SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1842, 19 January 1889, Page 4

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Sydney, January 17. Arrived, s.s. Lubeck, from Samoa. She reports that no further fighting lias taken place. Lieutenant Spingel, who was wounded in a recent fight, has succumbed to his injuries. Mataafa his taken up a new position, and is strongly fortifying his camp. It is reported that his troops have committed extensive depredations on the cultivations of residents in the vicinity to provide food supplies for the camp. Tamaseso is quietly recruiting. Shipments of ammunition have come to hand, and have been eagerly purchased by both sides, numbers of tho Natives mortgaging their lands in order to procure fighting material, Washington, January 16. President Cleveland has addressed a message lo Congress, in relation to the dispute between the United States Government and Germany on the Samoan question. Tho message sets forth that while Germany professes to have no intention or desire to overturn the Native Government of Samoa, or to ignore her treaty obligations, her actions in Samoa ind ca(e a desire to obtain a preponderance of power in that country which is quite inconsistent with the agreement between the United Stales and the European Powers, Tho message further refers to the treatment received by the Samoan Natives at the bands of German officials and residents in Samoa, treatment which certainly gives colour to a suspicion that Germany is rot content to occupy a merely neilrnl petition in Samoa, Admiral Kimberley, who is under ordeis to proceed to Samoa with the United States’ corvette Triton, has been instructed to afford all possible protection in his power to Americans residing at Samoa, and to their property, and to report at once if, in his opinion, the German officials are acting with impartiality in their dealngs with the Natives, The admiral is also instructed to protest against the overthrow of tho Native Government at Samoa. Mr Bayard, United States Secretary of State, has informed Count Herbert Bismarck that he has no knowledge of Klein, one of the Americana who are accused by Germany of instigating the rebellion in Samoa, and that if there is any truth in the statement, Klda is acting without authority. Mr Bayard adds that the American officials have been instructed to observe strict neutrality in dealing with Native affairs. He suggests that iho present time is opportune for Samoa to elect a king in accordance with the agreement arrived at by the Washington Conference on the Samoan question, and says tint his Government will bo willing to co-operate with Germany and Great Britain to restore order in Samoa nn the basis of Samoan independence. President Cleveland, in bis message to Congress, declines Gemany’s proposal for co-operation with the United States for the settlement of affairs in Samoa, and invites Congress to decide the course to be taken by America. Klein insists that the 'Washington Conference of 1887 granted the Samoans tha right to elect their own King. London, January 16. Lord Salisbury has forwarded instructions to the British Consul at Apia, similar in terms to those giA r sn by the United States Government to their representative in Samoa as to tho observance of neutrality in tha present situation.