The times., 1899-06-15
THE SITUATION IN SAMOA.
Pessimistic View of the Future by
an American Resident.


Fessimistic View of the Future by
an American Resident.
It is naturally difficult at this distance
to rightly Judge OF the merits of the late
inter-cons'aH war in Samoa, or of the
true inwarfness of native politics in the
archipelegoss Especially in connection with
their relations to international questions
and interests. I'VE have had so many con-
tiicting stories from the islands that the
public mind is pretty we'll confused as 10
the whole subject. In a general way most
Americans have been inclined to give il
up and prepare to be content with sucn
solution of all the complicated troubles
as the joint commission OF the three pow
ers interested in the condominium might
arrive at. OF course the Samoan question
AT large has more than one side to ii.
Whether this country is or has bsen on
the right side, or whether it is destined
to come out on that which is left, are
matters which the future must decide. In
the mean time it is perhaps desirable to
get whatever side lights may be available
upon the conditions as they exist or have
existed since friction among the represen-
tatives and residents of the nations in
vClved first made its uncomfortable ap
pearance. From this point of view, a lst-
ter, from an American resident in Apia TO
friend in New York. printed in the New
York Herald" will prove interesting. The
writer says:
The press of the United States appears
to have taken a correct view of the SanI-
oan question, but it is evident to Amer-
cans here that the Washington authori
ties do not look at it in the same light.
American residents of Samoa-men who
have money invested here-and others are
very much disheartened over this whole
business.
Just at the moment when the rebellious
Samoans were about TO receive a lesson
which they would never have forgotten,
and which would have been of lasting
benefit TO Americans and American inter-
ests both private and governmental, the
hands of the military forces We're stopped
by the Governments at Washington and
London through the power of Germany.
Truly, We Americans are smart
people. but the Germans can fool US every
time when it comes to diplomacy or 10
pulling the wool over the eyes of an op-
ponent in order 10 gain political advan-
tage.
The Commissioners representing the
United States, England. and Germany are
here and have begun work but so far it
has been of a preliminary nature only.
Still. certain questions have been asked
by them which leads us to fear that the
Berlin treaty is simply to be patched up.
instead of some new method fer the gov
ernment of the country being devised, and
we are to be again left at the mercy of
the natives, who are now 100 per cent more
aggressive and hostile than thsy were
three months ago.
They now believe that the United States
and England tried Jointly to whip them
and were unable to do sc, and in proof
of their belief they point to the fact that
they have killed two American naval Off
GERS and che English officer, besides a
number of other sailors from the ships of
those. countries, and are practically the
victcrs Of that battle.
white men in Samoa, with the excep-
tion of Germans. will have to put up with
all sorts Of Insults and indgnities at their
hands, and Will be treated as very inferior
beings heTeafter or. The Americans in Sa-
INCA thought. as did many of our country
men at hcne. that the Samoan question
would be definitely settled after the Sa-
means had fred on our flag. especially
after the rebels had cut off the heads of
two of cur. naval officers, but | think it
Is quite clear that we are to be fooled
again.
i predicted to you several months ago
that 1t w0uldi not be long before an out
break. and a serious cne. took place Ny
prediction, was verified. | say to you now,
Notwithstanding the reassuring statements
which may be made for diplomatic or 9TH
er reasons, in the United States, that it
will not be very long before there Is an
other outbreak here en- the part OF the
rebels, and then heaven help the Ameri-
cans and English who are unfortunate
enough to be In the country for the rebels
viii avenge themselves,
1t is apparently certain that these two
Governments will not protect their sub
jects here Otherwise the present policy
OF failing to punish the rebels for the muir
der OF the naval officers and men. and
the cessation Cf hostilities against the rab
els would not have been adopted.
IF the United States and England par
nit Germany to again 'bulIdoze' them
about the Samoan question-and il looks
very much as though Germany is doing
that very thing-then the two powers
should hide their heads in shame and beg
Germany's S permission to remain in Sa-
moa.
Between you and me. Admiral Kautz is
very sick Of being made such a fool of
by his Government. but of course. it will
be readily understood that he cannot give
public expression to his feelings To all
enquiries on the subject, except from his
Government he will. as matter of self
interest only make non-committal replies
1t was not until recently however, that
he and the officers OF the Phlaielnhia
have discovered that Germany and not the
American Government is the actual power
which controls the action and movements
Of the United States Navy in Samoan
waters, even if that Government was un-
able to do so In the Philippines, but then
Dewey was not hampered as Kautz has
been. and there was no tripartite commits
sion to take matters out of his hands
ana reiegate him to secondary posi-
ton