The sun., 1890-01-22

King Of Noy1eav and StoedeH." That is to cay
supposinR Germany names a candidate OBJ
noxious TO American interests In Samoa,
and Great Britain continues to play Ger
many's game, under the mysterious under
standing which seems to exist between those
two Governments In regard to matters OF
colonial extension In the South Pacific or else
where, the appointments Is to be made at Stock
holm; and II It should happen that the COM
bined influence Of British and German d.
plomacy should outweigh our own In that
quarter, we should have secured the inde-
pendence OF Samoa" by assisting In the estab-
lishment OF German potentate In those
Islands exercising almost limltless power
under the misleading title of Chief Justice
And we should be helpless whatever out
RACES on American rights or interests the
German Chief Justice might commit Our
complaints and differences would go TO the
Chief Justice himself for adjustment, under
the provisions Of the treaty we had ratified.
Our sole dependence would be upon the JUS
tice and equity Of Supreme Court of one
person. nominated with Great Brltain's ap-
proval by the Government that sent KNAPPH
and STKuBKL and BECKER and Capt.
FRTTZB Of the Adler to Apia- and backed
BRANDEIs throughout his audacious opera
tlons. No matter how fragrant might be
the misbehavior Of the German Chief JUS
tice, no matter how far the interests OF
American citizens might suffer under his
rule. we should still be helpless. The treaty
provides that the Chief Justice shall be re-
moved only upon the request OF the ma
jority Of the three treaty Powers" While
Germany and England stood together, out
ragged public sentiment In America might
howl In vain.
There is another aspect OF the question.
By our treaty OF friendship and commerce
with Samoa OF Jan. II, 1878, concluded a year
before the first Samoan treaty with Ger
many. and more than year before the first
Samoan treaty with Great Britain, the
United States acquired certain rights and
privileges In the Samoan group which the
greatness OF our future commerce with
Australia may render immensely valuable
The naval station at Pagopago Is one OF
those acquisitions. Secretary WHITNEY un-
derstood its value, and we do not believe
that It's Importance Is underestimated by the
Senate. The new treaty declares that In
every case where its provisions shall be
Inconsistent with the provisions OF former |
treaties, the provisions OF the new treaty |
shall prevail The final Interpretation Of |
the provisions Of the new treaty belongs to |
The Chief Justice who Is also the court Of |
ast resort in tho complicated land questions
which may affect or practically destroy the
value Of our rights in Pagopago Bay. Here
again the United States will be at the mercy
If the irresponsible and autocratic Chief JUS
ice, whom 1t helps to commission by ratify-
ng this triumph Of American diplomacy,
,ut in whose appointment 1t may have no
,olce whatever, and whose removal from
'1ice it may be powerless to procure.
1t is the duty of the Senate to consider the
PRACTICAL effect OF the treaty upon American
interests and in doing 80 the Senate must
lot assume that German diplomacy has been
utwitted at Berlin by Mr.. PHELPS, the VEN
rable KAssoN, and Mr.. BATES. 1t must
ot assume that the persistent policy Of
ears has been abandoned by the German
'oreign Office out Of respect to American
otions Of what is fair, just, and equitable in
he dealings Of nations with each other. And
1t must not assume that in
uestlons between Germany and the United
tates concerning Samoan affairs, Great
'ritain will occupy the position of an impair
lal third party sure to throw the weight Of
er decisive vote with us whenever justice
on our side.
The probabilities all point the other way.
We do not think that anybody familiar with
ne history OF the Samoan question can
tudy the text Of this proposed treaty with
npartial judgment. and not como to the
that its ratification In It's present
'rm will be a great step toward the COM
lete ascendency of German influence in the
teresting islands where the heroic officers
nd sailors Of the Nipslc, the Vandalia, and
le Trenton lost their lives last March.