Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-15

del and Mozart in their churches;
their cricket teams beat every English
naval eleven that has played against
them. Flattered by their missionary
teachers into the belief that they would
be the intellectual superiors of the
white man if they had the white mans
opportunities, they can scarcely be
blamed for the exaggerated self-esteem
which prompted them. according to a
doubtful story, to declare their neu-
trality during the Franco Prussian
war.
The prestige Of the white man has
suffered cruelty at the hands Of the
Europeans intrusted with it. The mis-
sonarics fell out among themselves
and constituted the Tongans the Jury
to listen to their TecriminatiOns: Eu-
ropeans employed by the government
grossly betrayed their trust; others ex-
tortcd money from the native govern
ment by playing upon its dread Of for
cign intervention. and by threatening
IL with a visit Of a foreign man-of-
war, with the result that the Tongans.
who once trusted every European of
decent education and address. now sus
poets an evil motive in all advice that
is offered TO them.
In these circumstances the task of
persuading the King to sign a treaty
placing him under the protection of
Great Britain was an extremely deli
cate undertaking. Fortunately the spe-
cial commissioner was a persona graf
issima 10 the natives, and probably the
only European in whose genuine inter
aG IN fHafy Z
believe. II was Mr. Basil Thompson's
second mission 10 Tonga; ten years
ago he had extricated the country from
difficulties in which it had been plung-
ed by misgovernment This had en-
tailed living among the natives and
getting thoroughly familiar with their
language. customs and the working Of
their minds. Even with SO many points
in his favor Mr.. Thompson had no EASY
task; and had il not been for his tact
and untirirg patience, the negotiations
would certainly have ended in an OBJ
stinate refusal On the part of the King
to atIix his signature ID anything at
all
The King. who has the self-confi-
dence Of youth. showed from the first
that he intended to take the negOtia-
lions into his own hands. He prob
ably regards the independence of his
country from a purely personal stand
point. To him il means uniforms and
state ceremonies and guards Of honor
and salutes Of cannon and perhaps a
letter which the cx-Queen of Hawaii
wrote tn him from Washington con
graduating him upon being the last
lnIIHpn6|rr G1y-lr4irr~ frl hA
had something to 90 with his attitude
toward the very moderate proposals Of
the British government. Having mar
ried last year in defiance Of the wishes
of his chiefs. he has brought into ex-
istence party strongly opposed to
him; and he hoped no doubt to win
back some Of his lost popularity by
playing the role Of q patriot who has
successfully upheld their independence.
Acting under the advice ri the foreign
ers most strongly opposed To British
interests. he received the mission with
a great outward show Of cordi1lity ana
readily promised to sign the treaty if
he could succeed in persuading his
house of mobiles" To assent to it, But.
while outwardly pledging himself to
secure their consent. he was secretly
taking measures to ensure their refusal
In order THAI they. not he should bear
the obloquy with the British govern
mcnt.
Nr Thompson, who seems To have
kent himself Informed of every move
in the game. had On the one hand To
avoid giving the chiefs any appearance
Of encouragement To disafIection. ANA
on the other to assure himself Of their
support in the coming meeting. II he
had allowed the King To guess that he
knew of his double dealing there is
little doubt that the cession of a coal
ing station in Navau ana Of the juis-
diction over foreign residents w5uld
have been lost. When the time came
hc asked f7r a little more than IN re-
Quired, expecting 1T to ba refused. ana
got exactly what hc wanted
The treaty was Signed on May Is.
ana on the following day 4 procIama-
tiOn was read in the public square de-
claring Tonga to be under the protec-
ton of Great Britain. and the flag was
hoisted on her Majestys ship Porpoise.
and saluted with twelty-oDe guns The
effect OF the protectorate Will be to
prevent any other power from entering
llLt' ittd tiollS WIN 4 hllSd. 10 DIllG All
foreigners under the jurisdiction IF THE
British court, ana To give us coaIing
ana repairing stations i'll the two best
harbors in the group. If not in the Pa
citic The sovereignty Of the King will
not be disturbed, for nothing would be
gained by assuming the administration
Of the islands. Not an acre of land is
held by the Europeans. except upon
lease; there is no debt; the revenue is
about $25, 000 and beyond the tendency
to corruption. which is common to all
native governments. the administrat ton
is fairly effective But it was absolute |
ly necessary to protect the TOngans
against the attempt upon them that
would undoubtedly have been made be- |
fore long by one Of the great powers |
These results have been achieved with |
cut any sacrifice Of the cordial feeling |
which the Tongans have always felt |
toward England.-London Times