The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-02-20


December the King and the Govern
ment decided to remove from the
land in question, and occupy ground
at Apia belonging to the natives.
On the following day, between three
and four o'clock, this decision was
given effect to. The Samoan flag
was then hoisted on new premises.
Immediately after the German Con-
sui requested that the flag might be
pulled down. On this request being
refused the officer in question went
on board the Albatross. BY this
time the natives had become very
much excited. They had armed
themselves, and were bent on de-
Tending their flag. The English and
American Consuls advised that the
natives should remain quiet, or
otherwise trouble would probably
arise. The King then instructed
member of the Government 81. L.
Upolu, whose signature is attached
to this letter) to call upon the
natives, numbering over 800, to lay
down their arms. Upon these in
structions being given they were
fortunately obeyed. Shortly after
wards boats crew, under arms,
came off from the Albatross, accom-
panied by the German Consul. He
was waited upon by the English and
American Consuls, who protested in
vain against his proceedings. He
then requested the King to pull
down the flag. The demand not
being complied with, the Consul
gave instructions to one of the
sailors, who then and there pulled
down the Samoan flag.
AS Your Excellency may suppose,
the King, the Government, and the
natives felt the indignity very
keenly. The proceeding, moreover,
was in direct violation of treaty
which had been entered into with
Germany, one of the terms of which
was that we were to fly our own
flag. Under the circumstances a
meeting of the King and several
members of the Government was at
once held to consider the state of
affairs. After discussing matters,
it was decided that two members of
the Government should at once be
despatched to the New Zealand Gov
eminent for the purpose of stating
what had occurred, and Of repre-
senting the desirability of having
Samoa annexed to New Zealand.
This mission, we, the undersigned,
we're selected to carry out. We
wish at the same time to state that
the usual mail left Apia early on
the 31st December last, carrying
dispatches to Germany, which could
not, of course, contain any intelli-
gence of the outrage, as it had not
been committed until after the mail
had left. We started from Apia on
January 1, and fortunately sue
ceeded in catching the mail steamer
Mariposa at Tutuila, by which we
came on to Auckland, and as Your
Excellency is aware, we arrived in
Wellington on the 14th instant.
From the foregoing narrative, it
will be seen what a very unsatis-
factory state the Samoan Govern
ment is in at present, owing to the
unwarrantable proceeding on the
part of the German authorities. We
feel pursuaded that unless some
measures are promptly taken to as
sist us, the Samoan people will
suffer humiliation at the hands of
Germany, and that instead of ouI
advancing in civilization, as we wish
to do, we shall be oppressed by a
power that has already treated us
most unjustly. We would respect
fully suggest that steps should be
Immediately taken bs the Colonial
Government to inquire at Samos
into the administration of its affairs
in order to obtain for itself informa'
ton on the subject. We would also
recommend that an inquiry should
be made with regard to the pro
auctions and resources of our coun'
try, as we believe that large trade
comparatively speaking, might be
carried ON between Samoa and New
Zealand, which would be mutually
advantageous.
We wish to convey our thanks tt
your Excellency and to the Govern
ment for the kind reception which
has been given us. In conclusion
we have to ask your Excellency tt
be good enough to lay this communi
cation before the colonial Govern
incentive have the honor to be
etc., TULETUFUGA UPoLU (advisel
to King Malietoa, and member O.
the Government), SEU MANUTAPI
(member of the Government ant
Governor of Samoa).
l have ascertained that the abov,
statement was duly laid before tn,