The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-10
Tho Senate and Samoa.

The Introduction OF o resolution into tho
Senate calling upon Mr.. GRESHAM for Q
statement Of the present condition OF affairs
in Samoa may lead to clearer knowledge
regarding that unfortunate archipelago Of
the South Seas. In calling. also. for any
correspondence which has passed between
the Unltod States. Great Britain. and Ger
many. touching the management Of the
islands. the resolution evidently aims to
ascertain whether there should not be some
modification OF tho Berlin compact upon
which the existing Government Is founded.
1t must be evident that dissatisfaction
with what great part OF the natives re-
gard as foreign tyranny. Is the real cause
OF the chronic uneasiness. with periodical
outbreaks. that has marked the last few
years in Samoa. 1t Is true that two specific
causes have been assigned for the troubles
recently reported. One was the punishment
by fines Of certain chiefs found guilty Of
disloyalty. and. in default OF payment. by
imprisonment and by labor as convicts on
the public roads. This last was adegrading
penalty which made the followers OF the
chiefs indignant. and. 1t is said. produced
hostilities. The other cause referred to In
the latest tidings. was an order for disarm-
ing. which the natives refused to obey.
Both measures came from the Chief JUS
tice. who is a great source OF power In the
islands. But without dwelling on the ne
cessity or expediency Of either measure.
which is q difficult matter to Judge OF at
this distance. 1t seems plain that these very
incidents are fresh proofs that many of the
natives are not reconciled to the existing
form OF government.
There are indications. too. that the foreign
residents are dissatisfied with the working
OF the new system. which brings larger OK
penses for salaried officers. while the
natives are not able to shoulder their part
Of the taxes. One clear gain seems to have
been effected In the adjudication OF many
OF the land titles. which were In great con-
fusion before the establishment OF the new
Government But on the whole. the triple
protectorate. II such it may be called. has
not proved a shining success. Whether the
Senate resolution will lead to any practical
remedy for the political ills OF the islands
cannot yet be affirmed.
1t Is noticeable. meanwhile, that the Navy
Department has for many months turned
rather deaf ear to the appeals which 90
caslonally come from Samoa for the pres
enoe OF a war ship there. This. Of course. Is
largely due to the fact that our vessels In
the Pacific are needed elsewhere. The re-
volt OF last year was begun and ended be-
fore an American ship could be sent thither.
although Germany. and we believe Great
Britain. had vessel at Apia. But during
the more recent disturbances. there seems
70 have been neither q British nor Ger
man ship there. The three parties to the
Berlin compact do not appear eager 10 carry
out the understanding that they would
take turns in sending q ship to watch
over affairs at the islands. Perhaps inquiry
would show that England and Germany
are as little pleased with the results OF
that compact as Is our own country. But
one thing certain is that the remedy Is not
. still greater degree OF foreign control.
and above all. IL must not be annexation by
a European power.
However. there seems to be noimmedlate
danger to the Government In Samoa. since
King MALIEToA. aided by foreign arms and
resources. has always shown himself able TO
put down = revolt. as last year In the case OF
the eXiled MATAAPA. and lately In the rebel
lion which TAMAsEsk headed.