The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-26
TROUBLE IN SAMOA.
Is Being Stirred Up by German
Action.
New York. Aug. 25.-A dispatch t

| New York, Aug. 25.-A dispatch to
! the Herald from Washington says:
Trouble is brewing over the Samoan
| Islands, which, under the treaty of 1890,
are governed under a joint protectorate
Great Britain.
Germany had marked the islands for
her own before the treaty was negoti-
ated, but her scheme for absorbing
them was blocked chiefly by the United
States, which by the treaty of 1878 had
acquired the right to establish a naval
station at Page Page harbor and had
virtually established a protectorate
over the islands.
Under the tripartite arrangement
Germany has been a disturbing factor
and has endeaVOred to procure adyan-
tages superior to those of the United
States and Great Britain. Mr.. Cleve-
land favored withdrawing from the
joint prOtectOrate but President Nc
kinley is determined to retain all rights
in Samoa guaranteed to this country
by the treaty. He is now taking steps
to improve and fOrtify PagO PagO har-
Dor and dispatches from Europe show
that Germany does not like this action.
The recent proposition advanced by
the Marble Poische Corresponds, that
the islands should be divided ENGLAND
taking Savale, Germany Upola and
America Tutuila, it is believed here,
was inspired by German government as
a feeler for the purpose of finding out
how the United States and Great Brit
division proposed would give Germany
the best of the islands and Great Brit
ain the worst.
AS far as the United States is con-
cerned the proposition to partition the
group will not be considered for an in
slant. On the other hand it is the con-
viction that Germany had some scheme
on foot that led the administration to
take steps for the immediate occupation
of Page Page harbor under the rights
conferred by the treaty of 1873.
Correspondence is now in progress
between the United States and Ger
many that may lead to serious friction.
Recently the municipal council of the
district of Apia became involved in a
dispute over proposition to extend
the municipal boundaries of the district,
which were laid down in the treaty of
1890 The chief justice, man recon-
mended by the United States, decided
in favor of extending the boundaries
The result was to include the prop
erty of certain Germans and to subject
it to higher taxation. The German gov
eminent protested, on the ground that
the chief justice had exceeded his pow
ers.
The reply of the United States was
that, though the action of the chief
justice might not have been strictly in
accordance with the treaty, it was sim
liar to action taken by former chle1
justice, who was nominated by Ger
many, and that in view of this preced-
ent it ought to stand, or the treaty
ought TO De mOdlHed SO as TO pTONlue
for such contingencies. 1t was strongly
insisted that the United States was en-
titled to equal rights with Germany.
Germany in reply admitted that if the
precedent was right the present action
of the chief justice ought to stand but
she has not decided to consent to
modification of the treaty by an ex-
change of notes. 1t is thought probable
that there will have to be eventually
a new commission to frame new
treaty and if so, it is not improbable
that Germany will then propose the
partition of the islands. This the United
States will not consent to.
Great Britain has always taken
rather passive interest in Samoan af-
fairs. but there is no doubt that her in
fiuence will, in the future as in the
past, be thrown in the side of the
United States.