Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-12
THE SAMOAN SHAME.

! 1919 bfAAAo6Is S41oA1<'
| The more the Samoan question is exam
| ined into the greater becomes the shame OF
Americans who are inspired with a sense
of the necessity of preserving the honor of
the country. The loveliest spot in all the
South Seas is Samoa for US it has peculiar
attractiveness. We have there been freely
granted a magnificent harbor-Pango
Pango. 1t is the best harbor of refuge for
our ships in all Polynesia. 1t is the mid
way station between San Francisco and
Australia. We treated with the Samoans
and agreed with them that if they fell out
with any other treaty power and applied
to US we would extend protectorate tenn
porarily over the island group. They had
trouble with the Germans, who have for
years been encroaching upon native
rights, snubbing and elbowing other for
eigners, and monopolizing the trade of the
islands. The legitimate Government APP
pealed to the representative of the Ameri-
Sslh hoeioh " SaiAy Jul TIC treaty, dHO
that representative raised the American
flag over the Samoan. Because he did not
wait until he could ask Mr.. Bayard's ad-
vice, who was II, 900 miles to the east and
two months of time distant, the Consul
was removed, the American flag lowered.
German soldiers seized the King and
exiled him; the imperial standard of the
German Emperor once more foated over
Apia; the rebel King was recognized and
saluted and German arms were turned
against the successor of the banished law
full monarch.
A recent conflict has resulted in the de-
feat of the Germans, and Berlin papers now
impudently call upon the German Chan
cellor to demand an explanation of the
United States Government, because in the
battle in which the Emperor's troops were
overthrow, some strolling American with
German name fought in the front ranks
OF the Samoan sovereign. At last the
slow-moving Department of State has
taken alarm and two United States ships
of war have been ordered to depart from
Mare Island for Samoa and third from
Panama bearing an Admiraps pennant.
They will be too late. Germany has five
line of battle ships and 5000 marines with
Snider rifles already at Apia. When the
Mohican arrives-she being the swiftest
of our rescuing" fletcher commander
will find Tamesese the puppet of Ger
many, firmly seated, Mataafa's head in a
basket, German merchants ruling Apia and
possibly the Imperial standard floating
above the magnificent umbrella tree in the
center of the Apian plaza.
In this connection, the eloquent Ian
guage of Mr.. Arthur Richmond, addressed
through the North American Reriec to Sc
rotary Bayard, is most appropriate:
), Samoa is far away. and it is even remoter in |
the mind than on the map, but the story of |
Malicious martyrdom is pathetic enough tn
find its way into every interrupted heart the |
world over. The melancholy record of mon |
arcns SOLD and shared into captivity during all |
TIC ages presents no more Affecting picture We |
nave no need TO rely upon second hand descrip-
mons, nor even upon the vivid narrative of w.
L. Rees. the legal adviser of the Samoan Gov
in a recent number of The Nineteenth
Century, for the King has told the tale himself.
On the day before he went aboard the German
man of-war he addressed one proclamation .'To
All Samoa" and another to the American Con
sui In the first he babe his kindred and his
people farewell. "On account OF my great love
% my country and my great affection to ali
samoa" he said, this is the reason thatI de-
lver up my body to the German Governments
and " because do not desire that again the
blood OF Samoa shall be split for me-" though
ne knew not what his offense was To MT |
.ewall, the Consul who executed your wishes
u samoa the King repeated, in language so
simple that not even an American dipiomatist |
Gould misunderstood it. some very bitter truths
DE told how, when it would have been easy To |
rush the rebels, he RETAINED because the
English and American Consuls so advised him. |
de reminded him of promises solemnly made
and lightly broken; nor in his extremity did he
orget to pray that they might yet be kept TOR
ne sake OF his people. brave man sjirren-
lerlng to force to save others from a death
Snlch would have been we come to himself Is
spectacle which is not often seen in these de-
generate days. Malietoa was a heroic figure |
tnd possibly 1t is not too late for a Christian |
gentleman to learn lesson of fortitude and de- |
iotion from savage monarch.