THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1880. ISLAND MASSACRES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2119, 8 December 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1880. ISLAND MASSACRES.

Has the late change in the Imperial policy with regard to the management of the South Sea Islands proved a success ? It was dictated, no douht, by motives of humanity ; but good motives are not a guarantee for successful measures. England has certain possessions in the South Seas, and, it may ho said generally, that she has undertook to maintain an efficient police in those waters. It is evident that as long as traders are allowed to visit the island, with the view of procuring Polynesian labor, there must he risks of encounter with the inhabitants. Setting aside the fact that such men as Captain Hayes would naturally exasperate any people, and that such acts as his must lead to reprisals, there is always danger of misunderstandings between the whites and the islanders arising, and the additional incentive of plunder adds to the risk. But if the labour market is to he supplied by Polynesians, and if trade is to he carried on with the islanders, their native products being exchanged for manufactured goods, it is clear that the European must be protected, the largest possible amount of leniency being granted towards the natives, whose views with regard to the comity of nations must naturally he somewhat hazy. It was, it is to he presumed, with the idea of starting a policy on a wide and humanitarian basis, that the High Commissioner was appointed, and the direct initiative taken out of the hands of the captains of Her Majesty’s service. But since the change has been made there can he no douht hut that massacres have become more frequent than ever. Almost every mail brings news of crews being surprised, and the greater part or the whole of them being killed, and now the long list has been added to by the massacre of the commander and five of the crew of H.M. schooner Sandfly, the details of which tragedy are peculiarly revolting. It may well be questioned if the somewhat ponderous machinery now in motion is capable of grappling with the growing evil. In the old days captains of war ships were left to execute judgment on those who they thought deserved it, and it cannot he said that they were ever convictod of having acted wantonly. The fear of Exeter Hall is pretty well engrained in all branches of the naval and diplomatic services. It is well known that there are ever on the look out gentlemen eager to ventilate the cause of the oppressed heathen of all the colors under heaven. Governor Eyre, in Jamaica, will he an example not easily forgotten, and any reprisal undertaken by a captain was always entered upon with the fear of this redoubtable clique well before his eyes. Owing to this, and the fact that the captains must he men of education, no unnecessarily harsh measures were complained of, as justifying, in the eyes of those best acquainted with the circumstances of the case, the change in the Imperial programme. The Rev. George Brown, whose vigorous action some time back was quite erroneously blamed in certain quarters, foretold the effect that the change would bring about and he has been proved to ho a true prophet. The truth is that the simpler the machinery in such cases the better. No complicated questions can well arise for the High Commissioner to settle, for the politics of the simple-minded cannibals who dwell in those parts are of the most rudimentary character. Their diplomats have all the cunning necessary to form a first-class diplomatic service, but their views on international law are not likely to be treated seriously by Sir Arthur Gordon. It may ha comforting perhaps to people in England holding certain views that a High Commissioner exists somewhere in space, vaguely watching over the interests of their proteges, but even these gentlemen will be startled by the growing frequency of massacres, and the idea may dawn on them that a police to be efficient must have ample powers. What the High Commissioner, as such, has done, or is likely to do, they will find it somewhat troublesome to discover, but that the lives of traders are becoming daily more insecure must force itself ou the attention of the most careless. Perhaps the massacre of poor Commander Bower and his men may cause the circumstances of the situation to he carefully reviewed. To the ordinary onlooker it would seem that what is wanted is merely a sufficient force among the islands, led by men of education and humanity, who aro empowered to treat the several cases as they turn up. To the savage mind, the speed with which a wrong is punished enhances the effect of tho latter fourfold. The High Commissioner is by no means a real personage to the islanders, hut tho caso is far otherwise with regard to a captain of a man-of-war, empowered to grapple with tho position according to his own lights.