GERMANY AND SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9323, 28 March 1889, Page 5

GERMANY AND SAMOA.

I [from our own correspondent.] London, February 8. The readiness with which Prince Bismarck has given way in face of the protests of America regarding Samoa has been matter of much surprise; bub he seems to have been sincere in the declarations he made before the Reichstag a fortnight ago, that he was not a "colonial man," and did not approve of Germany frittering away her strength in colonial enterprises. We can well understand that with General " Boulanger becoming supreme in France, and other threatening elements in the European situation, Prince Bismarck would not care to be involved in a quarrel with the United States. In fact, as he showed in the case of Spain and the Caroline Islands, he does not want to quarrel with anybody until matters have been settled with France and Russia. Up to a few days ago it was believed by many persons who make foreign politics a study that the Americans were indulging in mere empty boasting, and that as their interests in Samoa were really insignificant, they would nob go to any great lengths in the defence of the same.' But events have shown that the United States were justified in the belief that Prince Bismarck would retreat if boldly withstood, and it is hoped that the example of the Washington Cabinet will not be lost upon our own Government. The German Chancellor has now not only ordered the withdrawal of the edict subjecting all foreigners in Apia to martial law, and cashiered Dr. Knappe, the German Consul at that place, for being too zealous, bub has Broposed that the suspended Washington onference on Samoa should be resumed at Berlin. At the same time ib must nob be too hastily inferred from Prince Bismarck's complaisance that Germany means to relax her hold upon Samoa. The United States have stepped forward as the champions of the status quo in that group, bub their interests therein are so small that it is not impossible that they may be induced to come to some compromise with Germany. The concern of America in the islands lies in the circumstance that they are on the highway of commerce across the Paoific; ans that, if the Panama Canal is ever completed, they wil become important places of "call. With these contingencies in view, the Americans secured the right of erecting a coaling station at Pango-pango. This harbour is on the Island of Tuituila, which is one of tho longest of the group, and is some forty or fifty milea distant from the two large islands of Savaii and Upolo. There is, therefore, an excuse for assuming that if Germany offered to consent to America taking possession of Tutuila, America would not object to Germany becoming supreme jn Savaii and Upolu.