The times., 1899-04-13
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1899
Treachery i'm ssmon.

Whatever may have been the American
view of the situation before the movement
of the United States and British naval
forces TO stop the native insurrection in the
Samoan Islands. there can be but one opin-
ion now. We are willing to concede that the
former truculent and inexcussble rctions
OF Rose and Raffel might be open to ex-
PLANTATION on the theory that they were in
excess of their instructions. and that they
might be allowed to pass, supposing the
German Imperial Government TO be willing
TO make ''tabula rasa'' of the whole mat
ter. and 10 meet our and the English au-
thorities cn plane of friendly and equi-
table negotiation.
But the latest news from Samoa tends
to make the situation acute and to revive
matters that all friends of peace and an
icable relations would wish TO forget II
it be true that the German authorities in
Samoa have fomented the current out
break against the views and decisions of
the majority representation of the rosers
involved in the condominium, this coun-
to stand too closely upon the written let
ter OF the act of Berlin. Facts and per-
sisient conduct are stronger than diplo-
matte asseverations, and there is too much
reason for believing that the course Of the
German officials in Samoa may have been
not altogether without encouragement from
Germany IL not from the Imperial Govern
ment-
The report that American and British
forces were ambusheG on a German estate
In the possession and presence of promi-
nent German subject is painfully ominous
The slaughter of officers and their hideous
mutilaticn does not make the matter any
better and if the naval officers in charge
should give short shrift to the German
prisoner believed to be responsible for
The treachery. the position of the Govern
ments viii not be improved. while we are
unable TO see wherein the Kaiser could find
fault.
Triple protectorates we can hardly con-
slider feasible The dual one over Egypt was
failure "Condominium" participated in
by powers entirely friendly to each other
ought TO be possible. but it does not appear
to be so. In the present instance the
that throughout the Spanish War the visi
bic attitude of Germany was one of menace
until after the last hope of Spain had
vanished. Nevertheless, this country has
inclined to accept professions of friend
snip from Germany. and to do anything
reasonable to bring about fraternal reIa-
uons with the Empire OF the Kaiser. I'm
III now il has been hoped that nothing
IN the Samoan difficulty would eventuate
10 render rapprochement difficult II
Is plain. however, that the point OF amia-
bility and indifference TO fats accom-
pills has been passed Whatever NAV
nave been the conditions intrinsically con-
sidered. when Rear Admiral Kautz went
to Apis, there can be no question today
jhst his acts should be fully endorsed and
Iuslained
In the first place, every one of ,he per-
sons who have been instrumental in in
citing the native rebellion should be sum-
marily punished at the yardarm of one
of the vessels on the station. That tribute
10 justice having been rendered, it would
be well 10 begin consideration of the
proposed -'tabuIs raza." but not until then.
Afierward. when the moment arrives for
settlement, there should be but one basis
successfully maintain the Samoan ''menage
trois." the only thing 10 do is TO divide
the islands among the three powers in
way TO satisfy the claims of justice if not
OF all the parties concerned