The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-06-29

From Our San Francisco Correspondent
The Samoan Treaty was signed on
June 18th. The draft guarantees the
autonomous administration OF the ISL
ands under joint control of Germany and
America. England acting as arbitrator
in the event of differences arising. The
Samoans are to elect their own King and
Viceroy and to be represented in SEN
ate composed of the principal chiefs, and
chambers elected by the people. Samoa
is to have the right of levying duties of
every kind. The treaty also stipulates
that the Germans shall receive money
indemnity for their losses. A special
court will be appointed to deal with the
land question The Americans made
their adhesion conditional upon the
ratification of the treaty by the United
States Senate. The status quo will,
therefore, obtain in Samoa until Deem
Der. Phelps viii carry the treaty to
Washington. The Samoan treaty will
not be published until it is signed by
the American Government.
thanked Herbert Bismarck for the
courteous manner in which they had
been treated, and they warmly praised
the skill and tact with which he had
presided over the deliberations of the
conference.
Sir Edward Malet thanked Count Her
bert on behalf of the English delegates.
Count Herbert in reply said he hoped
they had reached the final solution of
the difficult question.
The London POSTS Berlin correspon-
dent says: The Samoan treaty arranges
for the restoration of Malietoa and for
the appointment of German and Amer
lean advisers to the King, with an Eng
lish counselor to adjust the balance. The
American delegates have the utmost
confidence that the treaty will be rati
fed by the United States Senate.
The agreement between England,
Germany and the United States on Sa-
moan affairs was signed at Berlin on
June 18th. 1t will not be made public
until confirmed by the Senate. While
it is called an agreement by the officers
of the State Department, Walker Blaine
said that be thought it would undoubt-
edIy require ratification by the Senate.
If the instrument signed were one regu-
lating the conduct of two countries to-
ward each other as for instance between
the United States and Samoa, it would
properly be designated as a treaty, but
where the instrument signed is to shape
the conduct of three governments, viz,
the United States, England and Ger
many towards fourth party, Samoa, it
is held that its proper nomenclature is
an agreement. At the same time as it
is matter affecting the foreign policy
of the United States it is said that it
will need ratification by the Senate and
that therefore it cannot be made public
prior to action by the Senate. The agree
ment was cordially approved by all the
members of the conference and by their
respective governments. The best OF
feeling prevailed at the termination of
the labors of the commissioners.
The Berlin correspondent of the Lon
don Times says: The Americans have
undoubtedly emerged from the Samoan
conference with flying colors. Germany
has to content herself with much less
political performance in Samoa than
she claimed at Washington two years
ago. The result is much more due to
the firm and memorable attitude of
Blaine than to any political leanings of
England toward the power which it is
her highest aim to cOnciliate.
The Times in an editorial on the Sa-
moan agreement, says: Perhaps it is as
we'll that Prince Bismarck has been
made to realize that where American in
terests are concerned the American Gov
eminent is very little affected by many
of those considerations which restrain the
action of those European Governments
with which he is more accustomed to
deal. It is easy to see that there might
be many reasons why it might be expe-
dent for England to follow the line of
policy in regard to German action in
Samoa which it is natural and necessary
for America to pursue. It is not the less
plain that even Germany must think
twice or thrice before provoking a
collision with America over such ques-
ton. Therefore, we rejoice at the influ-
ence OF America, so moderately and
effectually exerted.
The American delegates to the Samoan
Conference are much complimented on
the result of their labors. VIM. Walter
Phelps is regarded by every one as the
coming United States Minister, though
he himself denies that he has been
offered the position. The official press
is disinclined to dwell upon the matter
of the Samoan settlement, all the glory
of which is lost to Germany, and brief
paragraph in the North German Gazette
on the conclusion of the Conference
states that the agreement was arrived at
with perfect unanimity by the powers
represented and to the satisfaction of all
parties concerned.
The treaty is short one, making only
5000 words; yet so many points were in
dispute that it took nine days to cable
the text to Washington and make
lamentations and get the documentready
for signature.
Several provisions of the Samoan
treaty will be enforced before the treaty
is formally ratified. The Consuls at
Apia will forthwith invite the Samoans'
adhesion to the treaty.
The Cologne Gazette says that Ger
many considers the question of ruler
of Samoa as secondary to that of the
security of the lives and property of for
eign residents depending upon indepen-
dent foreign officials.
1t was reported at Washington that
ex-Consul- General SeWell will return to
Apia as the representative of the United
States at that port There are strong
Republican influences at work to secure
Mr. Sewell's reappOintment. among them
the ''pull'' of Senator Frye and Secre-
tary Blaine.
Death of Lieutenant Heath.