The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-31

prolonged and not allowed to reach it,
natural termination.
We do not think II will ever be possible
70 do away with this state Of things under
a tripnrtite administration and we think
| this opportunity OF recording our opinion
that only natural and normal plans oil
government for the Islands and tho sys.
tom which can assure permanent pros
pority ana tranquility Is a government by
one power. We regard II, however, az
beyond our province to make any but q
general statement on such q subject and
we have endeavored to amend existing ar
rhngements In such manner that they
may prove II not entirely satisfactory, n,
least workable.
we propose to introduce an element OF
unity and Capitalization into the govern
ment by the appointment OF an admin
lstrator which will doubtless be chosen
from some dlslntorested power. He will
pc assisted by counsel of delegates from
the three governments which might ex-
ert such consular functions as are neces-
sary In Samoa. We propose to give this
administrator large measure OF authority
which II exercised by Just and capable
man, should enable him to put an end TO
many disputes. We propose that the ad
minlstrator and the three delegates should
form legislative council and we have
introduced into tho act several clauses
giving them power to modify existing
ordinances.
We are OF the opinion that the original
act OF Berlin was drafted and has been
construed In too rigid a manner and that
greater elasticity In Its provisions would
have beneficial effect, We have there
FORE empowered this council to make such
alterations as II may think At In the
boundaries OF districts. the details OF
native government and other matters
enumerated In the proposed act
Thirdly. lODp tn CrQatp N prpatar
harmony among the white residents by
nbolishing consular Jurisdiction. We be-
lieve that in other parts of the world such
jurisdiction prevails only where the laws
Of country are, for religious or other
reasons. not suitable for application to
foreigners. But tho chief Justice of Samoa
Is an American or European and admin
listers American or European law. II
would appear therefore that there Is no
reason why he should not take cognlzanec
of all suits brought against foreigners
nor which foreigners should enjoy priv
ilege Of cxtra-t errtorlality except that of
not being amenable to the Jurisdiction of
native courts which deal only with such
matters rs are decided according TO native
customs. Hitherto consular jurisdiction
has been powerful means Of embitterlng
international strife In AHA.
Each nationality has Its own law and
the consul who administered that law
was popularity regarded not as an inn
partial Judge, but as Il protector OF HIS
own nationality.
We believe that by abolishlng this out
ward sign OF separate national institu-
lions and by submitting all natlonallties
to one court and one law n great advance
VIII be made Ia the direction Of removing
petty 1ealousies and rlvalrles and re-
storing good relations between the various
white colonies.
The third class OF evils arises from the
lawlossness now prevailing In Samoa out
side tho municipality. For many years
there has been no law In these districts
and native institutions permitted natives
TO commit crimes with impunity, Murder.
theft and other offenses were loft unpun-
shed and trade suffered owing to difficulty
of aifordlng planters adequate legal pro-
lection In their dealings with the nborigi-
nes. We hope to improve this state of
things by giving the chief justice an en-
larged Jurisdiction over all these Islands
80 as tn include all cases between natives
and foreigners us we'll as the lower grades
OF crimes committed by natives against
each other. 10 Tighten the work of the
supreme court We have made the munich |
pal magistrate court OF frst instance
within tho limits OF the municipality.
Fourthly we have felt 1t our duty to
deal somewhat severely with the impor-
tntion of arms and ammunition into
treaty has become dead letter. The man
agement of the customs hns been exceed
ingly lax being largely In the hands nf the
merchants who naturally And II conyen-
lent TO have ensy regulations. Private
commercial houses have been allowed to
discharge goods direct into their own re-
ceIvng sheds without any examination
and though wa make no specific accusation,
II is clear that they can have no diff |
hcuity in securing large quantity of arms
and that arms were so Introduced.
Wo therefore feel II essential that the
customs regulations should be stringently
enforced under the supervision of the new
and that adequate customs
with an adequate shed
shall be provided with as little delay as
possible
Bartlett Trip,
High Commissioner OF the United states.
C. \. Elliott.
Her Britannia Majesty's High Commits.
sioner.
H. sternherg.
High Commissioner OF Germany
San Francisco July So.-The draft OF tho
new Samoan treaty as amended by tho
Samoan commissioners and published by
the Call Ia q document of 5000 words. The
Important features OF this treaty are emu
and discussed In tho committees
report, tho treaty containing the details
OF the modified form OF government Of
Samoa outlined In the report. The treaty
begins with declaration of neutrality Of
The islands OF Samoa and an assurance to
the respective citizens and subjects OF the
signatory powers equality OF rights,
1t provides for the immediate restoration
to peace and good order and TO this end
abolishes tho office of king
and limits the authority OF chiefs but ere
ltes system OF native government. Pro-
Visions are made for the appointment OF
IN administrator OF Samoa, to be appoint
"a by the three signatory powers. or, fail
ng their agreement by the king OF Nor
way and Sweden. The administrators
'alary will he $4,000 per anaum and he is
o execute all laws In force in tho Samoan
Stands, He shall possess the pardoning
lower and mako municipal appointments
With tho consent OF tho executive couacil,
he legislative power being vested In the
and the executive council
Il three men being appointed by each OF
ho three powers.
There In also to DO a native assembly
composed OF tho governors OF different
llstrlcts OF tho island. Chief Justice of
he supreme court Is 70 be appointed AZ
al .