The Westport Times. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 687, 21 July 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1870.

"We learn by the mail that Prussia is about to assume the protectorate of the Fijis. A corvitte called the Bertha haa been sent out to examine the state and prospects of the islands, and if, on her return, the report be favorable, it will be decided to found a German Colony in the South Pacific. There is no doubt that the presence of a large native population has hitherto deterred Great Britain, France, or America from assuming control of these fertile islands, and as the European population increases, so will the danger of misunderstandings arising between the latter and the original owners ot the soil. This dangar it is to be feared will become greater if the sovereignty is assumed by a strong military and despotic power. Although inexperienced in the work of colonization, there is sufficient evidence that the Germanic races make the bast of colonists, so that in the matter of populating these island, with persevering and industrious settlers, Prussia possesses facilities possibly equal to Great Britain or Holland, and certainly crenter than any other nation. The Prussian Government, if judged by their past history, are not likely to prove the most moderate rulers; neither if self-interest point that way would they be likely, after endangering the lives and property of the colonists by what may very likely prove an arbitrary and tyrannical mode of dealing with the native population, to possess any great si-ruples in leaving the colonists to deal singlehanded with the difficulties to which the mode of government had so largely contributed. Their policy, initiated by that princely I'reebooter whom Prussians love to designate as Frederick " the Great" has not been one calculated to call forth the admiration of disinterested spectators. While carefully avoiding possible hostilities with France and Russia and observing a strict neutrality as between these powers she has seized with avidity any possible pretext for the spoliation of weaker and comparatively defenceless states. If the Protectorate of the i Fijis is to be assumed by any nation, 1 Prussia is the least desirable one to undertake the duties and responsibility.