which it is now convenient for Bismarck td forget. The situation is very strained; on one occasion, it is reported, a British man-of-war was going to tire into the German ships owing to their having laid lawless hands on a British subject. Remember, I hope if wise counsels prevail at Berlin a settlement may be arrived at ; but there is no security fo^ any permanence in any settlement which does not take into account as the first factor of the problem the wishes and interests of the Samoans themselves. I have written to the Secretaries of State for the three countries and to the Conference on Malietoa's behalf." If our cable summaries of the results of the Conference are correct, Mr Reess appeal has fallen upon deaf ears, for we have not heard that any attempt was made in the Conference to do justice to the deported king. Nevertheless, Mr Roes will have the gratifying consciousness ot having pleaded for one whose weakness has made him an easy prey for the oppressor. t

The Now York lebtor in Kansas "City Journal " says : The other day I had the much-petted child of Mrs Ballington Booth, the pale, pretty Captain of the Salvation Army, put into my ai-rns. Ifc is a plump baby in white embroidei'ed robes, which the mother takes as much pleasure as any woman not in uniform in having sot and sheer and dainty and keeping immaculately clean. But the peculiarity of the infant is not its chubby arms, nor its sweet temper, nor its propensity to grab for flowers, but the badges with which it is always adorned. The Salvation Army mother keeps a store of them, and garnishes the child with a new one on overy occasion. "God's Infant," "Dedicated to Jesus," " One of Christ's Little Ones," "Holy to the Lord," "A Growing Soldier," " The Little Corporal," "Enlisted for the War," are a few of the emblems which at one time or another emblazon the babe. Usually they are worked in gold floss on purple or scarlet ribbons, and serve for sashes, or are pinned from the neck to the waist of the child's gowns. They are Mrs Booth's one dress mania. Says the London "Bird o' Froedom " :—: — "Agontleman who has madethetourof New Zealand tells usthe following : ' I once saw a Maori that I knew walking up and down the verandah of an hotel, and looking very much disgusted about something. On my asking what was the matter he told me that he hart had thirteen glasses of whisky, and couldn't get drunk.' Send that Maori along to Fleet-street, Mister, and we'll see what we can do for him."