THE period of Samoan history which now claims attention differs entirely from its predecessor. German tactics had failed. On all sides, both in Europe and in Samoa, there was a great desire to settle differences and bring peace, to the vexed islands. Kimberley in fact set about it a few days after the the storm and it is to his credit and that of his Vice-Consul Blacklock that a truce was effected between the rival native forces. They visited Tamasese at his camp and practically arranged for a cessation of hostilities,

Matters went quietly at Apia throughout the rest of 1889, though not without some bickering. On August 11th Laupepa was returned by German gunboat from the Marshalls, landed at Apia and turned adrift to his own devices. But this led to no native confusion. Laupepa and the chiefs who had shared his exile were that day met by Mataafa, and Malietoa and Mataafa like two children walked hand in hand to the house of a British trader by whom they had been invited to dine. Thereafter at least for a time, they dwelt together in peace.

But the relation between the two, if beautiful, was in no way secure. Mataafa had acted practically in the role of general for Laupepa, whose rank was undoubtedly higher. Laupepa had no personal love for the kingship; Mataafa was at once bold and ambitious. In November Malietoa abdicated in favour of his champion, but the abdication does not seem to have been quite accepted, for Laupepa continued as king Mataafa retaining much of the power.

In the meantime the three Powers had also had more than enough of Samoan troubles. At the invitation of Germany it was resolved to recommence in Berlin the conference begun at Washington in June 1887. By 14th June 1889 the conference had concluded its labours in an important treaty which is intituled "The Final Act of The Berlin Conference on Samoan Affairs," and is move usually known in the group as '76 Berlin General Act."

The scope of the Act is extensive, for it was meant to afford a complete solution of existing difficulties. As an immediate measure, it declared the neutrality and independence of Samoa and "the free right of the natives to elect their Chief or King, and to choose their form of government according to their own laws and customs," and settled the temporary recognition of Malietoa, Laupepa as king in accordance with the Lackawanna treaty of July 1881 until the three Powers should by common accord otherwise declare and his successor be duly elected according to the laws and customs of Samoa. It then proceeded to provide a form of government on somewhat novel lines.

It established a Supreme Court with a jurisdiction of all future questions, civil or criminal, arising under the detailed jurisdiction conferred by the Act, which particularly included disputes respecting the rightful election or appointment of the king and differences between a treaty power and the government of Samoa. The Court was to be under the presidency of a Chief Justice, this officer to be named by agreement of the three Treaty Powers, or, failing their agreement, by the King of Sweden and Norway. The condition of the appointment was that "he shall be learned in law and equity, of mature years, and of good repute for his sense of honour, impartiality and justice": a wide but essential qualification. His decision on questions within his jurisdiction was to he final. He also had the power of recommending laws to the Government for the precaution of good order and collection of taxes outside the Municipal District.

It wisely endeavoured to reasonably preserve to the natives the lands to which they were rightly entitled. To this end it prohibited all future alienations of land to foreigners except the sale or lease of lands within the municipality when approved by the Chief justice and the proper lease for a term not exceeding forty years of surplus agricultural lands when approved by the chief executive authority and by the Chief Justice.

There being many outstanding land claims by foreigners, the Act provided machinery for the settlement of these and of all titles to lands of foreigners. It advised the appointment of a Commission, to consist of three nominees of the three Treaty Powers and a Natives' Advocate to be appointed by the King with the approval of the Chief Justice. The duty of the Commission was to investigate within two years all claims of foreigners to lands howsoever acquired and to report to the Court thereon, the Court to decide disputed claims and to make provision for a complete registry of all valid titles to lands owned by foreigners. Claims not presented within the prescribed times were barred.

The Act also provided for the creation of a Municipal District of Apia and its local administration by a Municipal Council consisting of six elected local members and a foreign President appointed under the provisions of the Act. The President had large administrative powers. A municipal magistrate with a limited jurisdiction was also provided for.

Finally the Act made Provision for taxation and revenue, and expressly prohibited the sale of arms, ammunition and intoxicating liquor to the natives.

For ten years the Act formed the constitution of Samoa and the patience of the reader has in the above lengthy statement of its terms been taxed on that ground alone. Instructions reached the Consuls at Apia on 7th November 1889. As we have seen Laupepa had then returned. The resumption of the conference was known to all, including both parties of the natives who were waiting advices from the Consuls. The arrival of the instructions found everyone, including the now unimportant Tamasese, keen to carry them out, and in November 1889 a year of double disaster closed with King Malietoa Laupepa upon his throne and peace and quiet throughout Samoa.

