New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-23

IL struck the Germans as particularly ABSURD
since we were forced to admit that the Samoans
were incapable of carrying on complete gov
eminent that would endure twenty-fOur hours
in the present condition of affairs in the
islands the dilemma being, therefore, whether
the necessary interference should be an orderly
and authorized one. or that of irresponsible
individuals forever quarrcng with each other
as to who should rule the King. This dilemma
could not be denied and yet our Commissioners
had to declare that the United States would not
undertake to administer the islands nor permit
any other Power to do so, nor to administer
them jointly with another Power, nor consent
10 any foreign influence which mcnaced Sa-
moan control of purely Samoan affairs. The
lines within which an agreement was possible
were therefore exceedingly narrow, and they
were lines, be it remembered, fixed by our
selves.
Within those lines this treaty has been
framed. 1t admits every American principle.
secures every American right, and comedies
the rights of Germany and England as they
existed before Admiral Knobb and DR.. Stucbel
deposcd Maietoa and established Tamasese as
SamoaS King and Germany'S tool. 1t leaves
tho natives the undSputed masters OF their
own affairs except as their affairs become also
the affairs of the treaty Powers. 1t admits
what cannot be denied. that the natives have
not the strength. even if they have the ability
to make and administer just laws concerning
the foreign interests 1t would be folly for us
to proclaim them paper masters ana theh
leave them in their ignorance and weakness
again to get into the ScrapcS which rendered
this treaty necessary. To prevent that gov
crnmcnt has been instituted. to which Is com
mittcd the administration of all international
concerns under a code Of general laws securing
its. independence of any power, but holding 1t
dependent upon all. Germany takes her place
as one of three combined forces, from which in
combination proceeds every authority, but
which, separate and distinct. possess none at
all. except the ultimate one inherent in every
sovereign
The functions 10 be performed under this
code appcrtain chiefly to an Executive and
Judge. They must be appointed by the three
Powers. concurrcntly, or by an arbitcr They
may be removed by any two of the Powers.
No one Power can exercise any authority over
them. and within the range of their jurisdc
ton. under the general laws provided for their
guidance. their acts and decisions are open to
no question. Any one who objects TO this
scheme must find his alternative in the superior
influence Of some one Power. and that is the
one thing America opposes. To raisc the oh
lection that there is no appeal from the courts
decisions implies that there can hc found some
one to appeal to. If to one Of the treaty
Powers, then that Power is lifted above the
others. and no other authority could be APP
pointed against whom the objection made in
the first instance would not equally apply.
The virtue Of thi, treaty is that il cqualizcs
national interests in Samoa through machinery
competent to conduct those public affairs
wherein the Powers have "A proper concern
making it the interest Of each Loyalty 10 sup
port that machinery, and rendering it possible
10 mono 20 abuse it. No American can suggest
an objection to it which would not come with
equal force from a German or an EngiiS5man
some sort Of government, aside from that OF
the Samoans, had 10 Doe provided. Human
agencies in It's administration were the only
ones possible. In choosing those agencies, and
in defining their duties. no Power could hope to
do more than 10 secure 70 them fair oppor-
tunity TO perform their duty honestly and well
If they do less than this, IT will not impoach
the system nor stop any sovereign from the
exercise Of all those ultimate rcmcde, by which
nations right their wrongs.