HC Deb 07 March 1889 vol 333 c1122
MR. WILLIAM M'ARTHUR (Cornwall, Mid, St. Austell)

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government had any information as to a truce alleged to have been concluded between the German Consul and Mataafa, King of Samoa; whether they have any information as to the present place of detention of the ex-King Malietoa; and whether they have ever asked from the German Government any undertaking that he should be well treated while detained by them?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

We have no information of the conclusion of a truce between the German Consul in Samoa and the Chief Mataafa. We have heard that the ex-King Malietoa has been conveyed to the Marshall Islands. Her Majesty's Government have never asked the German Government that Malietoa should be well treated while detained by them. We have no reason to doubt his fair treatment, but we have no special right to interfere on his behalf. We have heard indirectly that while in Germany he received very handsome entertainment.