Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-01-23
Differences With GERMANY

II is not improbable that a large ma
joriry of the American people have given
little attention to the samoan question
and therefore have not clear appreciation
of all 1t involves. Their national instincts
prompt them to be earnestly in favor OF
American rights and interests in whateve,
quarter of the world they may be, yet
Il cir sober, second thought Is always for
a we'll considered, conservative, vet firm
attitude and policy in respect of other
nations, and their interests and demands
IL England, France and Germ INV roam
through the seas of the world to see what
Islands they can discover, or steal from
their rightful owners, it does not follow
that the United States is bound to copy
theirexample. The Samoan group belongs
TO the native population, and those who
attempt to deprive them of their property
are aggressors aud thieves. But it has
never been the settled policy of the Unite d
States to be the police Of the globe, ex-
cept for its own citizens. II Americans
go abroad for legitimate purposes of bust
ness and commerce, their Government Is
bound to protect them to the extent of
its authority in conformity with inter-
national laws, but they have no right to
expect this when they intermeddle with
the public or domestic affairs of other
countries, and whatever property they
see fit to purchase in land or water out
side of the dominion of the United States
must still remain under foreign sovereign
ty. In all proper ways and by the use OF
all recognized international rules and
usages the United States Government
eau and should protect the rights and in
terests of American citizens temporarily
residing abroad.
But it is well to remember that Samoa
lies in the southern Pacific. five Thousand
iailes from the American shores. and do,
not IN any sense constitute part of either
of the two Americas. 1t is outside of the
sweep of the Monroe Doctrine. and to at
tempt to make that doctrine sufficiently
elastic and comprehensive to embrace tie
Samoan group, would be only to weaken
1t and to bring It into discredit before
the public opinion of the world.
Australia and New Zealand are much
nearer and have much more Interest in
the Samoan Islands than has the United
States. Those great Colonial States. des-
tined to tecome an empire, belong at
present TO Great Britain. Whatever
treaty rights and commercial privileges
we have legitimately acquired in Samoa,
our government is bound to maintain
But 1t does not follow from this that we
are obliged to take part in establishing
protectorate over the islands. to help set
up one king or aid in dethroniug another.
We want no partnerships with Foreign
Governments. Tripsrtite arrangements
or quintuple treaties may be necessary
and in vogue among the European Pow
ers, but the United States want none of
these entangliug alliances. We are strong
enough and independent enough to go it
alone. 1t may be well for us to give our
moral influence for the neutrality aud
AUTONOMY of Samoa, and We cannot afford
to allow imperial Germany to play
against us game of bluff and insolence. |
But firm, dignified, and honorable course |
In the end will be the wisest and best for |
the United States, though 1t canno, be |
denied that our Government has been
drawn into some apparent engagements
which may prove a SQUIRE Of embsrrass-
ment 10 the future, II We are to adhere
to our traditional policy.