Little occurred in 1890 to disturb the calm. In May the revenue regulations were put into force, but native taxation remained in abeyance. In the latter months of the year some irritation, native as well as white, was evidenced at the non-arrival of the high officials provided for by the Act, but this was relieved with the arrival at the New Year of the first Chief Justice, Conrad Cedererantz, and four months later of the first President of the Municipal Council, Baron Senfft von Pilsach.

The year 1891 also opened favourably, and for some months matters apparently went smoothly. The three Land Commissioners appointed under the Berlin Act arrived in Samoa and commenced their work. The final meeting was held on December 5th 1894, by which time the Commissioners had dealt with just short of four thousand claims. Their work was as well done as circumstances allowed. Its importance and value to Samoa can hardly be exaggerated for it standardised all foreign titles throughout the group. The expenses of the Commission were borne by the Three Powers. In April Tamasese died. Peace reigned, but beneath the seeming peace there was a deep undercurrent of native disaffection. Mataafa without doubt was secretly strengthening his position, and that, at first, without great opposition from Laupepa. It is impossible to indulge in heroics for either side. Laupepa proceeded regularly, backed by the support of the Consuls. Mataafa, secretly scheming, felt the great weakness of his position at Apia. On May 31st he accordingly changed ground to Malie, the ancient home of the Milietoa family, and with him he took certain political prisoners from their confinement in the royal gaol. The effect was twofold. It created Mataafa a candidate for kingship and it demonstrated his defiance of the existing government. At the representation of the Consuls he modified his attitude. He sent back the prisoners and even himself returned to Apia for a two days conference with the Government. But on the main issue he stood firm. He would remain peaceful, but he appealed to the free right of election by the Samoans given by the Berlin General Act.

Let us look at Mataafa's position for the time being. He still wore the mantle of the conqueror of Vailele. He had filled the position vacated by Laupepa, ably and with a wise self-restraint. He had overturned the alliance of Tamasese, Brandeis and German interests. In the eyes of his countrymen he was still a victor; by rank, by achievement, he was of great influence among them. White man coquetted with him, for purposes of profit or notoriety. But be was not yet king; his personal following was very far from preponderating; and there is little doubt that his right to succession was, at this time at any rate, regarded by the Samoans generally as inferior to that of Malietoa.

Mataafa, then, was established at Malie. The American Consul wished to have the pretender's claims submitted by the Consuls to their respective Powers, but the German Consul was firm that "Germany would not consent to the consideration of Mataafa's claim under any circumstances," and in view of the difficulties attending the establishment, of Mataafa, even should his claim he recognised by the Powers, and of the inadvisability of giving fresh encouragement to the opposition, the American Consul desisted. The three Consuls thereupon issued a Proclamation declaring that there was but one king in Samoa, and he Malictoa Laupepa.

For two years matters remained in this unsatisfactory position. The action of the Consuls was ratified from their Home Governments. But there was constant irritation, In September the deportation to the Tokelaus of five unruly Mataafan chieftains from Manono raised some excitement among the followers of Mataafa but it died away. Both Mataafa and Laupepa now canvassed for following. Early in 1892 the Government sent word all ever the group that Mataafan villages should be destroyed, livestock killedl and the people driven out and forced to go to Malie. This was done, and it summarily confined the power of Mataafa, prevented the growth of disaffection, and strengthened the hands of the Government. Meanwhile politics and unseemly quarrels engaged the whites, politics governmental and municipal, quarrels universal. The Chief Justice found himself in a position of extreme difficulty and delicacy. On one side were the Consuls, until recently divided among themselves and now banded only by the terms of the Berlin Treaty. On another was the king, not too firmly established on his throne and with a pretender in active opposition. On yet another were one or more of the powers themselves in the persons of captains of whatever ships of war might be in the port. Quot homines, tot sententiae. He had no Courthouse, no staff, no body of laws, no roles of procedure. And he was subject, as he quickly found, to criticism by whomsoever cared to criticise. Soon the local paper was open and even scurrilous in attack. A pretty position for a judiciary! And he did what possibly was, most fatal of all - he delayed. Had he opened his Court and gone ahead the result would probably have been the same, but at any rate he would have been in order. There is no doubt that he worked, but apparently he misjudged the length of time at his disposal. Then possibly he became the subject of mixed feelings and being a man of some parts he watched his opportunity outside. In 1893 he left Samoa and it is understood acquired an important position in Europe.

