The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-21
AZ INNOvATION.

Tn picking ns candidate for its third
successive nomination 20 inc samoan
presidency. Germany chose DR. JOannes
Ranel. the district judge az Dar-es-salaih'
I'm the German East African colony. Inc
choice was significant. II indicated that
Germany had tested the Indifference or
Ne other powers and had ventured 70
,u. Samoan affairs into the hands OF one
If FITS colonial officials. IL is only po-
fHcaUv that Dr. Ramel is n dangerous
factor. personally he is all that could
be- desired. Education has put a me
polish on innate refinement When ne
first arrived az Apia he was almost IN
dopendent: he was inclined to be socla-
bile. That was n novelty on the beach.
Germans are obliged 10 observe toward
German official the attitude Of recognl-
ton Of official superiority. Other people
are not obliged 10 copy the German at
utude. out If they do not then as "a rule
thov do not find themselves admitted TO
.ho c1mnany of the officials. When DIR.
Raffel first came he made acquaintance
affablv with everybody and seemed 10
think that he could discuss public affairs
Informally with the citizen east OF me
slender Mulivai stream who might DE
American or English. just as he could
talk over the same topics west OF that
stream In Matafele. which IS German
Actually he spoke disrespectfully IN those
first davs OF the Presidents dwelling. lie
said II was too far from everybody that
IL had no shelter that the trade vino
bieU q gale through IL all day long, that
ia would like 10 live al the other end OF
,ov,, an a house between the British and
American consuiates. This lasted Tor
do,s while Apia wondered Then the
President saw a greas light and went
,ronnflv off 10 live where his preoeces-
sors had lived I'm some way ne acquired
, fund OF information which made him
a different man. Above all. he was MADE
acouainted with the fact that In Samoa
the German attitude extends 20 the veriest
details OF ufe.
II results from all this that Germany
governs Samoa through two officials.
While IT'S associate powers have but one
representative each. In practice the
system works smoothly Suppose the
Germans on the beach see chance for
coma regulation which will restrict others
moro than themselves. The information
h soon carried TO the President. with an
intimation as % what he Is expected TO
do The German majority IN the NUM-
clpal Council can pass any sort or resu-
iation or ordinance which comes Along
with tho official recommendation. Having
nassed the Council the proposed ordi-
nance comes before q board Of the three
consuls FOR review. II approved, II be-
comes law: II disapproyoc, Il may be re-
turned, possibly amended ard again sent
I'D. or IL may be sent 70 the Chief Jus
tice. 4 German measure Is by this sys-
tenn well fostered. The German President
sees IL through the Municipal Council
the German Consul takes charge OF II
when II comes before the Consular
Board The President IS sure OF his OF
fetal defender just one step above MIN.
The way is smoothed for German meas
ures but IL IS an impossible uphill track
for any legislation which does not SUIT
German policy
on paper the American rights 10 equip
the American coaling station az Paso-
Page are perfect II is bay set aside FOR
am time for the American navy and for
none other. That is what appears on
paper. In the cold realities OF fact II Is
in the power Of the German President OF
the Municipality OF Apia TO exert MS
power or influence so "a 10 close the bay
Of Page Page so tightly that nothing but
yvarships can claw IL open