The Samoan Question.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 30, 11 May 1889, Page 3

The Samoan Question.

- —♦ {From the New Zealand llerald.) The formal disurownl by tlio Gorman Government of Dr. Knappe's high-handed proceeding! Nt Samoa is prompt and baa taken all of us in Auat rnlia and New Zealand by surprise. High-handod aa were these proceedings, they were only a part of a continuous policy which had for some years been practiced with impunity. The soizurn and deportation of the Snmoiin King Malictoa was as bad aa anything done since, but for that act no reparation has been made. Tho unfortunate Malictoa continues a prisoner on the wretched littlo island of Jaluit. in the German torrritory of the Marohnll Islands, and it will be very hard to believe in any real change in German feeling or policy till he it restored to his loy.-l and loving people. The feeling of sympathy with the Bemoan* ia universal, and the belief' strong that but for the firmness of the eUnd taken by the American GoverntaettflwWoe would have boon .re this a German oolonj . No resiatancn was ■lieifcflid *»jr England, and tho com* ptate eaootd between her and Germany — to-lead to the hreaktfut nJjs ,wiU be, we

j TL<*'Utibg-* of Germany in Sa: -a ' ntvno nW thing. ' The umo hight ur.ded jMdiey has been pnfti-el f.,r in hi y years, and tho Hut check it l■■ cuired w»s when the American Consul, on hia oh ti responsibility, hoisted tho American tin/ a few y< ars ago uver that of Samoa, ami saved the group from term m annexation. That act *a< repudiated by the American Government, and German domination again asserted itiedf. Tho seizure and du|Kirtatl<ui of Mulietou was only a step in the regular policy pursued, ami the landing of Gorman sailors, which ended no unfortunate!}, wna hut another incident of the same character. It hud tho iff- it of rousing tin; American Government ami showing them rlit! danger of Germany seizin;; a poiitiou of litll" commercial vulue hut of groat importance from a military point of view, and commun'liug ihi" ronton of Pacific mail lines from Europe through America, Panama or Nicaragua. The establishment of a grout Foroign Power in such a position could not ho regarded hy America with unconcern. It is certainly not so re-gaidi-d by tho colonies in Australia and New Zealand, and ought not to bo so by tho Homo Government, which.

however seems to vulii" a good understanding with Gerninny too highly to j make it worth while taking active steps in what tlu« diplomatists probably reJl gard a« seqojidary matter. It is ,*aftl by some that Samoa as a :..jlltury py*i i» over-rated, mid that tin; harj>or of Apia is not defensible against bombardment b_v a superior naval force. This do.'H not. however, apply to the harbor uf Pago l'ago on tho Island of Tutnila, which is <>no of tho safest and yerlmpa one of the midst easily fortified in the Pacific. The winding harbor is an extiuct volenno crater, surrounded by lofty hills, over which no shells could be thrown, while the entrance is ' not above a mile wide, and would ho easily commanded by batteries high and formidable. The American Government have the base of a portion of

this harbor as a coating station. The lease must be approaching its termination, anil the renewal would depend on tha will of Germany if the country were annexed, fn any oaso the 6msession by America of the small bay as a coaling station could not prevent the fortification of the harbor as a whole by a Power to which the group might be attached. America lns* interests then fine which horGovomment apart fr"!i» its position »s a great Pacific Power, is not likely to allow any other Government to disregard. .She has also agreements with the people of Samoa, and has allowed her consuls and representatives more than once to Commit hor to their fullest maintenance. .Some years ago Colonel Steinberger landed at Sanoa unofficially ucoredtttod by President Grant lie went there in an American warship and landed under a salute. By him the Sainoana wore trained to arms and their Government began to be fairly organised. Bnt Colonel Stein! orger came into collision with the American consul of tho day, and was. at his request, removed and taken to Fiji by the captain <>f ■■< British frigate, directed by Sir Arthur Gordon as High Commissionor for the Western Pacific. President Grant took up Steinborgor's ca*e warmly; hut, on investigation, did not prosoouto the claims set up for compensation against tho British Government and the Commissioner. The reason why the case was there drop pod his never been clearly known, but was said to have been the discovery <>f proceedings in which Steinberger could not be supported. Siuco that time, however, the connection of America with Samoa has

ill ways l>con close, and to her tho fSuiiioant hart* learned to look as thoir most trustworthy dc-feuco. jftfc More than otico and years the Bamonu [ioopl<»fsWo sought annexation by England; and, failing that, haro sent to our Government in Xojsfl B"*l. T'ioy are perfectly " iili|H R.cithor 1 ig. li*h or Ami-rii-nn, anoßß)ittk> jrhi> hj ; but German they wihWflyboby {•> >■", and their attitude is easily undcrntuod. England and America bare long boon connected with tlmn. English missionaries have been always among them, and they have served in English and American ships. The English tongue is familiar to Samoans, and tho kindliest feeling has always prevailed between tho two races. As to Amvri* cans the Samoans make no practical distinction between tbem and the English as a people, but recent etenta mutt make them cling more to the American Gavornincnt an their surest protector*. So far as the colonies aro •oncerned they are at one with the Americans in desiring that the autonomy of the group should be preserved. True, the Samoans have of fate years had too much internal discord for their prosperity! and the foreign trade with then may have suffered occasionally from this cause. But if this were a reasonable ground for foreign interference saaay other countries besides Samoa isi.lly in Sssth AmericawosUbe open to that ooutte. To

, -speak of Gorman Interests, .is requiring' Mich interferon! eisin any cage absurd. The interests sure insignificant from a natieaal point of view. England. America. a<;d France hive spent blood , and money in the interest* of the races of tho Pacific —in efforts to Christianise and civilis*. them. Germany has nover expended a single farthing in either of these directions, j No wonder that, knowing the true state of affairs, oolooists have sympathised with the Bemoans in their struggle with Germany, and hope that America will firmly maintain the poaition sho has taken up. Free from Europo-m complications, she can Maud as the champion of peace and right iu the Pacific, and save it and its growing young nations from the establishment in their neighbourhood of great military Powers whoso European quarrels may involve iu bloodshed and strife communities whose interests arc not in tho least concerned.'