THE BAMOAN DIFFICULTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2157, 25 June 1889, Page 2

THE BAMOAN DIFFICULTY.

We arb glad to learn by the news via ejan Francisco that the outcome of the Conference m regard to fdamoan affaire promises to be entirely satisfactory. Had Germany been allowed her way, not only would the preponderance of influenoe m the affairs of the Islands have been secured to her, but a crushing indemnity would have been exacted, such as the little kingdom would have found it impossible to pay, unless m instalments extending over a long series of years, and the failure to aieet any of which would necessarily have led to further complications, possibly to an occupancy by Germany, leading up by an easy transition to actual annexation. All this haß been avoided by the diplomacy and firmness of the other Powers represented, the representatives of the United (States deserving ihe chief credit for the stand taken up, though it is pleasing to find that towards the close of the Conference the weight of JSngland was given on the American (the pro-bamoan) side. For result the absolute autonomy of the Islands is secured and the right of selfgovernment conceded to the Samoans under a native king and viceking with a Native Parliament, the three Pewars, Germany, England, and America,, having only such influence as may be exercised by an advisory Council which can oonsult with the king whenever necessary. On (his advisory Council England is accorded the determining influence, as m the event ot the German and American Ministers failing to agree the British representative is to be the arbiter of the matter m dispute. Provision is also made for a Land Commission to settle disputes as to real estate m whioh the question of ownership of land as affecting foreigners iff concerned, and a separate coaling station is set apart for the ships of tbe tHreo nations. Iv satisfaction of her honor (iermany ia to ho "nltnwod an indemnity, but the amount is fixed at a nominal sum, and last and beat of all, the injustice done to Malietoa is to be remedied so far as it is possible to remedy it by his restoration as King of the Islands. Altogether the outcome of the Conference is preoisely what was hoped for as its best possible result, and with the completion of the treaty, the basis of which has thus been laid down, what threatened at one time to prove a very troublesome question haß been set at rest probably tor many years to come.