Meanwhile, in 1892, the general irritation was increased by depletion of the Treasury. While the native capitation was paid the finances of Samoa were ample and the incidence of taxation easy. But when the Mataafan element withheld payment the Government was threatened with bankruptcy. The President of the Council then applied for the decision of the Chief Justice as to whether the import and export duties provided by the Berlin Act should not be for the use of the Samoan Government instead of for the Municipality, and the Chief Justice ruled in favour of the Government. The members of the Municipal Council, and the Consuls too, talked, wrote, and threatened, but the Government was temporarily saved from bankruptcy and later an adjustment suitable to all parties was made.

The year 1892 closed in general dissatisfaction. With the new year came skirmishes between the rival native parties on Tutuila and elsewhere. On 26th April 1893 Mataafa hoisted his flag as king at Malie and both sides made preparation for war.

By July war was certain. On Saturday, the 8th, the government forces in number exceeding. probably, one thousand strong attacked a considerably less force of Mataafans at Vailele and completely defeated and routed them. Malie was evacuated and Mataafa with some of his chieftains and a small remnant of his forces fled to Manono. From there he attempted to land on Savaii, but was warned that if he did so he would be killed. So he continued on Manono, with the few forces remaining to him in utter demoralisation. There Laupepa's forces prepared to fight the last fight for complete victory, and without doubt the island would in due course have been captured and many lives taken. But the Powers intervened. A British and a German warship on 18th July steamed to Manono and to them Mataafa surrendered. He was deported with a few supporters, first to the Union Group and afterwards to Jaluit.

So Malietoa Laupepa reigned as king. But again he was not undisputed. In March 1894 the younger Tamasese led rebels from Aana, which however the Government easily defeated, and a temporary settlement was effected by means of the Consuls. In April (for the third time in her history) New Zealand proposed to the Imperial authorities that she should assume control of the group, and she now offered to undertake this control whether Samoa should be a British Protectorate or on behalf of the Treaty Powers. The offer was not accepted. In August there was further fighting and the rebel forts were bombarded by a British and two German ships of war. Again there was a temporary settlement, this time from the ships, and somewhat more lasting. Still smuggling of arms and ammunition, quarrels, and scheming engaged in delight or distress certain of the more prominent whites. Changes came, and passed. Towards the end of 1893 Chief Justice Cedererantz was succeeded in his office by Mr. Henry C. Ide, who was in turn succeeded in 1897 by Mr W. L. Chambers. Both Mr. Ide and Mr. Chambers had been American Land Commissioners.

On the 3rd of December 1894 there died at the home he had reclaimed from the slopes of Mount Vaea, three miles behind Apia, Robert Leads Stevenson, the novelist. Stevenson had come to Samoa in 1889, and, as all who have read the “Vailima Letters" to his friend Sir Sidney Colvin will remember, he settled there the following year, and there his later world-known work was done. Always very fragile in health, he yet found in the warmth of Samoa more strength than elsewhere. His death was quite unexpected and was an actual loss to the little community where he had been widely known and much beloved by the Samoans. His body was with great difficulty carried to the summit of the mountain overlooking his home, and there his rough tomb with its beautiful inscriptions still stands. In the eyes of the outside world the chief fame of Samoas will possibly long be that it is the place where Stevenson had his home and lies buried.

On 22nd August 1898 the long and troublesome reign of King Malietoa Laupepa terminated with his death. His remains were interred at Mulinu'u amid the splendours of a military funeral and to the crack of the rifle-shots of his warriors. On 17th September Mataafa, who was being returned to Samoa, arrived at Apia, and was nominated by his followers for the kingship. Two other champions were in the lists, Tamasese and Malietoa Tanumafili, son of Laupepa and his natural successor. Tamasese withdrew, and the matter then lay between Mataafa and young Malietoa.

In accordance with the Berlin Act the arbitrament of this dispute lay with Chief Justice Chambers, and after a lengthy hearing he on Saturday 31st December 1898 gave his decision that Malietoa Tanumafili was king. The decision was probably a correct one on the evidence, but for the time being Mataafa was in strength and ready to dispute it. And dispute it he quickly and successfully did. Within a few hours civil war had again blazed forth; in fewer it was decided; the Apian cockpit buzzed with international difference till the hum of it caught the attention of the outside world and again nearly caused a great war; and then Samoa passed as a pawn in a larger game and so entered an era of peace and oblivion.

