TROUBLE IN GERMAN SAMOA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3125, 27 February 1909, Page 5

TROUBLE IN GERMAN SAMOA.

DANGER OF "TRIFLING RUMOURS." By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 26. Referring to the trouble in German Samra, a passenger by the Tofua said:—"Quite a number of whites have been up and seriously questioned, even charged with sedition. One man was gravely charged with having dropped the remark to a single native that the Government Treasury was like a leaky bucket —it was always empty. He denied the charge and the matter ended. A German commercial traveller was charged with having said that three German warships were to arrive, and that Mr 3 Solf was going home on account of native troubles. This was regarded as seditious. He denied having mentioned Mrs Solf, and said he had merely enquired of an official if a rumour going about town was true that three warships were to come. Other German residents were seriously questioned about these trifling rumours, and one announced that the Governor's cook had told him, and that the cook had it from the housemaid, who had the story from Mrs Solf herself. The seditionists were thus acquitted. What all the people want and want badly is peace," added the passenger, "but there will only be a devastating war if Governor Solf undertakes to rule there with warships to back him. It would be singular to find Germany located in the midst of prosperous British and American colonies struggling with warships to enforce terms and maintain her rule."