The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1889. SAMOA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1873, 2 April 1889, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1889. SAMOA.

Samoa still continues to enlist public attention. From being the source of some anxiety to the three greatest Powers on the face of the earth, its storm of the 16th of March last has raised it to a level in which the whole civilised world must feel an interest. The story of the disaster is told in another column, and, if we mistake not, it will be found unparalleled in the history of shipping casualties. Six men-of-war, representing two great nations, driven ashore in one day, together with every vessel in the harbor, with the exception of the one solitary British man-of-war. There is much in the affair “ to point a moral or adorn a tale.” There were the three great nations represented by seven of their great fighting ships. Each of the two most belligerentlydisposed of the nations owned three of the vessels; the nation which had assumed a more or less neutral attitude owned only one, and this one alone escaped. What opportunities are thus opened up to the moralist? But we shall discuss the subject from that point of view further than to say that it almost looks to us as a just judgment on the nations concerned —and especially upon Germany, who is certainly the cause of so many vessels of war being present. The conduct of the Germans in the country for years past is something disgraceful, and we believe, too, the Americans have not been altogether free from blame. The first troubles in Samoa were caused by an American named Colonel Steinberger; later ones by a German named Dr Knappe, and no matter bow Prince Bismarck may disavow responsibility for the later’s actions there is too much to show that he countenanced, if he did not suggest, the German policy in Samoa. It is all very well for him to disavow responsibility for his agent’s actions, but where is the late King of Samoa ? Where is the humane and gentle Malietoa, who allowed himself to be sacrificed sooner than be the cause of bloodshed and war ? When Malietoa was taken prisoner and exiled from his country, why did not Prince Bismarck inquire into the affair, and reinstate him in his kingdom, of which he was deprived in order to enable the Germans to rob the poor natives of their land? Before people believe Prince Bismarck it is necessary for him to explain this, and also the reason he had for sending three men-of-war to Samoa when the other interested Powers had only one man-of-war each there. No matter how Prince Bismarck may disavow responsibility these facts remain, and it will take him all his time to disabuse people’s minds of the impression that he really contemplated annexing Samoa. When a few years ago Germans committed outrages in Samoa Germany found she had no one to account to but England. America, with her traditional objection to war, refused to support England in her protest against German arrogance, and since then Germans have virtually ruled in Samoa, Immunity from consequences made the Germans bolder, and, believing that America would not interfere, Prince Bismarck no doubt thought his opportunity had come, especially with his Conservative friends in power in England. Finding, however, a more vigorous administration in America, and that he will not be allowed to have his own way, he no doubt thinks discretion the better part of valor, and is backing downstairs by disavowing responsibility for the, acts of his agent. {

At any rate, Samoa has now cost him dearly, and it is probable he will pause before expending any more money on it. One fact has come out boldly, and shows the noble character of Mataafa, the King whom the Germans have sought to dethrone. Briefly Mataafa’s position is as follows King Malietoa was dethroned and exiled, and Tamasese was appointed King in his place. This was done by the Germans because Malietoa refused to sign papers which would give them possession of the greater part of the country, and Tamasese, being a rival chief and a creature of Germany, was fopnd a more pliable tool. The people rebelled against Tamasese, and elected Mataafa King temporarily until their lawful monarch, Malietoa, returned, and all the trouble has arisen out of the efforts of the Germans to crush

Mataafa. Instead of glorying in a misfortune 'which gave him a splendid opportunity of establishing his power in the land —instead of wreaking vengeance on his enemies as they swam half-drowned ashore from their wrecked ships, as most savages would —Mataafa sent his forces to reader them assistance ; and we are told that some of the Samoans lost their own lives in their efforts to save the invaders of their country. In this Mataafa has proved himself not only a humane, hut a wise ruler and a generous foe. His generous conduct will, without doubt, result in the settlment of the Samoan question in a manner that will be satisfactory to him and beneficial to the country, for now, after his gallant and noble action, the G-ermans can no longer continue to carry on the war with him. Samoa has been reduced to a miserable condition by the wars, o f which Germany was the cause, but the j probabilities are that the disasters of 1 the 16th of March will put an end to all the disturbance, and that peace and prosperity will soon reign again.