The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-12-13
From Samoa.

By the arrival Of the U. S. S. LackawanHa on the
11th inst from Apil, we have news from the Samoan
Islands TO the 14th Of October. The reports all
agree in that the only interests represented at the
Samoan Islands are German, q I'd the sending Of war
vessels to protect American Interests At that point is
absurd. News from the Island of Savsii Was very
meagre, nothing of Importance having transpired.
The various factions were concentrating their forces
on the island Of Upolu, and hostilities were on the
eve Of commencement when the LdckGUG anna left.
Cotton planters and cocOanut growers we're complain
ing Of the scarcity Of labor, although a brisk trade
was being carried on by the schooners Leila, Mary
anderson and Mary. in supplying that want with
people from the New HrbTides and Gilbert Group.
The schooner Sea WGg had touched at Drummond's
Island, and had obtained a small cargo of shells and
wood and ten laborers, aud was reported as being en-
route for Honolulu. Mr.. Lord, al agent Of the Cali
foruia Land Co, was reported as being at Upolu, al
so General Bartlett, an American. but their particu-
lar mission in that part Of the world was unknown.
All the cotton and cobra raised is Immediately ship
ped in German vessels, and to Germany, and as be-
fore said the oBly interests at present represented on
the Samoan islands are to all intents and purposes
German, and require no attention or interference
from the United States.
Z. NJ Dawson, formerly Of San Francisco, is Amer
lean consul at Apia. On the 18th, Of September,
Gen. Jos. J. Bartlett was arrested and brought be-
fore the Consul on a complaint by Malietoa, the King
(whose title BY the way, is disputed by a powerful
party who in bis complaint set forth that Bartlett
was . a foreign leader Of troops This war is about
to break out, and blood TO be split on account Of the
leading astray Of others which is still being carried
on by that foreigner, as also his melting words to
that people. For this reason | hereby imp lore your
Excellencies TO befriend Us and make it possible for
that foreigner TO be removed from Samoa" A trial
was had before the Consul lasting several days, and
resulted in the complaint being dismissed.
Apia, it seems, constitutes a 90 Neutral Territory"
over which the foreign Cousuls take turns in exercis-
ing jurisdiction as Police Magistrates, so that each
week there is a different ellis Honor on the bench
The settlement boasts a weekly paper, The Samoa
Times not quite so large as the HglCaitdn Gazette,
the subscription price of which is SO per annum in
advance, or So credit. Ia the issue Of September
81, we find the following paragrsp phi Of interest
BY the Levuka from RotumAh we learn [sAys the Fiji
TinesI, that the people of Rotumah have made an offer
OF cessiOn Of their country to Queen Victoria, and that
the offer has been taken on by II. NJ. 5. Conflict. We
must express cur hope that this lie correct. and that the
offer will not be hastily rejected by her Msjesty's
Government from fear of further extension OF Empire
alone. Rotumah is a very fine island and naturally be-
longs 10 the Fiji group.