The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-02-06

We quote the following paragraphs
from the Chicago Advance with regard 10
the Samoan troubles; Cautiously just
now the eyes of the world are turned
upon trat small group ofelght or nine ISL
ands In the Southwest Pacific known as
the Samoan or Navigator Islands. Some
of the strongest war ships OF Germany,
England and America are lowering about
the waters there, or are on their way
thither. From the talk in the newspapers
one might almost imagine that there was
about to be some terrible conflict between
some Of the greatest Powers on earth
Although the interests at stake and the
principles of international comfy in
volved are by no means Of slight impor-
tance, theie is not going to be any war
over The matter. But there will be some
strenuous diplomatic action, backed by at
le .st some vigorous show Of force. Great
nations show their essential moral quality
b, the way in which they treat the lesser
powers, from whom they may seem to
have nothingto fear.
From all accounts the behavior OF the
German forces at the Samoan Islands has
been crafty and bullying, with athorough-
ly Bsmarckian purpose at the end of It
The distinct understanding on the part Of
Germany, England and America, has been
that the Independence and autonomy Of
the Samoan Island should be preserved.
There Is at one of these Islands one Of the
finest harbors in the world. AS coaling
station the place is one Of exceeding i'm.
portance, and sure to be In the near future
Of YET greater importance. The objection
to allowing any one Of the foreign powers
TO have control there is obvious. What
appears " have been the defiant attitude
oi the German authorities, in the dom.
ineering spirit Of Bismarck himself, Is not
likely to be tolerated.
"But to understand clearly the situation,
one needs TO know somewhat Of the his.
tory Of the Samoan people and govern.
ment. The population consists Of about
$4,000 people, about 10000 OF them being
at lenst nominal Christians.
"For many generations the people have
been under the government Of relgning
family, The general designation Of whose
chief is Malietoa. About thirty years ago,
on the death of Malietoa Mali, the fa her
OF The ruler lately deposed by the Ger
mans, there was dispute as 10 whether
the kingship should descend 10 his son
Laupepa, youth Of twenty years, or to
his half brother l'alayou. Although both
claimed the family headship, neither at
tempted to take the throne, and nephew
and uncle lived peaceably together in the
same house until 1859, when an ofiicious
missionary, Williams by name, took
Laupepa secretly away and had him
crowned king. Civil war Immediately
broke out, which resulted. In 1873, in q
compromise, brought about by Colonel
Steinberger, special agent Of the United
States, who, with the aid Of consuls and
missionaries, formulated constitutional
government, under eleven chiefs. The
people, however soon decided that they
desired king and 10 avoid further war,
10 1875, chose two kings, the one this
young Malietoa Laupepa, 0he uncle Tia.
laynu Withdrawing his claimsl, and an
other party taking Pulepule, a scion Of
the rival house Of Tupua. This arrange.
ment proving unsatisfactory, Colonel
5teinberger devised another scheme by
which king TO reign four years should
be chosen alternately from the rival
houses Of Malietoa and Tupua, and he
himself became prime minister. Within
q yenr he was deposed and carried of in a
British ship. Then followed In rapid sue
cession government by Laupepa, by the