New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-20
THE LAW IN SAMOA.

The report of fighting between rival parties In
Samoa was serious, but q far more unpleasant
story follows close upon its heels. That Is that
the President Of the Municipal Council OF Apia,
who is a German, and the German Consul at
that port have tried to usurp the authority OF
the Supreme Court of the islands and to make
themselves practically dctators. This Is so
grave that II would not be credited unless I'M
mistakably confirmed If such action by Ger
man officials. happily resisted and frustrated,
should he approved and persisted In by the Ger
man Government the Samoan question would
assume the most menacng form in all Its some
what troubled history. 1t is indeed difficult to I'M
iderstand how the two German officers could
have taken such action without the orders OF the
German Government and ii is still more diff
cult to imagine that such violation of the treaty
and of the undoubted rights of this country
could for moment be tolerated,
That Germany covets Samoa Is no secret.
She has done so for many years. Scmf-ofhcial
German newspapers have within the last few
Iweeks openly declared II, and have declared
sGermany's intention of selling the Islands.
There was strong official movement to that
end dozen years ago. But ten years ago this
very month Prince Bismarck himself ordered its
abandonment German annexation OF the ISL
ands. he said was impossible, because OF the
opposition OF the United States. Nevertheless
German officers and troops committed many
acts OF aggression, not only against the Samoan
Government but against American citizens In
Samoa. Americans were thrown into prison and
their property was destroyed by German author
tiles. And such proceedings were continued I'M
III some American warshlps entered the harbor
of Apia. Then they were stopped. Following that
came negotiations. Germany withdrew her
preteusions to exclusive control and Prince Bis
marck himself again declared that Germany
would not call into question the independence
of Samoa or the equal rights there OF the treaty
Powers lie did more than that He admitted
that the conduct Of the German authorities had
been in violation Of international law.
That was early in 1889. In April and May OF
that year a conference Of the three Powers
Great Britain, Germany and the United States
was held. and a general act was agreed upon
and signed which to this day is the supreme
law OF Samoa. That act affirms the indepen-
dence OF Samoa and the equal rights OF the three
Powers. 1t provides for the creation Of Su-
preme Court, with a single Judge, appointed by
the three Powers or, In case of their disagree
ment. by the King Of Sweden and Norway.
That Judge OF that court, II declares, shall have
jurisdiction OF all questions arising under the
treaty and of all questions concerning the cleo
ton of a King 1t also provides for the APP
pointmept in similar fashion OF President OF
the Municipal Council OF Apia, who shall act
upon the instructions OF the three Powers but
not upon the separate orders OF any one OF
them And finally, this act is TO remain IN
force until changed by the consent OF the Pow
ers.
Now. that Is the law In Samoa. For that act
was duly ratified. and has not been changed nor
abrogated By the consent OF the Powers. There