The times., 1899-04-23
THE ORIGIN OF THE
SAMOAN TROUBLE
Religious Prejudice Alleged as
the Cause.
Lloyd 0sbourne's Letter Discussed
by an English Writer.
The Question of Partition Lord
Chief Justice Russell and the Tip
EviI-PrimrOse Day.

London. April pa letter from Mr..
Lloyd Osbourne in Truth is accepted in
the English press as throwing new light
between Mr. Osbourne and the London
Missionary Society tends to obscure the
issue. Mr.. Osbourne declares that the es-
sential cause of the present quarrel is re-
ligion. Mataafa is Catholic, Malietoa Tanu
is at the London Missionary Society's Co..
lege, and the Chief Justice is a IMAM of the
narrowest evangelican views" Hence, Mr..
-0sbourne thinks, the rejection of Mataafa
and the subsequent bombardment.
The Secretary of the London Missionary
Society denies that Malietoa Tanu is the
candidate OF the society, or that mission
aries have been mixing in politics. The
public suspends Judgment, with the feeling
that the mere suggestion that narrow
sectarian prejudice has been in any way re-
sponsible for the trouble is deplorable, but,
upon the question of the ultimate issue of
the trouble, strong feelings are held by
those her who claim to know Samoa best
Germany, they say, should quit If peace is
TO be assured, but politicians know that
Germany will not quit, and, relations being
what they are between England and Ger
many in Europe and Africa, British minis
ters can hardly be expected 10 attempt TO
force Germany out against her will.
Then" say Samoan experts here, eat
least do not let Germany walk eff with the
oyster while you and the United States en-
joy the Shells In other words, Don't
follow the proposal which Mr.. Reeves, the
agent general for New Zealand, has been
urging upon the Government here, namely
TO let Germany have the best and most
important island, Upolu, well-wooded and
with several good rivers, England being
put on with the volcanic island of Sayail,
which is streamless and useless, while the
United States would take Tutuila, with the
harbor of Pago Pago. which is excellent, it
is true, but a harbor which, as Secretary
Carlisle admitted in his day, is practically
useless without elaborate defences.
Here are Secretary Carlisle's words, as
reported to me by an Englishman who
called upon him at Washington on his way
back from Samoa: Dump down at Pago
Pago 10000 tons of coal, and 1t Will cost
you ss50,000 year, and fleet 10 protect
it. The game is not worth the candle
He said other things which must not be
quoted.
To Prohibit Bribery.
Lord Chief Justice Russell is making a
courageous effort TO deal with one of the
worst features OF English commercial life
namely Illicit secret commissions. On
Thursday he introduced, and the House OF
Lords read for the first time. bill extend
ing to private business the principle of
the statute which makes the bribery of
public servants criminal offence. The
difficulty. of course, is that secret Illicit
commissions, more often than not. are
closked in the guise OF friendly private
gifts of new hats. hampers, cases of cham
pagne, and presents at Christmas, with
which no law can deal. Lord Russelfs bill
81 . ha nrfnH nal nj
and also makes the condition that tho
valuable consideration was not calculated
or intended, and had no tendency, TO cor
rupt the agent" Here we have the honest
legislators revolt against the huge tip sys-
TEN which has eaten itself into English
life. Obviously he can only succeed il
supported by public opinion, and especially
by men of business themselves. Public
opinion at present, it must be admitted.
seems less perturbed than the CHIEF
Justice.
Wednesday was Primrose Day, and ev-
cry lane in the country surrounding the
metropolis was ransacked to provide ardent
Tories with floral tributes to their patron
saint. Lord Beaconstield. Everyone now
knows that the late earl cared nothing at
all for the primroses except in salads, but
that makes no difference. The Primrose
League, with its imperial grand knights,
councillors, and danes. is the backbone of
the Tory party today, and on "Wednesday
the London streets and even the benches
OF both houses OF Parliament were streaked
with the yellow favors, in every Tory's but
tonhole The Liberal Unionists with Mr..
Chamberlain at their head, wear the en-
blem with becoming shyness, remembering
the past. though on rare occasions they do
favor Primrose League platforms.
Lady Peggy Primrose's Marriage.
Unfortunately for the Tory monopoly in
primroses, Thursday was another prim-
rose day, and Liberal primrose day. too,
for Lady Peggy Primrose, daughter OF Lord
Rosebery, was married in Westminster
Abbey, and primroses were again in favor
and the crowds in the purlieus of the alb
hey, necessitating an entire stoppage OF
traffic. were the greatest tribute yet paid
to Lord Rosebery's popularity with high
and low. glimpse of his many s.dedness.