AFFAIRS AT SAMOA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1933, 22 August 1889, Page 2

AFFAIRS AT SAMOA.

AtrcKiAN®, Aog. 20. The return of the exiled-King : . Malietoa took place oh ;the Jlth Apgviat byf the German . warship " Wolf., A number of boats and canoes put off from shore, but no one' was allowed on ; hoard. l When It was ascertained that Malietoa was actually on board the Wolf,Vit was suggested that his flag should be hoisted as a token of welcome. This was the identical flag that had been hauled down by the officers of the German squadron.two years, ago. Sonmanatafa at that time took it into his carej;and has jealously,,guarded] it ever since.. It was brought forth by , him and runup speedily on McArthur "Slid Co.’a flagstaff. When the old flag fluttered in the breeze and Malietoa recognised the familiar symbol of his former authority, he was deeply and visibly affected, and subsequently declared after coming ashore the sight of it gladdened his <h&trt. Malietoa was landed just before dusk* and immediately bad an interview ith Mataafa. The meeting between the man who has so. well and ably sustained f he fortunes of Malietoa’s party during the recent troubles, and the returned exile, jwas.not only friendly and cordial and affecting, but pathetic, After dinner general conversation was indulged in, but Mai ietoa and Mataisfa were soon r deeply in private communications. It ,was.clearly manifest -that there was no feeling of rivalry between them at all, and whatever development in Samoan po’itlcs may take place, the<relatioDs between the two men will be of a most amicable nature. During the evening Mr Blackleck, the American vice-consul, offered bis congratulation's to Malietoa on his return, to Samba. Mslietoa had the option of proceeding in the Wolf to bis home in Savau, but be pre* ferred to land at Apia before going home. Ho is at present staying with the chief magistrate, Mr Falan.

Under date ,15th July from Apia, Mr Julian The mas (the Vagabond), who is at present on a tour amongst the South Sea Islands, writes as follows

, Peace has not yet brought prosperity to Samoa. Want and famine are amongst the natives, and there is great scarcity of food. In particular districts of these islands daring the civil war, plantations were neglected; and although the warriors have now returned homeland are busy at work, yet, where there has been no'seed time there can be no harvest. Amongst the old people there is great distress, and several have died already ! 6f starvation. Admiral Kimberly returned to Apia on the 9th Inst, ~ from Pango Fango, bringing 15,0001 b of biscuit and rice from the American war ship Menongahsla,, for distribution amongst the distressed: natives through the agency of the priests who bad appealed to him on behalf of the s'uffariDg people. 1 Provisions were ; also offered by the admiral to London Missionary Society here, bat the missionems lately received -supplies from Sydney, and stated that their, people were not in need. They hsd also written te Sydney not, to send money subscribed in thechurches for relief here. ! The German man-of-war Wolf, it is said, will be herein a fortnight bringing Malietoa back under the conditions of the B'erlin conference. Mataafa, however is now king, de facto. Ho has appointed his; officers and police and jesued edicts signed, Mataafa Malietoa Tupu 0 Sjoathues Mataafa, the high chief king of Samoa.

Mataafa baa baen recognised by all but the G»nnan residents as king, and officially so by the United States authorities hero. He is a grand character, an able ruler, a brave warrior, the Ro.bert Bruce of SaijaOß, but humane as Unset Fritz. The Loudon missionaries admit ho would make the beat ruler, but, say they, unfortunately he is a Catholic, and wretched religious difficulties crop up here. Samoan independence is jeopardised because the Protestants cannot overlook the religion of the greatest hero Samoa , has known. .No doubt Mataafa is slightly under the control of the Marist priests, who tel), me , the return of Malietoa will complicate M ■ "■

‘affayg. Naturally they wish Mataafa tto cem'ain king, or that some amicable agreement be come to that he be made succeeding to the throne in due coarse. But the Protestants, London Mission and Wesleyans, all go solid for Tamassse as vice-king or king, which J means German rule. The German party hope the return of Maliatoa will cause discontent in the patriotic party, which is the sole reason for bringing him back after two years’ exile. It is their last osrd to play. All the other white residents support Mataafa, from M’Artbur and Co, to the poorest beachcomber, and in the end I patriotism will prove greater than religious I fanaticism amongst the natives. If I

Mataafa is relegated to obscurity simply because ha is a Catholic, the greatest injustice will be perpetrated, and civil war will again ensue. He is vary reticent, however, and (ells me that when Malietoa Lsnpepa was taken prisoner, it was by his i wish he assumed control. He will be very glad to see Laupepa back, but he says no more. I

The British consul, Colonel deCostlogen, is neutral. He recognises no king until the settlement according to the terms of the Berlin Conference, but Admiral Kimberly and Tica-Consul Blacklook address Mataafa as “Your Majesty." I accompanied Admiral Kimberly and Staff Consul Blacklock on an official visit to present him with a gold hunting watch, chain, field glass; telescope, compass, barometer and thermometer, the gift on behalf of the President and people of the doited States for hie exertions in saving life during the late hurricane. There are other gifts, watches, etc., to the chiefs, aod 4009 dol. in gold to be distributed amongst subordinate natives who aided in- saving life. This magnificent present greatly impressed the natives with the friendship > of the United States. Consul Blacklook j made an eloquent address to his Majesty. J Mataafa in reply said it was only his duly to save life, remembering that One cama l into the world to save ns. . There was no cant in this remark; it was spoken as a simple expression of faith; Each time one sees Mataafa one is more impressed with hil real nobility of character. , ; I