Samoan Affairs.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3659, 17 September 1880, Page 2

Samoan Affairs.

(FBOK A COBBEBPONDENT.)

Apia, Samoa, June 17. 1880. H.B.M.S. Cormorant left Jiere some time ago after having done good work in the peace making line. The people of Samoa owe a debt to Captain Brace and Mr W. J. Hunt, Chief Secretary to the Government of Samoa, for the peace which has been established. The Cormorant left for Safutu (Savaii) in Jane, | with King Malietoa and suite, and the negotiations there were a great success. Some days after her return to Apia, she left for Atua. On arrival there negotiations were entered into by Captain Bruce and Mr W. J. Hunt with the chiefs in rebellion against the Malietoa Government, the result of which was that the Tutuilla chiefs and their followers, numbering about 400 men, agreed to leave Atua and proceed to their homes in

Tutuilla. The old Reman motto," Divide to conquer," was thus carried out; as the effect of the Tutuilla chiefs withdrawing from the rebellion dirided the party, and the result was that the next day after the return of the Cormorant to Apia the chiefs in rebellion wrote to the foreign Consuls asking them to come up to Atua to see them. The Consuls went as requested, and the chiefs then agreed to join the Malietoa Government, and stated they would come to the seat of Government at Malinun on ah early date to arrange the terms of a definite and lasting peace with King Malietoa. On the 15th June these chiefs came from Atua to Apia, but owing to the conflicting interests of the various foriegn Consult they were not allowed to go to Muliuun till the next day, although the chiefs and Consuls had pledged themselves to meet King Malietoa there without delay. This interference of the foreign Consuls might have brought about more difficulties as the fact i of their not keeping their engagement was a great insult to the King. Fortunately they went the next day to the seat of Government, and a meeting was held between King Malietoa and the chiefs, which was in every way successful, the high chief of Mtfsoua, the leader of the rebellion, and his followers agreeing to come over to the Malietoa Government. The King made a very rigorous speeoh, and by his fire and eloquence carried the ' • whole meeting with him. The foreaajpf his word will long live in Samoa, antflp* policy for a united Samoa with a. good Government, which will extend justice to all men, will ever stand out in bold relief. The credit of baring made peace in Samoa is due to Capt. Bruce of the ; Cormorant, and Mr W. J. Hunt, as had they not have gone to Savau and Atua, and entered into negotiations, nothing would have been d^pne. The foreign Consuls would not have been received had they attempted a mission of peace to the rebels or old Government party. The old Government had. been very bitter against the foreign Consuls, owing to the moral support which they extended . to king Malietoa (and it was only in extremity that they sent to see them,) as the names of Weber, Dawson, Graves, Tempsche, and Captain Deinhard were a red rag to them. For the reason above the foreign Consuls would have failed in and peace negotiations: with them. The foreign Consuls or " Triumvirate," as they are called, have tried to act the autocrats with the foreign, residents, in making laws whioh would disgrace the Statute Book of any country. Fanoy these gentlemen making a law that if any person molested or insulted any member of the Municipal Board (i. 4., tuemselres) he would "be fined $260 (£SO) or bare six months' imprisonment. There is great dissatisfaction expressed against the Consuls having anything to do with the municipality, as < the foreign - residents desire local self government, similar to the municipalities, in the Colonies. They do not see the right of foreign Consuls to interfere* with the municipality, and make arbitrary laws to - suit themselves, when they as the taxpayers have to pay all the expenses. The Consuls protect themselves and hare not to pay any taxes in the municipality. The Parisian idea of the Commune was to hare a Government within Government^ which failed, "and this new attempt in,* Apia will fail as the municipal and the general Government laws will clash.