HC Deb 12 September 1887 vol 321 c265
DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

had on the Paper the following Question:—To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the account received is true—namely, that the German Squadron have landed 500 armed men in Samoa, have declared war against Malietoa, the reigning King, and have proclaimed Tamasese, his rival, as King; whether it is true that the former wished to resist, but, owing to a proclamation issued by the English Consul, which declared the English Government would not accept the German nominee, King Tamasese, the late Monarch, Malietoa, has not taken action, but has thrown the responsibility of his deposition upon the English Government; and, what steps are being taken to prevent undue acrimony and friction with the German Local Authorities, whose opinion has been enforced by the positive action of a German Naval Squadron? The hon. Gentleman said: As I see that Her Majesty's Government are afraid of Germany, I beg to postpone the Question.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order !

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)

The hon. Gentleman has put a Question on the Paper, and it is not right that it should remain unanswered. I have already given to the House all the information on the subject possessed by Her Majesty's Government. Her Majesty's Consul has been instructed to observe a strict neutrality. Her Majesty's Government have received assurances from the German Government that the foreign relations of Samoa, especially those with the three Treaty Powers, would not be affected by their action.

DR. TANNER

Then, are we to understand that Her Majesty's Government have cried "Peccavi" to the German Consul?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!