Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-03
ANOTHER CONCESSION

The foreign dispatches gravely inform
us that, as the Samoan King, Malietoa,
has suitably apologized, the Emperor of
Germany has graciously consented to re-
-all the decree of exile pronounced against
the island chieftain. Was there ever
broader farce, or more remarkable ex-
hibition of insincerity by nation of the
acknowledged dignity and high character
of Germany? Here is mighty empire, of
civilized rank, and claiming to be Chris
tian model, making pretense of anger
against the poor, feeble and innocent
heather of an island kingdom scarcely so
large as the least of the subdivisions of
Germany, in order to find excuse for
deportation of the chief, that it might
seize upon his small possessions and enjoy
the heritage that has descended to him
and his people through countless ages.
When checked in its scheme, and given
to understand, by American sentiment,
that this nation would rot stand idly by
and see the spoliation completed, this
Christian European Power graciously con-
descends to withdraw its decree of Danish
ment, on the ground that the heather has
made due apology-for what, remains to
be stated We have read the history of
this Samoan difficulty with diligence, and
have not left untried any avenue through
which to gain correct and unbiased infor-
nation upon it. Indeed, the RECORD
UNION took up the matter three years
ago, when few journals had treated
Of it, and at time when selfish
commercial interests, swayed by German
influences, were opposing the Samoans
in the demand that their independence
should be respected, and that the United
States Government should stand their
friend-and we have not been able to
discover what real cause of complaint Ger
many ever had against the half-cla-i island
Chieftain within whose domains German
merchants have amassed so much wealth
without compensating benefit to the ma
tive population. 1t is somewhat signif-
cant that the only news we have of Malie-
toa having apologized to the Kaiser
comes from the German Capital and Just
at time when the Samoan Commission is
about to take up the question of the cause
of thefforcible exile of the Chieftain with
whom the United States treated, and
whom it had recognized as the lawful ruler
in Samoa. 1t looks very much as if this
story about the apology was manufactured
for purpose, and is only another conven-
lent means of back-down" for Germany.
That power has to date, since the Ameri-
can people expressed themselves freely
upon the Samoan question, receded with
more or less adroitness from every position
it assumed in the beginning of the diff
Guilty, and precisely what remains for the
Commission to now pass upon that may not
as well be adjusted by usual ministerial
methods, is pulling. 1t has one duty t.
perform. however, that it will not be likely
10 neglect, and that is to require Germany
to transport the aged King of Samoa from
the Marshall group back to his island
home, from which he was torn by the most
cruel injustice, and with no better pretense
Of excuse than would justify back-alley
quarrel in the slums of Berlin.
THE defeat of Prohibition in 3Iassachu-
sets must not be understood as the down
fall of all regulative system for the liquor
traffic in that State. The ''local option
law remains, and no attempt, it is said,
will be made to overthrow it. So, too.
there is an excise law which is regulative
much after the manner of the New York
law. The most important after-consider-
alton Of the anti-prohibition vote is the
peril in which it is likely to place one of
the old political parties. The defeated
minority numbers 10000, and it does not
take its Waterloo at all kindly; on the
contrary sanger but mildly describes the
state of mind of fully 10000 of these peo-
pie. Their bitterness is, moreover, di-
rected toward Republicans, upon whom
they had looked as natural allies, though
why they should have expected aid from
them passes understanding, in view of the
fact that the Prohibitionists for the past
five or six years have worked and voted
against the Republican party with all the
energy they could command Their pres
ent anger, if it does not cool within the
year. may work some changes in the polit-
ical complexion of the Bay State that will
be very uncomfortable to the Republicans.
THE English members of the Samoan
Commission have replied to the question
propounded by Mr.. Kasson relative to the
reported secret agreement between Ger
Samoa, that no such agreement existed, or
ever did, or had ever been suggested or
contemplated. This clears the way for
free conference. There remains, indeed,
but little to do, except to secure perma-
nent guarantees for insuring the complete
and full independence ofthe Samoan group
from any foreign interference, and next, to
arrange for the protection of foreign inter-
ests in Samoa and the safety of foreign
residents. When this is done, Malie-
toa restored, the question of filling of the
throne submitted to the people, and a
local government under Consular super
vision secured for Apia, the work will lie
complete and the Samoan question drop
out of public thought; and the sooner that
happens the better for all concerned.
THE fact that General Bouianger suf-
tered defeat in the election held the other
day at Clarendon does not support the
idea that has been iudustriously propa-
gated that all France is in sympathy with