New-York tribune., 1899-03-24
SOUTH SEA SHOALS.
THE FAILURE OF THE TRIPART1TE
AGREEMENT.
NECESSITY FOR STRENGTHENING THE NAVY AND
OCCUPYING PERMANENTLY THE COAL
ING STATION AT PAGo-PAGO.

NECESSITY FOR STRENGTHENING THE NAVY AND
OCCUPYING PERMANENTLY THE COAL
ING STATION AT PAGo-PAGo.
Washington, March q (SpeciaD.-History often
repeats Itself. not as echo does. note for note
and tone for tone but rather like a musician, who
reproduces theme under numerous forms with
different variations. that an unaccustomed ear
does not always follow tho original motive as IL
winds its way through n more or less confusing
labyrinth Of sound Experts in music and In state
craft ought. however. to recognize the underlying
principle OF each development and be able to
determine its value groundwork for future COM
binations The rule OF three may successfully solve
problems in proportion. but the rule by three has
never yet cleared UP the difficulties OF any compli-
Gated situation. Government by triumvirates means
the forcible diplomatic elimination OF two ele-
ments out of three, else discouragng series OF
new deals'-supremacy scrimmage.
Tho first Roman trumvirate led to the triumph OK
julius Cesar The second secured the sovereignty
for Octavius. Tho triumvirae Of the 18th Brumaire
simply transformed First Consul Bonaparte into
the Emperor Napoleon. The most brilliant coali-
tions formed by men Of the same race. language
and traditions have always proved weak and short
lived. How much more unstable. then a govern
ment obtained by tho mere juxtapositon OF indi-
viduals who diverse in origin are set to Work TO-
gether in body appointed to follow each other
in turn. Yet this last was the system chosen oy
the Berlin Congress Of 1889 to direct the destinies
of Samoa Bismarck must have smiled grimly IN
his sleeve he helped mix the incongruous COM
pound that civilization offered as a soothing pana-
cea to the disturbed interior economy OF the South
Sea Islanders. But perhaps he saw that only IN
this wise. without antagonzing two powerful ma
tons could Germany's greater commercial inter-
ests insert the wedge that In course or time might
open, for her benefit alone the desirable Samoan
oyster. When necessary n consul could easily be
recalled-the dolngs of a Ranel disavowed-while
Nf MI
or British preoccupation elsewhere. might come the
chance of drawing quietly within her reach the Key
of the Samoan situation The Triple Alliance may
help preserve the balance OF Europe but tripar-
tito protectorate seems to bo trife topheavy for
the equilibrium Of Samoa.
IMPORTANCE OF COALING STATIONS.
Once more this trple-expanslon engine Is IN need
OF repair and the question arises: Can 1t be run
at all without producing continual friction and
periodic explosion? Is the game worth the candle
for the United States commercially or otherwise?
Germany has by far the greatest business interests
there, practically monopoly, and her citizens FORM
more than half Of the entire white population.
Commercially then tho United States is not in
the ring" But its interests in Samoa are not
merely business ones; they are naval as well. and
naval interests in the near future VIII be but an
other name for National interests. Naval authori-
ties and people who have studied the subject think
the foothold OF this country there one not TO be
United States has bought Pago-Pago and paid for
It. II is a safe and beautiful harbor and would
be most useful coaling station and to-day coal
ing stations are things nation that pretends TO
a navy at all afford to lose or TO neglect
English ships that can coal every three thousand
miles, nearly all around the globe, know fuii well
tho value of such acquisitions to the squadron OF
modern times. moro helpless more useless In all
its enormous strength when beyond reach OF fuel
and friendly dockyards than was even the tiny
neet OF Christopher Columbus venturng out on
unknown and stormy seas
Public sentiment seems to demand that the United
States morally and physically back up" its title
TO this valuable possession. Now sentiment IN pri-
vate life may sometimes be cheap luxury, but
public sentiment. whether right or wrong, Is In
variably a costly indulgence. 1t MUST be paid for
by the people who. II they insist on acting upon
It, should be willing to have sufficient public
nue. appropriated through the proper channels. to
secure successfully the ends in view. We have
at present a finger in several different pes The
Hawaiian tart has fallen into our lap: have
acquired Porto Rico; have laid possessive
touch on the Philippines and protective
Cuba: We claim a slice OF the Samoan tartet. and
II we wish all these fingers TO remain unmolested
we must guard them in such manner that no steel
gauntlet or another hand will have the power to
crush them; for other things being equal one must
not forget that $500 ton armor pitted against
that costing $500 ton Will, generally speaking,
come second best in collision OF forces.
ONE LESSON TAUGHT BY SAMOA.
Samoa has already taught valuable les
son. In the disastrous hurricane of 1889 we had a
striking example Of the survival Of the fttest. In
that fight for life pluck and the strongest engines
won the day for the English ship Caope. The
commander Of the Adler, who managed to save his
crew when he saw his ship doomed, had pluck
enough; the of the Trenton, who so Justify
cheered the Calliope she scraped by out Of the
deathtrap they themselves drifting into. had
plenty of pluck; but pluck did not prevent German
and American ships alike from being finally re-
duced to junk on the coral reef of Apia Bay.
THAT disaster" wrote Stevenson, indirectly and
by a process still continuing FOUNDED the modern
Navy OF the States"
1t is expensive as well as perilous process
TO learn wisdom only through disaster. This time
the country ought 20 profit by the success that
even q partial preparation made possible. and
whatever else II may or may not do. let 1t insist
that the Navy get all the men and material 1t re-
quires. that officers have good ships to command.
engineers fine engines 10 manage gunners the best
guns 10 handle, remembering that in an emergency
$4,000 900 worth OF will not accomplish as much
as $4,000 worth Of prevention VIII DO today
that made IT possible TO raise and equip armies IN
branch by Stroke OF the pen. realizes limitations
in the nautical sphere and is reluctantly compelled
time to make a sailor" Lately we appear to have
recognized the fact that weak governments IKE
forced and the Philadelphia has been sent TO back
ship Porpoise OF the responsibility of sheltering
them whenever political relations become triie
strained and generally to help pour oil on the
troubled waters OF Samoan affairs. The Admirars
instructions are doubtless peace-and Pago-Pago'
Pago-Pago being a positive possession and peace a
possible condition Nevertheless, when one 11 smaii
island holds at the same time two native factions
and three foreign Powers. even to an optimistic
mind the prospects for smooth continuance OF a
triangular protectorate seem well summed up IN
the celebrated story OF the three wise men OK
Gotham who went TO sea In a bowl:
'If the bowl had been stronger .
NV story would have been longer.
COL. HUMPHREY TO RETAIN HIS RANh
NTS