Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-24
ouR SUCCESS AT BERLIN.


II the reports sent out from Berlin
are to be relied upon, the American
commissioners TO the Samoan confer
ence have been unexpectedly successful
in securing n concession OF the demands
OF this government. 1t would seem
that about all they have asked has been
allowed, greatly to the displeasure of
the German press, which has critized
the German government, with such
plainness and vigor as it dare, for what
it regarded as too great magnanim-
ity. Before the conference met
there was apparently substantial
reasons for the belief that the
American demands generally would
fail, and that the conference would be
either a repetition OF the Washington
fiasco Of 1887, or that Germany, with the
aid Of England, would be allowed pretty
much all she desired. The attitude of
the English commissioners, however,
has thus far shown no leaning toward
the side OF Germany, but has rather eX-
hibited desire to be absolutely fair and
impartial, in view of which it would seem
necessary to dismiss the idea that the
visit of Count Herbert Bismarck to
Lord Salisbury a few weeks before the
meeting of the Samoan conference had
any relation to that matter.
But despite the fair appearances
and the assurances of correspondents
that all is well, there is still suspicion
that Germany has not made so great n
surrender as the newspapers of that
country pretend. Very little that has
actually been agreed upon has become
public, and it will be well to wait until
the results of the conference are fully
made known before indulging in con-
gratulations. Mr.. Phelps stated some
days ago that it was not oue-sided af-
fair, but that concessions had been made
on both sides, and it may appear tnat
in the reciprocity Germany has gained
quite as much as she has given up. But in
any event the American government has
been successful in thwarting what
seemed to be the evident plan of Ger
many to obtain complete control of the
Samoan islands and turn them into a
German colony dominated by the power
of that government. , Whether or not
we shall be able to secure for the people
of Samoa that independence of foreign
interference and control IN their gov
ernment affairs which consistent re-
gard for our own political principles
would lead us to desire, we shall at least
obtain for them degree of home rule
which they unquestionably would not
| have been allowed but for our in
terference, The autonomy of the
| islands will be preserved, and the gov
| ernment that is established agreeably
to the understanding reached by the
: conference and approved by the inter-
/ sted governments will be assured
against the danger of overthrow from
| foreign machinations. Under the cir
cumstances this is perhaps the very
best we could do. 1t would doubtless
| have been more consistent with Ameri-
can principles to have demanded and
insisted that the Samoans should be al
lowed to maintain such government as
they please, instead of joining with
| Germany and England in deciding who
shall be their king and the form of gov
ernment they shall have, but in view of
| the revolutionary and chaotic condition
of affairs in the islands, is Is very doubt
full whether it would have been wise to
have left the Samoans to themselves to
solve the questions confronting them.
| When they are better instructed in the
| business of government, as we'll as in
the value of stable political system,
they will undoubtedly have no difficulty
in securing their full rights of self-gov-
ernment and home rule.