St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-11-22
THE SAnOAN SETTLEMENT.
A Clear Statement of Facts by Xix. Chief
Justice Hde.

VI rHcb Dy Ex-ChIeI
Justice Hde.
When the announcement of a settle
ment OF the Samoan difficulty by the gov
ernments OF Germany, Great Britain and
the United States was first published tn,
Burlington Free Press sent request tc
Hon. Henry c. Ide, of St. Johnsbury
formerly chief justice of Samoa, for any
suggestions he might make with refer
ence to the adjustment. In its issue Of
Nov. II the Free Press says: "We are
pleased to present to our readers this
morning summary of his views on the
situation, which will have wide interest
as having been made by one fully qualified
to speak on the subject. Judge Ide writes
as follows:
so tar as our own government is con.
cerned, doubtless the controlling motive
IN agreeing to division ofSamoa where
by Tutulla and its adjacent smaller is.
lands accrue to the United States, and
the remainder become German territory.
IS that the tripartate arrangement was
difficult OF administration, and exposed
to this hazard of recurring frctions. A
system wherein an autonomous native
government was recognized, but in which
also three great powers were constituent
parts, contained so many clements OF DOS
sible conflict OF authorities and so many
wheels within wheel" that nothing
except the highest degree Of tact and dis.
erection on the part OF all officials, cond
prevent discord and consequent danger
OF international com plications. That de.
gree OF tact and discretion is not ALWAYS
available
AS to Germany, Samoa has long been
point OF extreme interest in her colonial
policy. Germans have done far more
than citizens or subjects of all other
countries to improve and develop the
natural resources OF the islands. They
control the large commercial establish
ments, and have, at great expenditure,
brought magnificent plantations into a
high state OF cultivation. 1t will be a
matter OF great pride to them that con-
summation long sought has finally been
realized, and that the best and most val
liable portions OF those beautiful islands
have become theirs.
las to England. her Australasian col
onies will be bitterly disappointed to
have German colony planted and nour::
ished at their front doors. But there is
compensation in the annexation OF the
Tongan group. lying about three hun
dred miles to the south of Samoa, as
well as the more remote Solomon and
Gilbert islands and in the adjustment of
hitherto unsettled questions of bound
aries in Africa. (The Samoan adjust
ment settles several intricate questions
between England and Germany
"As to the natives, it does not vet
appear that they have been consulted in
the matter, or that they will be. Most
of them will be under German control
1t would not be fair to anticipate that
they will be missed. 1t is far more prob
able that German authorities will be
wise enough to recognize native customs
and to hope to st cure native cooperation
in a peaceful development OF the country
1t would not be at all improbable that
they would encourage the natives to
govern their own affairs largely-their
own way, with Mataaffa at their head
Probably this would be expedient and
helpful to successful administration.
All native races are better ruled through
their own high chiefs, whom they respect
and who know how the native mind
acts
"Our possession, Tutuila, is by far the
poorest island of the larger ones OF the
group. It's inhabitants are not numer-
Gus, five or six thousand in all, and are
less civilized than those of the other
islands. Few white people reside on
Tutuila, one English missionary, a few
Mormon missionaries, and half a dozen
traders are all. No mail steamers call
there, or are likely to call. The to be-
built Pacific cable is not likely to reach
Tutuila. The harbor OF Pago Page, on
the south side of the island is the best in
Samoa and is safe from hurricanes and
tidal waves. fleet can there safely ride
at anchor while the storms play havoc
outside. The harbor winds in among
lofty mountains OF volcanic origin, which
effectively intercept the wholesome
trade winds. The mountains condense
the moisture from the always laden
clouds, making violent showers, fire.
quently followed by streaming sunshine
unrelieved by breezes. 1t is most dis
agreeable place oiresidence. The govern
or or administrator whom we send
there may reside in some more attrac.
tive portion OF the island, but at the best,
he must live lonely and isolated life,
vastly different from that at Apia, where
the great trade winds constantly temper
the heat, where warships with gentle
manly and socially inclined officers
resort, where the trans Pacific steamers
all come where the official circle exists,
and where numerous intelligent tourists
from the world over delight to enjoy
the picturesque native life and the charms
of tropical scenery.
"Some of our people have regretted
that England, instead Of Germany, was
to assume control. They have thought.
in view OF what took place between
Admiral Dewey and the German admiral
at Manila as well as of other Incidents,
that the English would be better neigh
bors in those remote regions. But it is
probable that we shall find the Germans
not so very difficult to get along with,
now that their ardent wishes Tor con-
troll of Samoa have been gratfed.
Personally, / will not ask any more
courteous treatment than was accorded
me by my German and English official
associates during the years of my res
idence among them"
HENRY {. IDE.