The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-09

the Germans, practically. But, in time
of peace, the bulk OF the import trade
is British. and imports considerably ex-
coed exports. The British population
also largely exceeds the German. Nor
are the interests of the United States
by any means inconsiderable. There is
more FREQUENT and direct steamship
communication with this country than
with Germany, and United States
treaty rights are, at least morally by
far the greater of all.
Owing to the proximity of the FIJI
islands the British are not in any par
ticular need of Samoa for strategic pur-
poses. But they are all important to
Germany, not as the Germans pretend,
on account Of commerce and colonlsts,
but because she now has no possessions
in the Pacific south or east Of the Solo,
mon islands, two thousand miles away
To the United States it is greater still,
for the islands form a halfway station
between our frontier at Honolulu on the
one hand and New Zealind and Aus
tralia OH the other.
The United States has been dragged
into this three-cornered policy in Sa-
moa mainly in the interest of humanity,
to keep that country from utter spolla-
ton. Whether it viii have accomplish
ed its purpose by relinquishing its
rights there at this time or not, may
not. be altogether clear; and the desir-
ability of taking one-third of the terri
tory to end perpetual row with Ger
many and, possibly. to avoid seri-
Gus clash in time, is likewise an open
question.
Looking at their area, population, re-
sources and trade the islands are
scarcely worth much wrangling over.
One of the smaller Philippines is OF
more value than the whole group. The
total area is 1876 square miles, or one
fifth less than that of the state OF
Rhode Island The total population is
about 35, 900, or three-fifths that of Ne
vada The total foreign commerce is
less than 100000 a year. But, as this
was larger two decades ago than 1t IS
now there is chance for improvement
in that direction. If it were doubled
it wouldn't make an important figure in
our balance sheet. The chief value of
the islands is as a coaling and naval
station, and port of call and refuge,
and that value is secured to us in the
lease of Page Page harbor, and must
be perpetuallv maintained.
In the event of partition of the is
lands. which Germany has long desired
and which English sentiment is now
demanding, in all probability the whole
island of Tutuila and the little islets
lying east of it would fall to this coun-
try. and if we should accept them only
as our full share we should be acting
with becoming modesty and self-denial,
for they form not nearly one-third of
the group in area or population.
There has been a sort of tacit I'M
derstanding that we should take Tu-
tuila, Germany Upolu, and Great Brit
ain Savaii. In that case we should
have the best harbor in the whole
group, Germany would have the chief
seat Of commerce, and Great Britain
would have the largest area of land.
Each of the three would thus have in
one respect the best of the bargain.
But, the question arises, are we look
ing for any islands? Do we need any?
Are we not trying hard to let so of
some hot ones that we picked up in a
warm battle?
1t seems that something should be
done to end the strain which Samoa has
put upon the otherwise friendly rela-
tions between this country and Ger
many Besides, no good can result to
this nation from a tripartite league
with European powers. Whatever ter
ritory we control let US govern il alone
or relinquish control. If the Philip
pines are not worth the trouble it will
take to govern and civiIize them GER
tainly the Samoan islands are not.