What to do about Samoa.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 20, 2 March 1889, Page 2

What to do about Samoa.

(From the San Franeiteo Examiner, February 5.) Recent events leave no doubt of t'ie peaceful intentions of the German Government in the Samoan matter. As we havealwaysssid Germany will not fight over that question if we make a firm stand and let her know exactly what she has to expect. But the thing we have to guard against now is a repetition of the same tactics that are responsible for the present situation. The German Government has always talked with affecting unselfishness at Berlin, Washington and London, but somehow it has never been able to instill its conciliatory spirit into its agents at Samoa. Bismarck is suavity itself in his own person, * hen it suits him to be, but iu the persons of his Consuls and naval commanders the iron hand Is thought good enough without the velvet gTovo. Doubtless we shall have every assurance of good intentions from the Imperial Government. Every rersonable condition will be accepted. Any desire for annexation will be disclaimed. But what about Consul Knappe and the OapUtaoltMAdlwT:* We ought to have some assurance of i a stable, impartial administration on ".

the spot. Th« civil war* that hj* T9 decimated mrj generation of Bamo« n> within eifiiised memory ahould he •topped. There ahould be aronteeent>*tive government, something like that of Hawnji, established under the ad. nice and protfetion of the thrjfctreatv Powers, A full and free vote should be taken throughout the whole eoontrv for « King, and Mtilietoa. whoae wleaa'o should bo insisted upon, should bseli. gihle. Thegovernmentsoestftblishedshould be guaranteod against revolution, if any portion of the people complained of oppression, th*y should hare the right to appeal to the Powers, instead of beginning s rebellion. The three Consuls could form a board of advice to the native government, and their Ruggestions would preserve it from any serious mistakes.

Finally, ooe-of our best ships nf war should touch the islands, and he ready to render 'our Consul every assistance. ItsconiuiaudarahouM have the widest latitude. H* should not be compelled to pleafl for justice; he should be authorized to demand it with the weight of hie. full furce 'and the knowledge that the whole force of tho United States whs behind him.

It ia well to tnko a loaf out of Bi<marok's bonk. An ultimatum at Apia is worth a dozon conferences at Washington. ... ,