§ MR. HOGANI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the latest reports in his possession with reference to the condition of the exiled Samoan chief Mataafa; is Mataafa still detained under German guards in the island of Jaluit; and, is there any immediate prospect of his being permitted to return to Samoa? The hon. Member further asked whether the Under Secretary had received any official information corroborating the telegraphed statement that King Malietoa had given permission to Mataafa and the other exiled chiefs to return to Samoa, and that opposition to their return had been raised by the British, German, and United States Consuls; and, if so, whether he can state the grounds on which such opposition is based?
MR. CURZONNo report has been received with reference to Mataafa since the hon. Member put his Question in the House on February 20th, 1896; and we have not hoard either of permission having been given to Mataafa to return to Samoa, or of opposition having been raised by the foreign Consuls. Mataafa is still on Jaluit, and there is no immediate prospect of his being permitted to return.