New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-01
PARTITION or MOA.

The death of King Maletoa mny mean The
end Of Samoan sovereignty. 1t will un1ucs-
tionahly mean much disturbance Of tho pres
cDt status. That has long been foregone con
ousion. Germany has for years been waiting
and watching for an opportunity OF ending An
Arrangement which has never been satisfactory
10 her. or indeed. 10 any Of the parties 10 H.
For some months past her cagoincss 10 abro
gate the treaty recognizing Samoan sovereignty
has been all but understandable. 1t IS too much
10 expcct that she will let the present oppor
tunty pass unmproved. The only question Is
what the other two signatory Powers will say
10 abrogation Of the treaty and consequent par
tition Of the islands
German interests in Samoa arc large. That
must be frankly conceded. But they are not
paramount. It is true the commerce OF Apla
IA chiefly In the hands Of German firms. But
the bulk Of the import 'adc Is British. and
imports considerably exceed exports. The Brit
sh population also largely exceeds the Ger
man. Nor are the interests Of the United States
by any means inconslderab!c. There IS more
frequent and direct steamship communication
with this country than with Germany and
United States treaty rights are at least moral
". by far the greatest of all. The strategic
ain than TO either of the others because she
has the much larger FIJI Islands and other
groups near at hand. TO Germany II is great,
since she has no possession In the Pacific
south or east of the Solomon Islands, two thou
sand miles away. TO this country it is greater
still. for the islands form n halfway station
between our frontier Mt Honolulu on the one
hand and Now.Zeaand and Australia on the
Oih0r.
1t has been the fortune Of the United States
to be led forced into arrangements in Sa-
moa which it has not desired. The Berlin
treaty OK June II. 1889, was one. This Nation
did not desire to enter into a triparitc compact
with two Old World Powers. TO do SO was
contrary to its established policy. Yet It
seemed TO be compelled to do so for the pro-
lection OF its own rights and interests in Sa-
moa and for the preservation Of thu: friendly
kingdom from utter spoliation. II would BE
Improbable &c discuss at this tlmc what else
might. could. should or would have been done
What actually was done was the signing Of
the treaty. and since that time this country has
faithfully maintained the obligations imposed
by that instrument As we observed The other
day. the United States has now no wish TO ter
inmate that treaty But II 1t he forced into
so dong, ana INTO cntpflnS upon another course
which II has not sought, II will undoubtedly
know low to maintain It's interests amid the
now conditions
In point OF area, population resources and
trade the islands are scarcely worth much
wrangling over. One Of the smaller Philippines
Is Of more value than the whole group. The
total area Is LOG square miles. or Onc-iifth
less than that Of the State Of Rhode Island.
The total population Is about $4,000 or three
fifths that of Nevada The total foreign COM
mcrce is less than $6OO,0O0 year. Doubtless
this latter could be greatly increased, for twcn-
ty-nve years age II was much larger than Il IS
now. But 1t could never be great rs 10
make an important figure In our balance sheet.
The chief value OF the Islands is as coaling
and naval station. and port OF call and refuge,
and that value Is secured TO us in the lease Of
PaGo Pago Harbor and must he porpcually
maintained. Should partition Of the group be
| forced the whole island Of Tutulla and the
| lille islets lying east Of 1t would Of course,
| fall to this country and If we should accept
| them only Us full share we should be act
| ing with marked generosity and selfdenlal. for
they form not rearIy one.third Of the group
in area or population.
The proposal Is that We should take Tutuila,