Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-12-22
A BLlaHTING INFLUENCE.

An International Effort 60 Keep Kun
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 1854 AT
that time Secretary of State Freling
huysen coneurred in the general prop
osition brought to his attention by the
British minister at Washington, Since
then the project has been urged upon
ali 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 modihca-
tions as to details, and then went on 10
discuss the relations of this govern
ment to the matter as follows:
while the sentiments and convictions 81 this
government indorse the effective restriction Of
deleterious commerce with the Pacific island
ers. the method OF giving expression thereto is
necessarily influenced by the disparity OF policy
and interests between the United States and
the great European states in the Pacific ocean
This disparity has become even greater since
tire present proposal was first put forth in 1881
Nearly al OF Polynesia has now passed under
European jurisdiction Were the United States
o cololizing power, expanding It's jurisdiction
IN he same way as the other great powers
among the islands Of the western Pacific. CUES
tion might legitimaiely arise as TO the share Of
responsibility that property should fan TO US in
the public control Of these regions
As it Is, the government Of the United states
IS without colonial interest Of any kind IN that
quarter OF the globe. and its administrative re
sp3nsibilities are remotely confined TO parfici
patton ia the announcement Of good govern.
ment and autonomy ia the samoan group To
the coionizing or protecting powers the question
at issue becomes largely 3 matter Of local
municipal government. 10 fhc Omitted States IL
IS enc Of neral influence and c@org.ial Incorporation
within the Just limits of domestic and inrcrua
tioaai rights Although It's responsibilities in
The matter are not So great. This Government is
nane the less interested in the humanitarian
purposes Of the proposed convention, and I am
happy TO express, hy direction Of The president
hisassert 10 its general scope
The necessity for such action needs
no discussion. The inhabitants OF these
scattered island groups are savages.
Morally they are not advanced beyond
the STAGE Of childhood. They have not
the strong mora cns Of civilized
races. and Therefore give loose rein to
their appetites and passions. Where SO
many yield in the same way. after cen
turtles Of civilization. ome cannot won
der that savage people become the in
vctesate slaves 81 the vices Introduced
among them by white men. There is
~ way Of reaching them on the moral