The Waikato Argus TEUSDAY, APRIL 4, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 417, 4 April 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus TEUSDAY, APRIL 4, 1899.

The state of affairs which has been arrived at in Samoa reflects great discredit upon the three Powers which have taken upon themselves the management of that distracted country. The disgrace rests mainly upon Germany. She has not hesitated to break through a treaty made in her own capital in order to promote the interests of Germans, regardless altogether of the fate of the unfortunate natives and of -the honour of the nation. It is impossible, taking all the circumstances into consideration, to form any other opinion than that the German Consul either on his own motion or under instructions from his Government has done his best to render the tri-partite control impassible and ludicrous. The object of this iB not difficult to surmise. The idea is, without doubc, to secure for herself a protectorate over the islands, on the grounds that German interests preponderate. We shall have something to say about this presently. The present system has completely broken down, owing mainly to German machinations, but she is as far as ever from obtaining that for which she has schemed. Great Britain and America aro of one mind and are acting together. There are, therefore, only two probable outcomes from the position. Germany must keep faith with her allies or those allies will become enemies with both the will and the power to assume control of the islands either jointly, or by one, with the consent and support of the other.

The sole control by Germany means the closing of the commercial door against other nations. Britain and America are agreed that the derelict lands of the world shall only be acquired by nations willing to allow absolute freedom for the commerce of all nations. For this reason alone the claims of Germany will not be entertained. The American and British forces are endeavouring to restore order, aud Germany having fomented the civil war is consistent enough to stand aside and allow those who, by treaty, should have her support to bear the burden. She must be foolish, indeed, if she imagines for one moment that Britain and America are likely to play the role of litigants and allow her to milk the cow.

Then as to the claim persistently put forward by Germany that the interests of her ..people so largely preponderate that she is entitled to more than an equal say in the government of the country. It is well at this juncture that the true position should be understood. We have no statistics to hand since 1897. In that year the total imports were £65,926 and the exports for that year are given as £47,839. The imports from Great Britain and her colonies amounted to £34,734, and the exports to British territory to £5,405. The total area of the islands is given as 1076 square miles. The above figures certainly confute German statements.

The old proverb, as to the ill-wind, applies somewhat forcibly in this case. The troublo in Samea should emphasise the fact that Australasian Federation should be brought about at the earliest possible date. It has also led to the imparting of a useful object lesson to other nations. The offer of the New Zealand Government to send a force to restore order iu Samoa, and the willingne3s of the volunteers to go, combined with the certainly that were the necessity to arise every colony of the Empire would act likewise, should make all nations careful not to tread on the lion's tail too roughly. The offer of New Zealand to send men had not, so far as is known, been accepted by the Imperial Government last night. This, we are sure, is not because the offer is not appreciated both for its moral and physioal advantages, but for the reason that more force is not deemed necessary to restore order. It may, however, bo accepted yet.