New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-01
P1RTLTLON OF MOA.

The death of King Malietca may mean tho
end Of Samoan sovereignty. II will unpucs-
tlonahly mean much disturbance Of tho pres
cDt status. That has long been n foreGone con-
cusion. 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 II.
For some months past her eagoincss 10 abro-
gate the treaty recognizing Samoan sovereignty
has been all but understandable 1t IS too much
to expect that she will let the present oppor-
tuniy pass unimproved. The only question Is
what the other two sgnatory Powers will say
10 abroCaion Of the treaty and consequent par
ttion 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
IL chiefly In the hands Of German firms. But
the bulk Of the import fade is British. and
imports considerably exceed exports. The Brit
ISL population also largely exceeds The Ger
man. Nor are the interests Of the United States
ly any means inconsdcrab!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
importance Of the islands is less TO Great Brit
ain than 10 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 now has no possession In the Pacific
south or cast 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 nj Honolulu on the one
hand and Now-Zealand and Australia on the
othor.
1t has been the fortune OF the United States
to be led or forced into arrangements in Sa-
mOa which 1t has not desired. The Berlin
treaty OK June II. 1850. was one. This Nation
did not desire to enter into a trpartc 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 TIN: friendly
kingdom from utter spoliatiOn. II would be
Improbable &c discuss at this tmc 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 10 tor
inmate that treaty. But II 1t he forced into
so doing, and into entering upon another course
which II has not sought, II will undoubtedly
know how to maintain It's interests amid the
now conditions.
In point OF area, population. resources and
trade the islands arc 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
ffths that Of Nevada. The total foreign COM
mcrce is less than $6OOOOO a year. Doubtless
this latter could be greatly increased, for TWEEN
ty-fve years age 1t was much larger than Il Is
now. But it could never be so great as 10
make an important figure In our balance sheet
The chief value Of the Islands is as coang
and naval station. and port OF call and refuge
and that value Is secured TO us in the lease Of
PaCo Pago Farbor and must he porpoiuly
maintained. Should partition of the group be
forced. the whole island Of Tutulla and the
little sle,s lying east OF It would OF course
fall TO this country. and If we should accent
them only Us full share we should be act
ing with marked generosity and self-dcnlal. for
they form not rearly one.third Of the group
In area or population.
The proposal Is that We should take Tutuila,