At the highest computations Matreafa had a force of some five thousand warriors against two thousand of Tanu and Tamasese, who joined Tanu. The issue was fought in and around Apia and the decision was quick and sharp. In four hours of afternoon fighting and a few morning skirmishes, but largely owing to the defection of a contingent from Savaii, Mataafa drove the Malietoa party out to the protection of the British warship in the harbour. There Tanu and Tamasese received the shelter of the warship pending instructions from the British Government.

Before fighting commenced protection of British and American residents had been resolved upon by the British Consul. Mr. Ernest Maxse, and by the Commander of the British ship-of-war Porpoise, then Captain F C. D, Sturdee, the same who later as Rear-dmiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee commanded with such signal success the British squadron at the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Two places of refuge were established under armed guard and here many white residents gathered. The warship was also placed at the disposal of any who wished to make themselves secure, and the Chief Justice and the American Consul betook themselves there.

On Monday 2nd January 1899 Mataafa's forces in possession of the town did considerable looting, and there was nearly trouble when a search by Samoans for enemy arms at one of the refuges was refused. However the steadiness of Sturdee and his lieutenant Gaunt combined with the firmness of the British Consul averted it.

With Matisafa, in possession and Tanu and Tamasese aboard the Porpoise the trouble died away, and on 4th January the Consuls accepted the control of Matsafa, "now in de facto possession of the Samoan Government" pending instructions from the three Treaty Powers and without prejudice to their individual or collective rights and privileges. The President of the Council was to be the executive head officer of the provisional government,

Then came the inevitable white squabble. The American Chief Justice Chambers had taken refuge on the Porpoise. The German President of the Council. Raffel, immediately seized the situation to strengthen the hand of Germany who by this time was beginning to show her support of Mataafa. Under the Berlin Act when the office of Chief Justice was vacated the President succeeded thereto. Raffel appointed one Marquardt Officer of the Peace, and straightway issued a public notice from the Provisional Government declaring that "the Supreme Court is closed and shall not he reopened until further order from the Government." The following day Sturdee issued a notice:

On Board H.M.S. Porpoise.
Apia, January 7th, 1899.
The Supreme Court now under protection of the United States and Great Britain, vide Proclamation December 22nd, having been illegally closed by the Provisional Government and the orders of the Chief Justice posted at the Court House torn down by armed troops of that government.

The Chief Justice support by U.S. Consul-General and H.B.M. Consul under the protection of the armed forces of H.M.S. Porpoise will hold a Court to-day at noon. If resistance is met, which it is hoped will not be, fire will be opened to support the rights of these great Powers. In view of the possibilities, British and American subjects are therefore requested to take shelter on board Porpoise if they so desire.

F.C.D. Sturdee.
Commander,
Senior Officer N.E. Division

That same morning the Courthouse was broken into by a detachment of marines, the German Consul and President protesting, but, no opposition being offered by the Natives, a Court was duly held. After the adjournment cheers were given for the British and American Consuls, and the latter responding perorated that it was true that he had no man-of-war in Apia harbour to call to his assistance, but there were plenty of United States men-of-war in the background-"and don't you forget it."

The thing was comedy, but with a hint of tragedy round the corner, for feeling against Germany was now bitter in the States, where German antagonism during the Spanish War was not forgotten. A joint proclamation on the situation issued from the Chief Justice and the British and American Consuls, only to be followed two days later by a counter proclamation from the German Consul. Then, with the exception of some foolish acts by private individuals, notably the insulting of the Chief justice by one Grevsmuhl a leading German merchant, matters quietened again.

