The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1884-01-07
Chs 9aiig $nlletin.
MONDAY, JAN. z, 1884.
LORD nERRYS DISSIPATION,


the tulncoat lord is celebrated. We |
have some small influence in the |
Colonial Office, and by pretty little |
backstairs intrigue we are now en-
abled to present our readers with an
amended version of the (like the
GcSette office despatch.
Downing ST., Aug. 3lst, 1888.
GENTLEMEN. am directed by
the Earl of Derby to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 21st
July, placing before his Lordship
the representations with regard to
New Guinea, and the islands
in the Western Pacific Ocean, which
you had promised during your recent
interview Lord Derby, though he
recognises your care and ability,
does not perceive that they call for
any special remark, as he has quite
made up his mind as to the course to
be pursued. He would remind the
Agents-General that such trivial con-
siderations as facts can hardly in
fiuence the policy of the Cabinet
which he honours by being mem
Der of. l may, however, inform
you that rs your recapitulation of
the past history of the part of the
globe you represent is somewhat in
teresting as well as faithful, he has
transmitted copies to the British
Museum and the Bodleian. He
trusts this will completely meet the
wishes of our vast Australian colo
MES.
Turning to your inquiry as to the
extent 10 which the claims of Foreign
Powers in your part of the world
have been recognised by Her Maj
esty's Government, his Lordship is
disposed to doubt whether you pos
sess any claim to information on this
point.
Referring, however, first to the
islands of the Western Pacific,
consular influence has from time to
time been exercised over public and
private affairs at Samoa. Thus
recognised by European diplomacy,
these islands have become an indie
pendent state. Its annexation by
any Power would therefore hardly
call for our interference, it being
one of the main tenets of Her Maj
esty's Government to look with
favour upon annexation by any other
Power than tho RritiSh
The Government of the rongan or
Friendly Islands being also indie
pendent, Lord Derby will view with
equal Indifference any attempt at
annexation which other Powers may
indulge in that part Of the world.
Proceeding westward We come to
the New Hebrides. About these
islands you appear to know as much
as Lord Derby cares to tell you.
The Loyalty Islands being close to a
French settlement, may just as well
be considered French.
The foregoing brief but courteous
statement is quite sufficient to ex-
plain to you that Lord Derby is
much more careful of the claims and
interests of other Powers than of that
country OF which you form an alto
gether insignificant portion. You do
not specifically refer to many of the
Western Pacific Islands, but as these
are OF large size and great value,
their annexation is neither desirable
or necessary. Her Majesty's Gov
eminent have no evidence to show
that the Governments of the Austria
Ian Colonies understand the ques-
lions they have instructed you upon
at all, and they decline to allow their
policy to be altered by the public
opinion of few paltry millions of
colonists. 1t is far easier to evade
responsibilities than to take the
trouble of considering them. Lord
Derby trusts he has made this sufii-
ciently plain in the foregoing.
With reference to that part OF
YOUR letter which treats of New
Guinea, Lord Derby desires me to
observe that he has at present
nothing to add to his despatch dated
July 18th. He absolutely declines
any responsibility for any course that
may be taken. If any of Her Males
tvs colonies choose to furnish an
effective guarantee for any expendi-
ture that may be incurred, they may
undertake such measures as may
meet with his Lordship's approval
They may also make any proposals
they choose with regard to the Other
islands mentioned, in which case
Lord Derby will give the matter his
usual courteous attention, but thai
is as far as his Lordship feels HIM
self justified in proceeding
am to add that Lord Derby has
raad with amuaamQnf VnlIr reDroSel.