New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-31
TIE NAYAE CATASTROPHE.

The catastrophe at Apia, of which measre
details are furnished from Auckland. has sever
Al morals OF very distinct application. The
first and most important is the expediency OF
conciliatory action at the Berlin Conference
This n,asterful and singulariy terrible interven-
ton of nature in the rivalries OF nations VIII
tend TO facilitate pacific settlement Of the Sa-
moan question. Happily, the fleets which nave
been wrecked on the reefs had not exchanged
broadsides but were lying quietly at their an
chorages when overtalken by the tempest. Inc
Armada had been harassed for weeks in run,
ming fight by Howard, Hawkins, Frobisher ana
Drake and finally attacked by fre-ships anu
dispersed in Calais Roads before mightier
foe than the English completed its destruction
off the orkneys. In the South Seas the fury
NJ the storm has not Disseminated between
German and American war-ships, but has MADE
common snort of them all, while the two Ad-
uirals were awaiting the action of the diplo-
rnatists at Berlin. With the rival feets dasned
against the reefs, and with officers sailors ana
marines eastaways among the natives OF the
islands which have been either overawed OF
protected by the display Of naval force, the
necessity for diplomatic settlement OF the
vexatious Samoan controversy becomes almost
imperative. -
Another lesson, which Americans may well
take to heart is the duty OF increasing tneir
nayyswith all possible dispatch. The Germans
can replace their shattered ships without great
exertion and with comparatively little delay
II was reported not long ago that four Of their
ironelads had been ordered from Genoa to
sydney. and it was limited in the cable dis
patches that the Zanzibar squadron was heading
in the same direction. Either Of these fleets
can be called into requisition without aid from
the Asiatio squadron. The United States will
have greater difficulty in recruiting It's naval
forces in Apia and taking of the shipwrecked
crews. The Monongahels fortunately is On its
way TO the islands, and the Alert is at Honolulu
within easy reach AT Panama vessel cannot
be spared; aud at San Francisco there is non
ship available for service. Thepp are three
antiquated vessels in the Asiatic squadron, the
Omaha, Swatara and Marion; one new dispatch
boat, the Dolphin, and the Palos, which il hard
" better than a towboat. In this emergency
the only resource is to send some Of these ven
cradle relics from China and Hawaii, and to
leave those important stations bare. Such .
situation Is humiliating to American pride. The
movement for providing the country with a
well-equipped modern navy ought to receive
a powerful impulse from the Samoan catas-
tf0phe.
An additional moral may be pointed from
the insecurity afforded by Apia Harbor in one
of those terrific hurricanes to which the islands
are frequently exposed. II is hardly better
than an open roadstead where the storms Of
the southern seas are free to break on ships
ct anchor and TO drive them helplessly against
the reefs. In the adjacent island there Is a
harbor entirely landlocked save at the narrow
entrance, and protected against hurricanes by
lofty mountains on every side. This Is Pago-
Page, which the United States acquired years
ago by treaty as permanent coaling station,
but has utterly neglected to utilize. 1t is the
best and safest harbor in the South Seas-the
only one In which vessels can anchor in Sc
curity when the islands are devastated by a
hurricane. Congress ct the last session took
belated action for securing the permanent &C.
cnpation Of Pago- Page for the purposes contern-
plated by the treaty. The wisdom and pru-
dence of its course have been speedily demon
strated by the terrific storm at Apia. The
Americans have acquired in that harbor most
valuable privileges which are destined TO be Of
increased Importance with the future develop
ment of their trade with Australia and the re-
viyal Of the commercial marine Pago-Pago
should neither be neglected nor surrendered,
but intelligentiy and sagaciously utilized.