New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-22

Col. Steinberger seems, from the cOpiOus
letters in The Herald, to have taken posses
sion of the Samoan Islands with al immense
amount of dignity, and if the supplemented
natives are not duly impressed with his per-
sonal importance and ability, as well az with
the power of the Government he really
though not officially represents, it will
not be because either he or Gen.
Grant has omitted anything likely to
affect their imaginations. The Colonel was
transported to the new kingdom in a ship of
war, and he bore letter from the President
commencing him to the confidence of the
chiefs and stamping his adventure with a sort
of national character Artillery, small arms,
and ammunition were sent along ''pres-
80 uts from Our Government by what
authority we do not clearly under
stand and Col. Stcinberger carried in
his breast pocket constitution and bill of
rights for the new monarchy, and i'll the tail
of his coat a brand-ncw flag designed after
our own Stars and Stripes The commander OF
the man-of-war introduced the Colonel with
much ceremony. The cannon were duly planted
around the government house ut Apa, panta-
looms were put upon as large part of the
native army as could he caught Oh short
notice and before the 1uscarcu sailed
for home Col. Steinbergcr had been
installed as Prime Minister tor life, with two
kings under him who take turns reigning four
wears at "a time Cur last intelligence from
the new mona,chy represented the dusky
islanders, with nothing on to speak of EXCEPT
cocoanut oil aud red hair dye, sitting under
the waving palms. aud looking with curious
interest at the excellent Colonel. who stood in
the midst Of them, making a long speech of
which they did not understand a single word.
The practical advice given to the Samoans,
both by the Prime Minister and the naval
officers was very simple. 1t was first, to wear
clothes; and in this recommendation which
does so much credit both 10 the heads and the
hearts of the entire party we cordially con-
chr. 1t was secondly, to have
"faith and confidence in the white
"people;" but about this We are not so
clear. Commander Erben reports that
the Samoan are exec lent creatures when they
are left by themselves, Int the settlements
! where foreigners reside sinks of iniquIty.
| Moreover, large tracts of Lnd have been OBJ
,,.. ii by white men for Il mere song, and
| large tracts are claimed by adventures who
cannot show satisfactory title and, thanks to
the presence OF white men, n lreat deal of the
property on the islands has become the subject
of perpetual Quarrels and complications There
has been a great Polyneslan Land Company,
with n capital of 100000, but it has gone
into bankruptcy on a debt of $1,000; and
now there is a Samoan Land Company whose
agent is the American Consul and whose share
| holders are mostly Californians, and it is pos
! sibly to the perpexings'fiairs of this Company
that Col. Steinborger alludcs when he warns
his island subjects that they ought "to consider
that perhaps the white men may have
grievances and that the large mercantile
firms among them have given the islands
whatever Importance they possess. That the
Colonel is practically the agent of Ring of
California spectators of course we would not
insinuate for the world, Col. Steinbergcr being