Union Jack And Swastika Flag

Samoan Reactions to the European Crisis and Munich Agreement

EUROPEAN crisis reactions in Western Samoa (September 26-30) were re markable.

The Fono of Faipule (Samoan native parliament) was in session, and was kept informed of developments by the Administrator. When it was advised, on the morning of September 29, that a state of emergency’ had been declared throughout the British Empire (an an nouncement, by the way that was not made public in Australia), the Fono’s reaction was immediate.

The Speaker of the Fono, Alipia, rose to declare that at such a fateful hour the Fono had no desire to proceed with ordinary business. Addressing the Acting Administrator, in the name of the Faipule, the Speaker said that the Samoans wished to express their sincere and unanimous desire to loyally support

the British Government and rally to the Union Jack. Whatever had been their local differences with the Admin istration in the past, they knew only one Government and one flag, and willingly would defend same against all aggres sors.

The Fono then submitted to the Ad ministrator an offer of 9,000 men for any kind of service, at home or abroad.

The offer was accompanied by a de tailed statement, showing how and where the proposed force of Samoans would be assembled, and how the de fence of important points in the Terri tory might be organised. The Fono re quested the Acting Administrator to con vey the Samoan offer by radio to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The Munich agreement was announced before any further steps could be taken.

The Union Jack and the German flag, flying over adjoining shops in Apia, Western Samoa, as described in this article.