The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-12-07
A BLIGHTING INFLUENCE.
An International Effort to Keep Rum
from the Islands of the Pacific Ocean.

An International Effort to Keep Rum
from the Islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Another step in the worldwide cru
SADIE against rum has been taken. The
United States government has given
its final consent to a convention among
the various European governments
having colonies among the islands of
the Pacific ocean, collectively denomi-
mated Polynesia, to stop the sale of
liquor among the natives. The propo-
sition originated with Great Britain,
and was first preached in 1884. At
that time Secretary of State Freling-
huysen concurred in the general prop
osition brought to his attention by the
British minister at Washington. Since
then the project has been urged upon
all the governments having interests
in Polynesia. No definite plan was
submitted to the United States for
! formal ratification until July last.
This plan, SO framed by the govern
ment of Great Britain, was accepted
! by Secretary of State John w. Foster,
! in an official note to the British minis
| ter, on October IL. The secretary's
note suggested certain minor moditica-
tons as to details, and then went on to
discuss the relations of this govern
ment to the matter as follows:
while the sentiments and convictions Of this
government indorse the effective restriction OF
doleterous commerce with the Pacific island
ers, the method of giving expression thereto is
7 rf1, inf pad hy N mol Py
and interests between the United States and
| the great European states In the Pacific ocean
! This disparity has become even greater since
| the present proposal was first put forth in 1884
! Nearly all Of Polynesia has now passed under
| European jurisdiction. Were the United States
a colonizng power, expanding its jurisdiction
in the same way as the Other great powers
| among the islands of the western Pacific Ques
ton might legitimately arise as TO the share OF
responsibility that properly should fall TO US IL
the public control of these regions
LAS it is, the government of the United State:
| Is without colonial interest of any kind in tina
| quarter OF the globe, and its administrative re
| sponsibilities are remotely confined to partici
patton in the encouragement of good govern
ment and autonomy in the Samoan group I,
| the colOniziug or protecting powers the question
at issue becomes largely a matter of loea
municipal government; to the United States /
| Is one OF moral influence ana Corulal COOperaliol
within the Just limits Of domestic and snterna
tioual rights. Although its responsibilities il
the matter are not so great, this government i
| none the less interested in the humanitarian
purposes OF the proposed convention, and l an
happy to express, by direction Of the presiSent
his assent to its general scope"
The necessity for such action need
no discussion. The inhabitants of thes,
scattered island groups are savages
Morally they are not advanced beyon'
the stage of childhood. They have no
the strong moral sense of civilized
races, and therefore give loose rein Il
their appetites aud passions. Where 81
many yield in the same way, after cen
turies of civilization, one cannot won
der that savage people become the IN
veterate slaves of the vices introduced
among them by white men. There /
30 way of reaching them On the mora