The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-23
SAMOAN DECISION AGAINST Us.
RING ON az DIfIDES ~ FtIOR
or GERM t\I.
The United states aud England Must pa,
$500 ,tNNb Damages ~ Hrrcd d, For.
rign Residents 81 samoa when Troops
We're Landed 10 suppress InsurrcctiOn.

WAsHISG1oS, oct % While no official
informant ion has been received at The State
Department Of the action Il King Oscar
Of Sweden and Norway, the arbitrator
in the Samoan dispute, iniimation has
been given the Dcpartm "nt unotficialv
that h" has decided in favor OF Germany
and against the United States and Eng
land The questions ri issue are the la
bility of the three atoms for the damages
growing out of the samoan instruction
and the proprioty Of landing "A force of
blue Jackets from British and American
warships to support the Mali"toa govern
nen,. In the battle between the allied
landing force and the Mataafa rebels,
Lieut.. Lansdale and Ensign Monaghan, Of
the American Navy and Lieut. Freeman,
of the British Navy, were killed, and that
and subsequent engagements resulted in
claims for damages amounting TO s3Oo,oo
by foreign residents in the islands.
BY the decision Of the tripartite commis-
sion appointed by the three Powers con-
c"rned the j int control over the islands
was abolished and they were partitioned,
the Island of Tutula falling to the United
States. The question Of responsibility
for damages could not be adjusted by the
commission and was finally referred to
King Oscar for ettcmeut a. arbitrator.
great deal Of dissatisfaction il eN-
pressed in official circles over the decision
OF King Oscar, not on account of the money
loss to the United States but for the rpa-O on
that the royal arbitrator virtually, II not &C.
tually, laid down the rtll" that when a nation
was forced to land armed men and Ia bonn
bard semi savagc settlemCn,s in order 10 pre-
serve the lives and property Of its citizens.
IT was an improper assertion OF authority
and made the nation taking tho offensive
Liable to the payment Il damages. The
rule is particularly applicable ~ the recent
landing Of American blue Jackets and
marines in Colombia and liavti
A strict application Of il would he sufficient
To bar his Government from taking furcible
measures to preserve the interests of Ameri-
can citizens in South America. Central
America and the West Indies. Germany,
too. landed a force Of armed men in Haytl
only last week, and this, according To
opinion here. was contrary 10 the doctrine
laid down by King Oscar in deciding the
Samoan claims in Gerinanv's favor.
The United States Gov, rnmen', while dis
agreeing with the Justice Of King Oscars
award. will accept his decree and pay the
damages fixed But II does not intend TO
recognize in future the principle that a
n ton must raw damages for any injuries
inflicted on foreign Interests in protecting
the lives and property Of American citizens
or the honor Of the American Government
in countries where the authorities are I'M
able or unwilling 10 give that protection.
Furthermore, il is openly stated that this
II the last case in which the difference
OF the United States and any monarchy
will be- submitted 80 the sole arbitration
Of the head Of any other monarchy Temp
tation of a royal perSonag" to dccid" >nch
cases against n repuhli" j. very ohvjoU
70 Tho minds Of officials here should
any case arise similar To that iu-t decided
10y King Oscar, to which ia" United States
would b. a party, this Government will
insist that it shall he nrhitrated 10y IT."
permanent tribunal AZ The Hagu"