The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-04-22

little education among the masses, but the
missionaries have established few schools
for children. The Wesleyan missionaries
are not very successful in making converts,
but they have succeeded in getting rich.
Their principal missionary, Mr.. Langham,
owns nearly all Leyuka. Father Bria, a
Catholic priest, has been on the island for
fifty years, and is greatly loved and res
pected by the natives. With n number OF
Christian brothers he does very goodwurk. "
PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Who is the present Governor of the
islands,"
We'll, at present, the islands are i'll a
very bad way, the last Governor, Devoe,
who succeeded Sir Arthur Gordon, having
left about month ago The islands are
now ruled by DR.. MacGregor, a Govern
ment officer. The future Of the islands is
uncertain The majority Of the Intelligent
people there are in favor of annexing the
group to New Zealand, but the end IS not
yet clear
SAMOA.
Relative to the statements which had
been called relative to the annexation of
Samoa by Germany and the hosting Of
the German flag over the Samoan Islands,
Mr.. Van Camp said:
That is not so.n Although since l
landed here l find the whole civilized
world believes that Germany has taken
possession of the Samoan islands. Before
l left the Feejec islands, about six weeks
ago, the Captain Of a trading schooner
then Just from Apia, Samoa, told me Of an
incident which probably gave rise 10 the
report that Germany had occupied Samoa.
The Godefroys of Hamburg are the prin-
cipal traders at Apia, on Upolu, the prin-
cipal Samoan island, and have been for
fifty years. Some time ago King Mallatoa
sold the GOdefrOys a large amount of land
and recently attempted TO take part Of it
back. or condemn it for site for Gov
eminent building The GOdefroys' objec
ted and at their instance the German Con
sui asked the commander of a German
man of war to send some marines ashore
and hoist German flag over the Code
froys land. This was done and this is all,
so far as l learned WIS in constant
communication with Upoiu up to the time
Of my departure and in fact our steamer
stopped to let off a passenger on the up
trip at Tutuila, one of the Feejee islands.
If anything like fOrcible occupation OF
the islands had taken place would have
heard of it before l left, and certainly the
surfbOat that took the passenger from our
steamer would have given Us the news.
But even if l had not heard what be
ieyed to be the origin Of the report /
should not believe that Germany had
hoisted her flag over the islands without
first consulting with the United States. 1t
does not appear to be remembered here
that the United States has treaty with
Samoa, by which our Government had
given it a coaling station in the bay Of
Of Pangopsngo, in the island Of Tutuila
That treaty was made in Washington
about SIX years ago, ambassador Mamos
acting for the islands. | accompanied
AIamoa to Apia from Panama, on the
United States steamer Adams, and ives
present when the treaty was ratified by
the King and chiefs That gave the
United States an important interest in Sa-
moa which the Germans would not be
likely to overlook or interfere with. /
have seen it stated in print since my re-
turn that there are 5000 native popula-
ton on the Samoan islands. There are
not over 22,OOO at the utmost, and not
over 22O whites at Apia, instead Of over
1000, as l have seen it stated"