It is difficult for one who has not lived in a small and isolated tropical settlement to understand how things can go to such length. There is no doubt that German influence in Samoa could have prevented the war that followed. There is no doubt that Germany in Samoa backed Mataafa against the decision of the Chief Justice (which decision was unquestionably honest on the evidence before him) and against a majority of the Powers, to the incensement of the gentlemen intrigued against. The German plan was not destined to be successful. It merely produced a deadlock which continued until March. Mataafa, favoured by German interests, regarded by the British and American factions as a rebel, held power. On 6th March the U.S.S. Philadelphia, Admiral Albert Kautz, arrived in Apia. The Admiral summoned a meeting of the Consuls and the senior naval officers aboard his ship. On their arrival he read a memorandum that as there was sufficient force at Apia representative of the three Powers, the Consuls should unite to bring about peace. The German Consul protested and refused to act without instructions from his Government. The others resolved to uphold what they considered the plain provisions of the Berlin Act and to dismiss the provisional government of Mataafa. There-upon Admiral Kautz issued a proclamation calling upon the Mataafan chiefs to return to their homes. Mataafa in consequence evacuated Mulinu'u and went inland. The German Consul then issued a proclamation upholding the provisional government and Mataafa's forces surrounded the town. The Admiral's men fortified Mulinu’u and some two thousand Malietoans entrenched there. Accordingly Mattafa barricaded roads and fortified properties, some British, within the municipality. On the 10th the British Consul and certain naval officers were stopped by Mataafan forces at the Ifi Ifi cross-roads, an incident in the course of which firearms were drawn and which might easily have resulted fatally. The following day the Admiral sent an appeal to Mataafa to lay down arms and make peace, and. the messenger being insolently received, an ultimatum was then sent that if the municipality was not vacated by the forces of Mataafa a bombardment would commence at one o'clock that afternoon. The proclamation was ignored by the Mataafans.

At half past twelve the U.S.S. Philadelphia and H.M.S. Royalist and Porpoise opened fire on out-lying villages and, later, on the Mataafan forces lying inland of Apia. The incident is historical. As the Porpoise, bound from the harbour for destruction of coast villages, steamed past the Philadelphia, the band of the American ship played her out with "God Save the King" Ten years, save only one day, before, and in the same unreliable roads, though in a vastly different sea, the Calliope's gallant and successful effort to cheat the storm had drawn rousing cheers from the Trenton, herself doomed to disaster - cheers as rousingly answered. But now, and it is believed for the first time in history. Briton and American were united against a common foe. It was not to be the last, nor indeed was it so very long before that the British had stood by their kinsmen to see fair play. The extraordinary thing is that, with their community of aspiration and blood, active co-operation had not come sooner.

Detachments were also landed in the town. That night the rebel forces made a fierce attack on Apia during which three British sailors were killed. The following night an American sentry was shot dead at his post. For eight days the bombardment and forays continued. Two old cannon and some boats were captured from the Mataafans, and there was continuous fighting between the rival native forces. Meanwhile many inhabitants of the town took refuge on board the Royalist, and a number also left Samoa, being urged to do so by the naval authorities so as not to hinder fighting operations.

On March 23rd Malietoa Tanumafili was crowned king in Mulinu’u. On the 25th, the fleet having been meanwhile strengthened by the arrival of H.M.S. Tauranga, the two Consuls and the naval commanders issued a proclamation offering immunity to all if they would acknowledge this kingship and notifying that "the very strongest measures will be taken at ance against all rebels who do not comply with this proclamation." Mataafa refused until the three Powers were in agreement

Reinforcements to the king's forces continued to arrive during the last week of March and gradually the control of the Apia district passed largely to their hands. On March 29th the village of Magiagi, lying back of Apia, was captured. On Easter Saturday, 1st April, combined forces consisting of British and American landing parties to the number of one hundred mad ten, and Malietoan forces numbering it is understood about one hundred and fifty, having burnt a coast village, set out to return to Apia by the road through the German Firm's plantation of Vailele. About a mile inland of the places where the Germans had met disaster in 1888 they were ambushed by Mataafans in great strength. In the attack that followed the Malietoans running short of ammuni tion retreated, and the little party of whites were opposed to overwhelming odds. The hope of the party lay with the American Colt Q.F. gun. of which native troops were greatly in fear, but this unfortunately had received a wetting, broke down, and had to be abandoned after being thorn out of gear. The bulk of the party got away to the beach, but they left two American officers and two men, and one English officer and two seamen, dead upon the field. The American detachment had five wounded, the British two.

Meantime reinforcements from the ships had been sent for and dispatched but the night coming on they were able to do little. H.M.S. Royalist, lying off-shore to cover the expedition, threw shells above the retreating party and thus saved the situation. Tamasese troops later got on the field and recovered the bodies. The heads of all the officers had been taken in Samoan battle fashion, and the ears of the men, but the heads were later recovered! And the remains were the following day interred at Mulinu'u Point. In July of the following year the bodies were, removed to a spot somewhat nearer the town, and the granite monument erected above it bears the names of the men of the two great nations who thus gave up their lives in a common cause. Within sight and close range of it is the monument to the German sailors who fell at Vailele in December 1888.

