New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-19
AUSTRALIA and SAMOA.

Enghsh opinion respecting samoa VIII pc
strengthened by demonstrations Of Australian
hostility to Lord Salisbury's alleged arrange
ments with Prince Bismarck. The
quotations printed in yesterdays issue
from leading journals of Sydney, Melbourne
and Auckland attested the growing feel
ing Of indignation and resentment. The
Australian colonies are destined to have
great career rs an Independents confederation
of sovereign States The bonds connecting
them with the Mother Kingdom have not yet
been severed, but separation cannot be de-
ferred many years. Already the colonies are
exercising veto power over the appointment
of Governors by the Crown, aud demanding
the negotiation OF anti-Chinese treaties and
the pre-emption OF the entire South Pacific as
the exclusive sphere of Australian influence
When the German flag was raised in the centre
Of Papua one Of the Colonial Governments
Immediately took possession Of the remainder
of the island and the encroachments OF the
French have been regarded with equal jealousy
and impotence. The Importance of Samoa as
the key Of the South Pacific is discerned by a
people that is already inspired with Fremont
tons Of its future greatness and influence. The
conduct Of the Home Government in sacrificing
treaty engagements which guarantee the neu-
trality Of the islands is condemned.
Lord Salisbury has been playing an inter-
eSting but highly dangerous game Of blind
mans buff in the South Seas. The treaty be-
tween England and Germany explicitly ex-
cmpted Samoa from foreign occupation. Lord
Salisbury and Prince Bismarck, bandsging
their eyes 50 that they could not see the pro-
hibitions Of the treaty, seem to have joined in a
scramble on give-and-take principles. The
Washington Conference disclosed the attitude
OF the two Governments. Germany demanded
control of Samoa for definite period and Eng
land promptly acquiesced in the arrangement.
This performance was only applicable on the
theory that there was a secret understanding
between them by which one was to get Samoa
and the other to have compensating advan-
tages in another quarter The inaction Of tho
English fleet and consular authorities in the
Stands has pointed unerringly TO the same con-
fusion. The Australian press is now review
ng the record, and bitterly complaining Of tho
adherence shown by the Home Government
the interests of the Colonies. Public opin-
ON in England is equally hostile to the secret
hiIthciShip aPUdIchtIy lOIHcu WIN fIihSS
bismarck The latest intelligence from Sa-
noa will intensity this feeling. The capture
4 a British subject on a British vessel
y an armed boat from German cruiser is an
outrage that will be deeply resented both in
Australia and in London.
England and Germany are under mutual OBJ
igations to respect the neutrality and autonomy
II Samoa. In the declaration signed by Count
Bismarck and Sir Edward Maet in April, 1885,
samoa, the Friendly Islands and Nine Island
are expressly acknowledged to be neutral terri
Tory, and the validity Of the treaties made with
Malietoa is recognized. In view Of that con-
venton the attitude of England during recent
campaigns Of aggression in Samoa and at the
Washington Conference is unfortunate and
Australians, who are conscious that their own
interests are neglected and imperiled, are not
slow in expressing their opinion of it.