Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-31
A TREATY Concluded.

Washington advices report that the
secretary OF state has been notified OF
the conclusion of treaty at Berlin
relative to Samoa. According TO the
statement the result OF the conference
is very complete triumph OF the
American demands. This was fore
shadowed in dispatches OF last week,
which represented that at that time
about everything the American COM
mssioners had asked for had been con-
ceded, and that the only chance Of seri-
Gus dispute would be over the de-
mand OF Germany tor indemnity
from the Samoans for the killing
and mutilatlon Of German sailors. 1t
would appear that this matter had been
disposed of without any difficulty.
The vital points in the American con-
tention were that the autonomy Of
Samoa should be restored and main
tanned. and that the nations having in
terests there should be on a perfect
equality as to the enjoyment of rights
in the islands. There were incidental
requirements, but these were the prin-
cipal points which the American com
missioners we're instructed to demand
and insist upon. They involved the pe-
cessity of Germany agreeing to the res
toration Of the government which 1t
had deposed aud surrender Of rights
which 1t had usurped. There can be
no question that there was a very
strong case against Germany, the con-
duct of that power in Samoa showing
clearly a design to bring the islands
absolutely under German control, and
it is by no means incredible that Bis
marck, knowing the indefensible char
acter OF the policy that had been pur-
sued, decided to dicuss the American
demands merely as a formality and
then concede them, hoping, per-
haps, only to be indemniti ed for
losses claimed to have resulted
from the aggressions of the natives. 1t
is not reported whether even this was
accorded Germany, and indeed it is
hardly to be supposed it would be, sim
ply upon the representations Of that
government, and without u thorough in
vestigation.
course of the United States in having
anything to do with the question of who
should rule in Samoa, the contention
being that it was matter which
this government, to be consistent with
it's principles, should have left
to be determined by the Sa-
means, there being two parties, or
factions, IN the island. There is
unq questionably some merit in this view,
but it loses sight OF the fact that in
order to get rid OF the dominant infu-
ence of Germany in Samoan affairs it is
necessary that those whom German in
terests have favored shall give place to
those whom they have antagonized. To
have remitted the selection of ruler
to the native population would undoubt-
edly have been to continue, and per-
haps increase, the chaotic political con
dition in the islands, with the ultimate
| result, very likely, of requiring the in
tercession of the three powers to bring
about order and establish the govern.
| ment.
! The success of the United States in
this matter, even though it should be
found when the agreement is made
| public to be less complete than now ap
| pears, is due to the obvious fairness and
| justice OF its principal demands and the
indefensible policy of Germany. The
practical benefits to this country may
not be of such great Importance as has
been assumed, but a principle has been
| al SIx1 L,
cost, and the United States will stand
better before the world for having with
firmness and dignity insisted upon 'hav-
its rights recognized and respected.