§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if Her Majesty's Government is aware that another King has been elected in Samoa in opposition to Malietoa, at German instigation, in the person of young Tamasese; if he is also aware that Herr Brandeis, whose endeavours to annex Samoa to Germany some years ago were only defeated by the action of the United States, is returning to Samoa next month in the capacity of Chief Justice: if Her Majesty's Government has agreed to the annexation of Samoa by Germany; and, if not, what steps does it propose to take to prevent such annexation?