New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-09
THE PARTITION or SAMOA.

The cordial approachment between Great
Britain and Germany upon which much >iiuih'-
nation has been shed by The Tribunes Lonuon
correspondent in his recent cable dispatcheS'
has apparently reached the point or an agree
ment-conditoned upon American approvai-ror
the partition Of Samoa. Such an agreement was
officially announced yesterday In Berlin, ana
Washington dispatches appear to confirm me
intelligence from official sources. Its salient
terms are the abrogation Of the Samoa act
of Berlin and the division OF the much vexed
group Of islands between Germany ana inc
United States. Great Britain receiving compen'
saton from Germany elsewhere for her surren-
der Of her interest in Samoa. This arrange
ment IL on the face OF II logical md commenda-
bic from the German and British point OF view.
II is conceded by them that the eastern island OF
Tutua with it's tributary islets. must go-if TO
any one-to the United States. since 1t contains
Page Pago which has long been indisputably
our property There remain the other two chle1
islands and their islets. Lying within cannon
shot of each other, Tpolu and Sayaii are roo
close together to belong to different Powers
without danger Of endless friction. Moreover
Upolu. the central island Of the whole group, Is
valuable. while Savaii. the westernmOst. though
far larger is almost worthless. so that even had
they been divided between the two Powers one
of the Powers would have been entitled to some
conformation 1t seems therefore, better 70
give them both TO one Power and 10 give the
other Power full compensation elsewhere.
The compensation accorded TO Great Britain
for her remuneration Of Samoa is appropriate
and logical II includes waiver Of all German
claims upon the Tonga and Savage Islands,
o;~1,1 70 (troQ
croup. and the cession Of two large Islands IN
the Solomon group closely adjacent to the BTU
ish islands there. and indeed. making the whole
group British with the exception OF the one ISL
and of Bougainville Either one Of the islands
thus coded is larger than the whole samoan
groupJ There are further compensations in the
form Of adjustments Of boundaries IN west
Africa and remuneration of German extra-terri-
torial rights in Zanzibar. eDn the whole, the par
gain between the two Powers may well be re-
garded rs advantageous to both. 1t proDaDiy IL
90 in the intrinsic value Of the properties in.
voved; it certainly is in its final settlement OF
matters Of wearisome dispute.
The whole agreement is, however, confessedly
conditioned upon the consent Of the Unted
States That was. OF course necessary, seeing
that the United States was an equakparty TO the
Samoa net. 1t Is nevertneleSS Rratliylnk W Scc
the fact so unhesltatingy and ungrudgingF
recognized That is another proof OF what our
London correspondent has been assuring u.s.
that the Impeachment between Great britain
and Germany means no hostility 10 the United
States. but rather more friendly relations among
all three 1t IS said TO be expected mt Berlin
that the United States will assent to the ar
rangement That, Of course, is for the constl-
tutional authorities to decide when the plan
Of partition is fully and officially submitted 10 IT,
Whether American rights and interests in Sa-
moa will be adequately maintained by the pos
session of the smallest OF the three chief Islands,
and what guarantees and compensations may be
due TO this country, on account OF Its undouDted
share of right aud interest In the other islands,
are questions for serious considerations Hap
PLY there Is ample assurance that they Will be
considered from n true American point of view
and there Is, we may add, confidence that they
will be answered, when they are finally an
swered. In a manner COMFORTING with the dig
nItv and welfare OF this Nation and conducive
70 friendly relations with all other Powers.