SAMOAN QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2590, 16 February 1889, Page 3

SAMOAN QUESTION.

* (by Kurniio i'[-:r.Ki:itAi'i!.— corvitKiiiT). London*, February 11. Mr Klein, tlio American Press corrosponJont, has been compelled to go on board the American nian-o'-wur Mipsic for safety. Mataafa is strengthening his position and forming paths through the Lush, to enable supplies to be easily obtained. The (Jerman authorities have recalled Horr Brandeis. Sylskv, February 15. News by the Lubook from Samoa states that a seaman named Sale lias been arrested for causing the tire at the Consulate. The damage is estimated at 100,000 dollars. It is feared that a native rising is about to take place in Tuitula, owing to some of Tamasese's men having imprisoned a number of the adherents of IWatn.afa. The number of followers of Taraasc.se are rapidly decreasing, and unless Germany goes to his assistance it is believed that those remaining will quietly return to their homes, leaving Mataafa master of the position without a shot being fired.

The arrival of the s.s. Richmond in Auckland with full particulars of the late incidents at Samoa has put a less serious complexion upon the acts of the Germans than was the case .in receipt of the accounts first published in the Auckland papers. There does not appear to h.ivo been the need for any fjivat outburst of bcliic >se passions and vapouring to which the public in town has been treated. Mr Collins,', the Hamilton town clerk, returned home on Wednesday none the worse for the exciting little adventure with the Germans which has covered him with unspeakable fame. Ho was congratulated bv his friends on his safe return. Whilst in Auckland, Mr Gelling pa\e the following account of the affair to a Herald reporter :—He said : I was a roundtrip passeiif-cr by Mie Richmond, and on ari-ivin,','nt Apia, Samoa, I went to see Mataafa's camp and fortifications. While there I was introduced to Mataafa, and held some conversation with him. After a little talk I told him that the press and people of New Zealand were in entire sympathy with hi ai, and it would be a tjood idea if he and his people sent a memorial to Sir George Grey, who was a most humane man, and took a preat interest in the welfare of the natives of the South Pacific. Mataafa said he and his chiefs would consider tho proposal, and as they were all seated around they heard the conversation and hifjhiy approved of the suggestion. Mataafa told me to tell the people of New Zealand that ho was very thankful for their sympathy, and that he would drop fighting to-morrow if Tamasepe were removed. At the close of this interview I returned to the Richmond. Next morning, between (i and 7, while I was in the bathroom of the Richmond, a German officer and boat's crew came on board, and told me he would give me a quarter of an hour to get drcsi-cd, and come into the boat. 1 dressed, and vient to the gangway, and there protested against being taken from a British -hip, and from under the Bufish flag, without being first permitted to see tho British Consul. The officer said he liop.'d I would make no difficulty, as his orders were imperative. 1. was then taken on board tho Adler and met by Dr. Knappe. After being interrogated as to my vbit to Mataafa's camp, I was taken into the cabin, and there a deposition was taken down in writing, in the presence of Captain Frit/, and another officer. This deposition was read over to inn, and T was called upon to sign it, winch I did. I was then informed that I would be tried by-court-martial later in the day, aud was told to write and send an order for my lugffage to tho Richmond. In doing so I appealed to Captain Hutton to communicate with the English Consul. This letter was torn up, and I was told to confine myself to an order for uiy luggage. The luggage was brought on board, and they ga" eme some, breakfast. Afterwards I was placed on the poop, and a sentry sot over me with a drawn cutlass. The court martial then sat, consisting of three German officers ;and immediately afterwards Capt. Hand, of the Royalist, and Capt. Mullins, of tho Nipsic, came on board, and expostulated against tho terms of the German proclamation of wai or state of siege, and asked for my release, which was refused. They then went ashore. About midday. Captain Fritz sent for me down to the cabin, and read to me the finding of the court martial, which was to the effect that, although found guilty of a breach of martial law, the Court was of opiijionthat I had no sinister motive in visiting the ''rebels" camp. I used the word Mataafa's camp, but the Germans interposed, and would persist in calling them " rebels." Captain Fritz said lie would release me, and ho hoped it would be a caution to other British subjects not to interfere or meddle with Samoau affairs. The Germans sent me in a boat to the Richmond, where I was received with loud huz/.is. I wish to state tliat on board the Adler I did not receive any harsh treatment from the ol'ioes or men in the carrying out of their instructions.