Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-14
THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.

The situation In Samoa Is grave. IheTe
has been serious fighting between the al
lied sailors of the United States ana
Great Britain on the one side and the
followers Of Mataafa, who have the moral
support Of the Germans, on the other.
And perhaps the end Of bioodshed Is not
yet None the less we see no reason TO
apprehend that the trouble Will not re-
main localized. That IS to say, we see
no reason to apprehend that 1t Will de-
velop. as some excitable persons seem to
think into hostilities between this coun-
try and Germany.
In the first place, 1t is apparent from
the nature Of the complication that In
reckoning with us to the extent OF coming
TO blows Germany would have TO reckon
also with Great Britain. The United
States and Great Britain have gone 50
far in pooling interests on the Somoan
quarrel that they cannot break the pool.
and Germany could not afford to grapple
with the combination. Germany's great
military power would avail her nothing
in n trial of conclusions, and she would
be swept off the sea.
Moreover, there appears no doubt that
Germany is on the defensive, both as 10
the trouble that grew out OF the question OF
Samoan royal succession" and as to the
matter Of the issue her representative
made with Admiral Kautz. Chief Justice
Chambers seems to have acted clearly
within his jurisdiction I'm declaring the
succession, and the text of the Berlin
treaty left the Admiral no recourse but
to sustain him, especially since Great
Britain acquesced in the Chief Justices
decision.
The collision of the 1st Of April was I'M
fortunate, but it loses much Of its signih-
canoe by reason Of the facts that local
conditions had been long ripening for
1t. and that on a previous occasion Ger
man sailors had had, in Samoa, an eX-
perience similar to that OF the combined
forces of this country and Great Britain.
These considerations furnish an addi-
tional reason for believing that in the
end Germany will meet the other two
Powers half way in the matter Of ar
irving at an amicable settlement. In the
mean time, however, it would be wise
not to nurse impotence. 1t should be
that IT is Il far cry from
Samoa TO Berlin. and that Germany owes
it to herself to have all the facts before
her before deciding finally upon her
course. 1t should lso be remembered
that in misunderstanding between ma
tons whore the situation is two against
one, the Power that is single handed has
TO be doubly careful in guarding its pres
tige, and IS often constrained by popular
opinion to proceed very slowly and raise
bubbles even though it may have seen
the right and just policy from tho be-
ginning and fully determined to pursue |
that policy eventually.
OF course, the affair Of April the lst IS |
to be regretted. In our view the lives Of !
the Americans who fell in the fight are |
worth more than the civilization and /,
In respect of this matter we feel about |
Samoa just as we feel about the Philip |
pines. Yet the sacrifice will not fail OF |
bringing compensation, if it shall |
strengthen in this country the sentiment |
against imperialism, the first step to- |
wards which was taken. when. under a |
Republican administration-that Of Mr.. |
Berlin treaty was nego- |
Llated. American blood will not have |
been shed in vain in Samoa if its she'd !
ling shall cause the American people = |
place the blood-gultiness Of imperialism !
on the heads Of those who are response /
DE for Imperialism, so the end of sweep /
ne them and their party from power.