GERMAN SAMOA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2720, 27 January 1910, Page 6

GERMAN SAMOA.

THE WHITE 3IAN’S BURDEN

Mr. A. D. Fairburn, an American .journalist, who .arrived by the San Francisco steamer Tymeric, says that, smarting under what they declare unjust and wholly unnecessary taxation, English, American, and many German residents of German Samoa have formed a secret alliance, to obtain redress. They declare that the Governor (Dr. Solf) and his council have exercised most arbitrary power, and inflicted burdens on white men that have become unbearable. Everything is taxed, from tlie scrubbing brush to a buggy and pair. English' and American residents produce nearly all __the. wealth of the islands, and have absolutely no say in the Government. It is true that two Englishmen have seats' on the council, which “assists” Governor Solf in the administration of affairs, but their position is merely empty honor, as they do none of the governing. Despairing of obtaining any consideration at the hands of the local Government, the over-burdened taxpayers are seriously contemplating sending a delegation to Berlin, where relief would be sought at. the hands of the German Chancellor. Questioned regarding the feeling of the natives, Sir. Fairburn said: “The natives are grumbling at the exactions of the Government, and many-of them declared in my -presence that they would welcome the' return of Great Britain to tlie -Islands.”