The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-10
THE AGREEMENT AS TO SAMOA,
IT SHOWS THAT BNiTAlN is soREi.Y
IN NEED OF FRIENDS.
HID LonGcd For, While Me-
ktnlcy Was PIncntcd.

New York. November "a Tribune dis
patch from London says, Lord Salisbury
is always phlegmatic and intensely prac-
teal on great occasions when the empire
is fairly hanging upon his words. There
was not trace of emotion or excitement
in his speech at the Guild hall banquet
where be and Lord Wolseley We're re-
ceiyed like conquer'ng heroes. lie began
on Samoa as quietly as though he wSre
describing a bargain in trade and pointed
out that Germany was specially Interest
ed in the territory there and had go.
what she wanted whereas England did
not need a poor harhor llge Apla, but a
good one like that in Tonga. With the
sententious comment that England's re-
lations with Germany were all that could
be desired he passed 10 an equally prac-
teal discussion OF the war He c1ntended
that the lack of troops in South Africa was
not due TO want of action, since an ulti-
matum would have come earlier IL the
troops had been increased earlier He d.
scribed the real cause OF hostilities as the
untavorable arrangements of 1881, by
which a country admittedly hostile was
allowed to accumulate unbounded NUM-
tons of war. The object of English war
fare he asserted. was neither gold nor
territory. bat equal rights for all men and
the issue of the conflict would be good
government In South Africa,
The prime minister's speech was re-
markable for the GOODNESS and lack OF
sensibillty with which supreme questions
of diplomacy and war were summe1 up,
yet it was powerful ana subtle appeal II
everyday English common sense and rea-
sonsbleness. Ii tended to minimize con-
troversy and excitement and brought out
the best English trait--sobriety of judg-
ment. The diplomatic world aud the lead
ing writer's are still discussing the Berlin
disclosure of the relations of England ana
Germany as the most important topic Of
the times. America is generally admitted
to have come out we'll
The States have obtained the best harb0t
In that quarter of the Pacific. The inipor-
tance OF Page Page as a coaling and naval
station has greatly increased since the oc-
cupation OF Manila. America Low haa .
naval base which can be strongly fortified,
and good haven OF which the advantage
may be taken in the development Of the
trade of the South seas If the example OF
Canada, England and Germany be fol-
lowed in Substituting steamship lines ul-
der the American flag.
The state department has also increased
American prestige" By asking for Eli
ropean guarantees for an open door
principle in the Far East, and is credited
with having obtained q favorable answer
I from GERMANY.
The settlement of the Samoan question
has created an era of good feeling be-
tween America on the one side and both
England and Germany on the otn,., and
has left the United States in full 20 ;ses-
sion of everything which could reasonably
have been asked for. Germany has ra--
ried off the prize for which she has long
been struggling IN the South Paoliic and
has not paid heavily for it, either in that
quarter or Zanzibar. or in West Africa.
The disclosure of this series of transfers
of territory and jurisdiction enables the
German emperor to claim credit Of having
made good bargain with England with
out exciting American resentment. aud
justifies his journey to Windsor in war
time, where he will be received like q
faithful ally.
England's interest In Samoa Was mainly
sentimental and conferred in memories of
Stevenson. When America retained the
island of Tutuila and left England and
Germany free to come 70 an agre ement
over the other two large islands--of which
only one was worth havlng-it was evil
dent that there were not two bites in the
cherry Germany now has tne whole
cherry. What is carried over to England S
profit is the good will of Germany IN the
larger transaction now IN progress in
South Africa, ana her moral support III
ayerting Russian and French intrigue in
Persia and Morocco.
The Berlin disclosure leaves unexplained
the secret agreement reached by the Brit-
ish and German governments year ago,
by virtue of which England has free
hand in South Africa. It only reveals the
supplementary results OF that secret an
Outstanding In the series of minor settle
ments recently effected. The American
government, If it has not directly inspired
the Samoan agreement has been consult
ed at every stage and sanctioned it IN adj
vance,
! Even soldiers IMMERSED IN politics and
| diplomacy are in touch with the spirit q
the new relations between England and
Germany. At a dinner attended by roll
diers, well known headquarters staff
! general. lately holding an important conn
nland in the United Kingdom, apologize
| for using foreign phrase but added tina
\ II was borrowed from very good language
when he quoted German phrase. Loud
applause followed from the British soldiers
at the table.