The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-20

: OF discomfort with the treaty. There wa'
also Indignation among the white resi-
dents OF Apia other than the German
community OF Matafele. Public meetings
were held. greatly to the disgust oil
German onlcialdom. which was impotent
10 auell the storm. The public had some ques.
lions to ask. 1t wanted to know by what right
President Senft Won Pilsach interpreted the
treaty as he was doing it wanted to know by
what authority the public funds were sent
thousands of miles away from Apia TO be de-
posted in bank in Sydney II wanted to be as
sured that the funds OF the Government were
not used in the purchase OF the Apia newpa-
per, which from a state of wholesome criticism
had gone over to the most abject adulation.
The best way out OF the mess was adopted
Germany withdrew Freiherr Senfrt Won Pill
sach.
E. Schmidt Dargitz seemed to promise well.
for q German. when he was appointed Presi-
dent. 1t was a hopeful novelty, this of appoint
ing an official who was experienced In Samoan
matters; for the new President had been Ger
man Vice-Consu at Apia. knew the people and
was an excellent Samoan scholar. The indiGnh-
ton died out. the public meetings ceased to be
held. citizens no longer went from public house
to public house along the beach with drafts ola
new constitution which was to bring peace to
Samoa. By common, yetunspoken,% consent both
1 HnmOanS aOu Wnlte peODle WhlCleu tnt tulu u
the event. all disposed to give their old acquaint-
ance a fair show. Yet Schmidt proved imprac-
| ticablc. German officials are nowhere famous
for suavity OF manner. and Schmidt had a few
| personal traits which put u most acute accent
on his official bearing. In his relations with
the Samoan Government he was so complete a
| failure that King Malietoa appealed to the
powers for the removal of the President. With
the white people he met with no better success.
| keup ping a tight grip on his German majority.
he forced obnoxious measures through the
! Municipal Council and shut of the debate ofthe
helpless non-German minority, denying them
| even the scanty privilege of going on record with
the reasons for their dissent. Thereupon the
| minority members Of the Council resigned.
The President refused to issue the call for
an election on the ground that members
onco elected must stay in office until the eX-
piration of their terms. When he was forced
out of this position lie did all in his
mower to hinder the election Of good mon.
Then he attempted to introduce German as the
official language. English having always been
used previously. This created more stir. which
made work for the Consuls. and went as far as
Washington, London and Berlin. With all
this he might have been yet in office but for
n peculiar blunder. The relations became
strained between himself and the German
Consul. What representations the two officials
made to the authorities in Berlin cannot be
known the result was that President schmidt
Dargitz resigned and left with much haste. and
the Consul was promoted to be a Consul-Gen-
eral.
In picking it's candidate for its third success
sivo nomination to the Samoan Presidency
Germany chose DR.. Joannes Rafel. the district
Judge at Dar-es-Salam. in the German East
African colony. The choice was significant:
n Indicated that Germauy had tested the in
difference Of the other powers and had VEN
tured to put Samoan affairs into the hands of
one OF its colonial officials. 1t is only politically
that DR.. l'afTcl is n dangerous factor. person.
ally he is all that could be desired. Education
has put a fine polish on innate refinement.
When he first arrived at Apia he was almost
independent: he was inclined to be soclable.
That was a novelty on the beach. Germans
are obliged TO observe toward German officials
the attitude OF recognition of official supe-
riority. Other people are not obliged to copy
the German attitude. but if they do not then
as a rule they do not find themselves admitted
to the company OF the officials. When DIR.
Raffcl first came he made acquaintance a1ably
with everybody and seemed to think that he
could discuss public affairs informally with the
citizen east of the slender Mulivai stream who
might be American or English. Just as he
could talk over the same topics west OF
that stream in Matafcle, which is German.
Actually he spoke disrespectfully in those
first days OF the Presidents dwelling. He
said it was too far from everybody. that it had
no shelter, that the trade wind blew a gale
through it all day long. that he would like to
live at the other end OF town in a house between
the British and American consulates. This
lasted for days while Apia wondered. Then the
President saw n great light and went prompts
off to live where his predecessors had lived.
In some way he acquired a fund OF
which made him different man. Above all. he
was made acquainted with the fact that in
Samoa the German attitude extends TO the
veriest details of life.
1t results from all this that Germany governs
Samoa through two officials, while its associate
powers have but one representative each. In
practice the system works smoothly. Suppose
the Germans on the beach see a chance for
some regulation which will restrict others
more than themselves. The Information is
soon carried to the President. with an intima-
ton as 10 what he is expected to do. The Ger
man majority in the Municipal Council can
pass any sort of regulation or ordinance which
comes along with the official recommendation,
Having passed the Council. the proposed ordi-
nance comes before a board of the three
Consuls for review. II approved. it becomes
law: il disapproved. 1t may be returned.
possibly amended and again sent up, or it
|
may be sent to the Chief Justice. A German
measure is by this system well fostered. The
German President sees it through the Munich
pal Council. the German Consul takes charge
Of it when it comes before the Consular Board.
The President is sure of his official defender
lust one step above him. The way is smoothed
for German measures. but 1t is an impossible !
uphill track for any legislation which does not
suit German policy.
On paper the American rights to equip the
American coaling station at Pago-Pago are
perfect. it Is a bay set aside for all time for the
American Navy and for none other. That is
what appears on paper. In the cold realities
of fact 1t Is in the power OF the German Presi-
dent of the Municipality OF Apia to exert his
power or influence so as to close thelbay Of
Pago-Pago so tightly that nothing but war
ships can claw it open,
Van 1ine-MacAdRm.