The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-02-22

sO-called democracy, If the Friendly and
Navigator Islands were granted q plebis-
cite tomorrow there would be an enoT-
nous majority in favor Of British rule.
There is no doubt whatever that when
England annexed Fiji she should have
taken the two other groups OF islands
and consolidated them all under one
rule.
But there was one objectionable crime
of which Malietoa was guilty, which
nothing else could condone. He was
determined that the rights of his British
and American friends should be re-
spected, and he was unwilling to place
himself as helpless puppet in the hands
of the German firm. 1t appears that
about three years ago MalietCa was in
duced to sign some document which
placed him under some kind OF contract
to the Emperor of Germany. On further
consideration he came to the conclusion
that everything was not exactly as 1t had
been explained, and that he was really
playing into the hands OF his enemies.
He Immediately wrote to the Emperor
Withdrawing his consent, and at the
same time appealed 10 England for pro-
lection, actually offering to place himself
under our rule. 1t is very clear from
subsequent
ment the Germans perceived that ii they
required a political puppet, simply to re-
gister their enactmeuts, they would have
to find an easier dupe than Malietoa.
Then was evidently formed the design
to depose the one and to place the other
on the throne.
AS is we'll known, on or about Septem-
Der l, Immediately after the Lubbock de-
parted for Sydney, and when all ordin-
airy communication with Samoa was
stopped for several weeks, the cOmmO-
dore OF the German feet sent on shore a
written demand on MalietOa for the pay
ment of $4,000, of which $12 900 repre-
scented sundry petty offences against the
firms plantations, stealing cOcOanuts,
etc, and the other 81 900 as indemnity
for injury to a Germans nose. 1t must
be understood that the currency III these
islands is very restricted, and the almost
universal coin is the CHILEAN dollar But
as there are no banks, the safes OF the
merchants and traders are the only
places where these are kept in large
quantities, and it is questionable whether
any one firm could have managed on
immediate demand to find such large
sum without very great Inconvenience.
Under these, or even under any clrCUm-
stances, and from humanitarian point
of view, more especially when dealing
with a native, and anxious to impress
ideas of European Justice, all fair and
reasonable time should have been given
in order to collect and hand over this in
demnity. But those were not the ideas
at Berlin. MalietOa asked for enc week
to consult his chiefs. Ii given reasonable
time and the payment were inevitable, L
can vouch for one firm that would have
advanced the money, as 6rst-class Sc
curitv could have been obtained. and the
natives would have been willing to have
sold or mortgaged everything they pos
sessed. But within twenty-four hours
after making the demand, and without
paying any attention to the kings re-
quest, war was declared, and almost
Immediately 700 troops or marines were
landed, and dash made upon the native
Government House."
Within twenty-four hours of the first
landing of troops a proclamation was
issued, depOsing Mahetoa and proclaim
ing Tamasese as king. This was another
piece of outrageous cruelty, because by
this means Malietoa and his followers
were not only called upon to fight IS
ordinary belligerents but were now placed
III the position of rebels. If the object
had been to drive him to desperation and
create bloody war of partial cXtermins~
ton among the natives, u0thing1Z
crafty could have been desiegysg-@d ID
although events turned s,iiI
than could have t.san av i,lT 10 dis dis
,oan+ -. -dat the policy OF the Govern
- at Berlin, whether Intentionally or
not, was entirely calculated to bring the
two opposing forces Of these half-tutored
natives into violent collision and thereby
to have created scenes of horror and
bloodshed throughout the whole group
of islands.
The righteousness of the means
by which the German claims were
sought to be enforced is well shown
up in the above extracts. The I'M
reasonableness of at least a portion
Of the claims themselves can be seen
from the following:
Let us examine one OF the charges.
On the last annual celebration of the
Emperor's birthday, some patriotic Ger
mans, in order to show their loyalty
according to the usual custom, imbibed
a larger quantity of lager beer than was
good for them. In the overflow OF their
feelings they very tOOlIShiy gave drink 10
the natives, on whom it had the usual
effect. a general scrimmage of more
or less friendly character ensued, and
before the disturbance ended bottle Il
presume empty was thrown, which in
| jured Germans nose. Now it is not
| very wonderful that up 10 the present
/ time it is hotly disputed whether the
/ bottle was thrown by a native or a Ger
man. If it is true, as | have every rea-
| sou to believe, that the Germans gave the
| natives drink, then certainly most rea-
! sonable people will conclude that they
! deserve no consideration from any re-
/ spectacle government.
The conclusions Of the writer are
stated clearly, and are of nature to
command assent from disinterested
and fair minded people. AS this
portion of the paper viii not we'll
bear abridgement, we give it entire
will now state what seems to me,
without further information, is the cause
OF all these rapid and high-handed pro
ceedings.
1t has been generally understood that
at the conference in Washington, Ger
many would be placed in the position Of
mandatory power, with the view of form
ing a strong EurOpean-native govern
ment, agreeable to al the other nation
alities. But If that course had been de.