Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-19
THE SAMOAN COMMISSION.

THE SAMOAN COMMISSION.
The Commissioners appointed TO the
Samoan Conference are men the nation can
implicitly trust 10 vindicate its honor.
Mr.. Kasson is a man of political expert
ence, and has served his country abroad
with distinction in negotiating postal con-
ventions, and as Minister, first to Austria
and secondly to Germany. he has had
legislative experience, and hss served in
various other public capacities. He is a
man of high legal attachments, is of clear
Judgment and firm in his convictions. VIM.
Walter Phelps has had long anG very
active political and Congressional expert
ence, and is lawyer of fine ability. He,
too, has served the nation abroad as Minis
ter to Austria He is a mar of high
scholastic accomplishments, and mis- con-
nection with leading educational institu
tions OF the nation is Of very important
character. He is an ardent American, a
courageous man, and strongly impressed
with the necessity for vigorous foreign
policy for the United States. Mr.. Bates,
the remaining member, is lawyer of ac-
knowledged ability, who has made Amer
lean treaties and foreign relations special
study. He was sent out to Samoa by the
late Administration to examine into the
difficulties out of which the present irrita-
ton has grown. He made himself thor
oughly intelligent upon the subject, and
espousing the views taken by Consul-G en-
eral Sewall fell into disfavor with Score
tary Bayard. In all the recent agitation
Mr. Bates has approved Mr.. Sewall's posi-
tion and fortified him in it. With these
three Mr.. Sewall will go out to Berlin as
Secretary of the Commission nominally,
but really to serve the Commissioners by
informing them as to facts the German
Knappes and Brandels may put in ISSUE
There is reason to anticipate from such
Commission report that will result in
the Inauguration of stronger policy re-
garding the rights of the United States in
Pacific isles; policy that will be opposed
to any further seizure of island groups in
the Pacific by European powers; policy
that will demand the recognition and
maintence Of the independence of the ma
tive island governments, and insure their
ports in neutrality to all nations, that into
and out of them all may freely trade
According to present advices Germany
has abandoned her unwarranted declara-
ton of war against Samoa, has re-
moved and recalled her obnoxi-
GUS agent, and an ..over-zealous Con-
sul-General, and has made overtures to
Mataafa for the establishment of peace
between his following and the Tennessee
faction. That these receding steps are the
result of the manifestations of American
sentiment, in large part, cannot be doubted;
they are, however, unquestionably due in
part also to the discreet judgment of
Prince Bismarck and to his sense of
justice, which in his eventful career has
more than once checked the ambition of
his nation in the attainment of desired
ends.
No settlement of the Samoan question
is likely to be reached that does not in
vo{ve the restoration of Malietoa, whom
the Germans deported first to Germany,
then to Zanzibar, and finally have brought
back SO near to his home as the Marshall
Islands. In the history of Polynesia no
mere inexcusable or tyrannical action has
been recorded than the seizure of this
Samoan ruler, and the placing in his seat
CT the half.caste pretender Tamesese
Germany will insist upon her ancient
claim, that as German interests are greatly
larger in Samoa than those Of the English
or Americans, Germany shall therefore
have more potential voice in local regu-
lation, and be recognized as entitled to
more of consideration in the adjustment
Of the question who is entitled to rule
over the islands. But we apprehend that
the American Commissioners will directly
antagonize this claim, and will insist that
the extent of commercial and landed in
terests of the Treaty Powers shall cut no
considerable figure before the confer
ence. The deliberations of the joint
Commission must proceed from the treaty
basis only, and must rise superior to any
questions of trade whatever. They will
not invoke the questions of political su-
premacy, but of fair and just interpreta-
ton of treaty obligations, and insistence
will be made that they be conformed to.
and, as to infringement in the past.
that the wrong done shall be righted.
Under no circumstances is il likely that
the American Commissioners will consent
to the establishment by any foreign Power
of even partial foreign control over the
Samoan Government. On the contrary,
our representatives will certainly stand
firm for the recognition and maintenance
Of the independence of the Samoan
Islands, with joint consular control prob
ably ever Apia for the protection Of
foreign residents.
PAID B0AhDS