The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-01-24

REMAIN NEUTRAL
APIA (Island of Upola). October goth, 1876
| By the Ada May, your correspondent finds the
| first opportunity he has had for a long time to
send n letter to the United States. In our little
capital the English and Germans have been do
log everything in their power to overthrow the
| Samoan Government They would have accom-
plisLed their purpose long ago. but the Samoans
held out firmly: besides, they expected much
from the new Consul, the Hon. g. w. Griffin
Mr.. Griffin arrived here on the 2Sth September.
He was well received by the Samoans. They
invited him to their House of Government at
Mnnu Point. He accepted their invitation A
number of the citizens of the United States were
present at the meeting. Many had supposed
that the Consul had brought with him encourag.
ing news from the United States, but, to the
surprise OF every one, he told the Chiefs and
Governors of Samoa that he had been instructed
by the Department of State not to interfere in
any way with the affairs of the Government of
Samoa that his duties were strictly limited by
law. He assured them, however, Of the great
interest the President of the United States took
in the prosperity and happiness OF the people OF
Samoa.
The speaker of the Taimua and Faipue said
that he regretted very much that the enemies of
the Samoan Government had been doing their
utmost to disturb the peaceful relations OF their
country. That the English had been trying TO
rule them with an iron hand that the United
States was the only great nation that did not in
terfere with them and impose heavy Zines upon
them. He saiu that if the SamoaGs were left to
themselves that they could regulate their own
affairs in their own way that every one that re-
sided IN the islands could enjoy the blessings OF
good government, aud that the government OF
ha pannla IF Gon,no for fhof thav
abhorred war and would do all that they could
to promote peaceful relations with other coun-
tries. The United States Consul took leave OF
the Taimua and Faipue by expressing the hope
that their country would soon enjoy all the bless
ings that could be bestowed upon it by benig-
nant Providence He thanked them very kindly
for the warm and enthusiastic reception that
they had given him.
The Taimua and Faipue had, the day previous
to the visit of the U. s. Consul been advised by
the English and German Consuls to haul down
their flag, but they positively refused to do so.
They told the two COnsuls that it was the flag
Of their country; that all the people Of Samoa
loved and honored it that it had been accepted
by all the foreign Consuls residing in the islands
and by the Missionaries that it had been
saluted by the French and American men-of-
war, and that the entire nation would stand by
it to the last
A few days elapsed, and the German man-of-
war IIertha arrived. The TaImua aud Faipule
went on board TO see the captain, but he told
them that he had been instructed by the German
Consul not to salute their flag. The Taimua and
the Faipue said that they regretted his course,
and hoped that when be came to be further en-
lightened about the country he would salute
their flag.
A week after this the German Consul wrote
letter to the United States Consul, asking him
to cooperate with him and the Captain OF the
dertha and the English Consul in calling a
meeting for the purpose Of establishing an indie
pendent government IN Samoa The United
States Consul replied that he could not take
part in any such meeting that be would hold
himself aloof from all the different factions on the
Island aud would not interfere 10 any way. The
German Consul then addressed letter to the
Taimua and Fuipule telling them that they must
obey certain laws that they must not hold any
meeting between ValiIi and Munu Point that
they must not make any moro arrests, that they
should release all prisoners, and that they should
keep themselves free from interfering with Tree
speech and not carry any firearms. The Iaimua
and Faipule we're then told the German man-ot-
war would assist the Consul in carrying out these
rules The Samoans have thus far remained hrm
and will no doubt resist the wanton and uncalled
for interference with every means at their COM
mand.
ASKING THE PROTECTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Your correspondent has just heard that the
Taimus and Faipule have addressed letter to
the President Of the United States asking Tor
protection They tell the President that they
have good government and are strong through
out all Samoa, bat that they are weak compared