Even before news of this disaster reached them, the peoples of the three Powers were annoyed - more than anything else- that the situation that had again developed in this tiny spot. American feeling ran highest, but all were agreed that war over such a matter would be criminal. In Australasia the position aroused the keenest interest. The New Zealand Government announced that the government steamer would be sent to Samoa, and volunteer troops were enrolled from the Easter encampments for services there if required by the Home Government. Preparations were made to send five hundred men and machine guns. The offer of troops was not accepted, but the Government steamer was sent with despatches to Apia.

It was decided by the Powers that a joint Commission, consisting of three members, one from each Great Power, should proceed under identical instructions at the earliest opportunity to Samoa, there to supersede all local representatives of the Powers. In order to save time the Commissioners were sent from America. The following officers were appointed: Mr. C. N. Eliot, second secretary to Sir Julian Paunceforte, British Ambassador at Washington; Mr. Bartlett Tripp, formerly American Minister at Vienna; and, representing Germany, Baron von Sternberg. Instructions were dispatched to Samoa that all hostilities must cease pending the arrival of the Commission.

The despatches arrived in Samoa on the 22nd of April. The military authorities communicated with Mataafa who after some hesitation withdrew his forces from the troubled neighbourhood of Apia.

The Commissioners left San Francisco on 25th April, arriving in Apia on 13th May. They were empowered to deal with the situation as they found it upon arrival, and to place the affairs of the group on a peaceful and satisfactory footing, it being understood that the acts of the Commission were to be merely temporary, and subject to the approval of their governments. The Commissioners were also expected to make a thorough impartial investigation into the merits of the controversy between the representatives of the Powers at Apia and to report the results to their respective Governments, so that by ordinary diplomatic exchange such corrections might be applied to the situation as seemed necessary. The Commissioners had no power to alter the Treaty of Berlin, but might make recommendations to that end which if unanimous, might be accepted.

It was made a condition by Germany that all the decisions of the Commissioners must be unanimous. It was hardly expected in England that their labours would be in agreement.

The work of the Commission aws effective. In the first place it restored Peace. Tanu, Tamasese and Mataafa formally agreed to abide by the decisions of the Commission. On 10th June 1899 the Commission abolished the office of king until further agreement of their Governments, transferring the royal power to the three Consuls. Dr. Solf was appointed President of the Municipality which then proceeded to continue its work. The hostile armies agreed to give up their arms, which the Commission agreed to purchase, payment being made some eighteen months later. A provisional government being thus successfully established and peace restored the Commission left Samoa and the warships were withdrawn.

The members of the Commission reported to their Governments. to whom it seemed that the only method of settling the Samoan difficulty was the partition of the group. Great Britain and Germany made a separate agreement by which Great Britain, for reasons which shall be hereafter referred to, surrendered to Germany her claim to territory in the Group. A Convention was then entered into by Germany, the United States and Great Britain which concluded the differences between the Powers in the following manner. All previous treaties and in particular the Berlin Act of 1889 were annulled. Germany and Great Britain renounced in favour of the United States all claim over the islands of the group east of longitude 171° west of Greenwich. Reciprocally the United States renounced in favour of Germany all their claims over the islands of the group west of longitude 171° west of Greenwich. It was also expressly agreed that each of the signatory powers should continue to enjoy, in respect of their commerce and commercial vessels, in all the islands of the group, privileges and conditions equal to those enjoyed by the sovereign power, in all parts open to commerce.

The Powers further agreed to refer for decision the question of liability for damage to the properties of foreign residents in Samoa during the war to King Oscar II of Sweden. This was done and the decision placed the liability on Great Britain and America. The settlement of the claims was tardy, one, and it is believed the last, having been paid in 1917.

To Anglo-Saxon readers the question at once arises: Why did England withdraw from the Group? The interest of New Zealand in Samoa in that year of 1899 was apparent, and has already been noted. The stated price was the surrender to England by Germany of certain islands in the Solomon group. But there was a further reason which colonial disappointment could not outweigh. The Boer war had commenced in October, France was Anglophobe, and England was especially anxious to conciliate Gemany. And Germany's desire for Samoan territory had long been plain. Lord Salisbury made reference to the Convention in his speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet on November 9th: “This morning you have learned of the arrangement concluded between us and one of the continental states with whom more than with others we have for year's maintained sympathetic and friendly relations. The arrangement is above all interesting as an indication that our relations with the German nation are all that we could desire.”