The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-31
ONE FOREIGN ENHANCEMENT

There Is war in Samoa, and the United
States is in it. Our cruiser, the Phila-
delphia. and the British cruiser Porpoise.
have bombarded some. .villeSca AID drlv-
en- lnetr inhabitants into the bush. \
few Britons and Americans have been
killed or wounded, and civil war RACES.
| with tie dreibund. two parties to
it, keeping the peace by fighting for 1T.
The whole case is a fine Illustration Of
the wisdom of avoiding entangling al
liances Washington dispatches state
that the officials in the state, navy and
war departments were struck with sur
prise at the news, and the country. less
We'll informed, may well wonder what
1t is all about. The story is a long one.
finding its beginning in that itch for ex-
pansion that characterized Grants ad
ministration He sent Steinberger down
to Apia to see what could be done in
the way of annexation, open or disguis-
ed but Steinberger found a softer job as
secretary to the chief boss. Commodore
Maunga, which Grant commended to
congress, but as it involved protec-
torate, the senate cut that out while
accepting the grant of the exclusive har-
Dor privilege at Pango Pango.
This was the entering wedge that has
split the ancient policy and committed
this country to the tri-party agreement
initiated by Cleveland and consummated
by Harrison. This compact was made
by the United States, Germany and
England, for the purpose, expressed in
the preamble, of providing for the Sc
curity of the life, property and trade
of the citizens of the respective coun-
tries resident in the islands. The inde-
pendence of the islands was declared,
and the free right of the natives to elect
their chief king and choose their
form of government according to their
own laws and customs admitted Ma
lietoa was recognized as king. A su-
preme court was established to be pre-
sided over by a chief justice who was to
be named by the three sgnatory pow
ers, 'a man to be learned in the law,
of good repute for his sense of honor
impartiality and justice" whose de-
cision should be final. In case there
should arise a dispute over an election
for king or other chief the chief justice.
that, should any differences arise be-
tween either of the treaty powers and
Samoa, which they should fail to ad-
just. the difference should not be cause
for war, but should be referred to the
chief justice for adjustment on the prin-
ciples of justice and equity
Notwithstanding this agreement tho
discord growing out of conflicting In
terests and jealousies has kept the isl
ands more or less disturbed, the German
officials being envious Of the chief JUS
ticc. who is an American. The death of
Malietoa brought on an election, and the
Germans gave their influence to Ma
taafa, who was defeated in the election
Thereupon he set UP the standard of
revolt and attacked the Maiietoans and
was getting the better of them when our
and the British cruiser took hand in
the game as narrated in our dispatches.
While Cleveland assented to the ~
rangement in his first term. as the best
solution of present difficulty, he had
advanced SO far in his perception of the.
annoyance of these -entanglements by
his second term that he was disposed
to Withdraw. Secretary Gresham was