HC Deb 07 May 1888 vol 325 cc1471-2
MR. W. A. M'ARTHUR (Cornwall, Mid, St. Austell)

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the agreements of 1879 and 1883 between Great Britain, Germany, the United States, and Samoa were all signed by Mahitoa as King of Samoa; whether the Government have ever had any reason to complain of the non-fulfilment by Mahitoa of any part of those agreements; whether the attention of the Government has been called to a Proclamation issued to the Samoans on the 25th of August, 1887, and signed by the British pro-Consul, Mr. H. Wilson, in which occurred these words— Now, therefore, we, the undersigned representatives of the United States of America and Great Britain, hereby give notice that we and our Governments do not and never have recognized Tamasese as King of Samoa, but continue as heretofore to recognize Mahitoa; whether the consent of the British and United States Governments was asked for by Germany prior to the seizure and deportation of Mahitoa by a German ship of war; whether the Government propose to acquiesce in the action of Germany; whether they know that a large majority of the Samoan people are in favour of Mahitoa as against Tamasese; whether Mahitoa has repeatedly wished to take measures with regard to Tamasese, but has been restrained by the repeated assurances of the English Consul that if peace were kept in the Island the influence of England should always be used to preserve Mahitoa's right to the Throne; whether the British Government have ceased to recognize Mahitoa as King of Samoa; if so, when and why; and, whether the Government regard the Convention as being still in force as between Great Britain, the United States, and Samoa?

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

The first, second, and fourth Questions of the hon. Gentleman must be answered in the negative. Her Majesty's Government have seen no cause to take part on either side in the differences between King Mahitoa and the Emperor of Germany. At present Tamasese is the King de facto, and will be recognized as such in practice by Her Majesty's Government, according to the ordinary Rules. No change has taken place in the Treaty relations between England, Germany, and the United States in regard to Samoa.

MR. W. A. M'ARTHUR

inquired, whether Her Majesty's Government had no cognizance of the agreement that had been come to not to recognize Tamasese?

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

No, Sir. Well, Sir, Her Majesty's Government were informed in this country of the intention of the Government of Germany to ask for satisfaction from King Mahitoa.

MR. W. A. M'ARTHUR

Yes, Sir; but what I want to know is, whether Her Majesty's Government propose to disavow the action of their Representative?

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

I may say that, owing to the delay of the telegram informing the Consul, he took action on his own responsibility. Owing to the delay in sending the telegram from New Zealand to Samoa, he was not informed of the intentions of Germany.