New-York tribune., 1899-02-11
RESPONSIBILITY IN SAMOA.

The Tribune's special correspondence from
Honolulu yesterday presented the most lucid
and convincing exposition Of the Samoan COM
plications that has yet been made. 1t was in
the form of an interview with Mr. Harold NJ.
Sewall. who was formerly United States Consul
at Apla. who distinguished himself there by
his ability and his unfailing devotion to Amerl-
can interests. and who is to-day one of the
best authorities in the world on the general
Samoan Question. His official obligations re-
strained Mr.. sewall from speaking as fully on
the subject as he might otherwise have done.
But he said much. and Of what he dd say
there can be no mistaking the purport
Mr. Sewall recognizes the unfortunate teat-
urcs of the trpartite system Of control But he
does not attribute the difficulties entreiy OF
even chiefly thereto. He remembers that Ger
many acted badly in the crisis OF 1885, ana ne
regards the conduct Of German officials in the
present case as 'atrocous. though he hopes
with, we trust. good reason-that the German
Government did not inspire and does not coun-
tenance their msdeeds. He sees that Germany
is persistently doing all she can to Increase her
influence in Samoa. with the view OF one day
getting sole possession Of the Islands. 1t is, OF
course. proper for her TO do so, so long as she
respects the treaty TO which she Is nerseH
marty. But not TO German intrigues and az
crcssions does Mr.. Sewall charge the CHER
responsibility for the present trouble.
No. regrcttabe as ii is, the charge must be
made against the United States itself or against
It's late Administration Mr.. Sewall truly says
that the policy Of the second Cleveland Admin
,stration seemed to be mainly devoted TO the
destruction of the work which faithful Amerl-
can officials had done in Samoa. That ADMIN
,stration repeatedly sought TO secure our WITH
drawal from Samoa and encouraged Germany
70 arrOgate to herself paramount control.
Thvarted nv the Senate in his attempt TO abro-
gate the treaty which protected American rights
and interests in Samoa Mr.. Cleveland delib-
erately kept. during his term OF ONCE al
American naval vessels out of Samoan waters.
Germany kept one or two of hers there all the
time hut the United States flag was never seen
eove on merchant vessels. The effect of that
state of affairs was inevitable in loss OF Ame1-
can influence and prestige which, apparently
was inst what Mr. Cleveland wanted. To-day
In whatever embarrassments we suffer III Sa-
moa. and whatever trouble we may be pun 10
! IN establishing our lawful rights and protect
inc the lawful interests Of Americans. this Na-
tion is paving the penalty Of that policy.
II is worthy of remembrance that Mr.. Sewall
was appointed to the Apa Consulate by Presi-
dent Cleveland himself. and that he revolteu
against that Presidents unAmerican policy
with respect to Samoa to such an extent tha'
no was recalled He probably. and Justly
considered the recall in the circumstances a
greater honor than the appointment hah Deeh'
Go too II is TO be remembered that Mr. Cham-
hors the American Chief Justice OF Samoa,
,rbo has heen 50 pluckily standing up for law
| and order and treaty rights in the face or the
ai1cuIties which the Cleveland policy has pre-
o,,itatad was Mr.. Cleveland's own choice for
that office The Nation must pay the penalty
y, had administration. But it is some satlsfac-
t,on. and bit OF poetic justice, TO have that
Administration rebuked by the very men 1t
| selected 10 execute its policy.