PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 58

PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

SAMOA. Of the numerous disquieting schemings, threatening more or less the peace of the .world, the internecine war in Samoa most directly concerns us here at present. To 'understand the position aright, I think we must take a far wider outlook than the question of whether Malietoa or Mataafa is to be King. I have already written about the policy of grab which has been entered upon, and which we cannot see the ultimate effect of, so need not refer to it again; nor need I again write at large ■Jipon the sudden development of the colonial expansion of the United States. But take a map of the Pacific and study it for a minute or two. Our American cousins have annexed the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines, and have apparently made up their * minds to construct the ificaraguan Canal. Then look at China. In the immediate future it is going to be opened up to the world, whether it be actually dismembered or be allowed to retain its nominal government under the joint control of the European nations. In any case its teeming millions, with developed wants, {will create a large demand for the products of the Western nations, if they do not indeed become the world's manufacturing centre. These rapid developments are going to make the North Pacific a rival to the .iNorth Atlantic in maritime importance, and no other nations have so many interests, •present and potential, at stake on the Paci.fic as Great Britain and the United States. Russia's maritime trade will be small for a long time to come, and her Siberian railrways cannot compete seriously with a mercantile marine. Japan will have to be reckoned with ; but she again, though ad.vancing rapidly, is not, according to some close observers, an established nation, and as now coming to a crisis which wjll cause jher statesmen uneasiness and give older nations many an anxious- thought. France, iwith a population that is decreasing when compared with that of other nations, cannot f>e a permanent menace. This leaves Germany as the only serious competitor, and partly explains the present position. In the ■Hawaiian Islands, the Philippines, and in 'Pago Pago, in the Samoan Group, the 'Americans hold with the canal four splendid strategic positions, and are even better off for coaling stations than the British, and these stations as centres will bring all parts of the Pacific within effective range of action of warships, for no cruiser need fee far from a base. But the Germans have taio base in the Eastern or Central Pacific, so they are doing all they can to get a firm footing in Samoa, to overcome, as far 6s possible, the disadvantages they will Jabour under, as compared with their older rivals. What little sympathy, however, we jnay have with them " is more than counterbalanced by the resentment we feel at their unscrupulous methods; and it is to be very much regretted that they did not respect the decision of the British and American Authorities, until at any rate there had been ' time for the three nations concerned to fcring about a peaceful settlement of dis- ! puted points.

The civil war has brought about two unusual events. French residents have taken refuge upon a German warship. What will happen next? Surely never devil hated holy water more than the French the Germans, and yet they are almost becoming bedmates ! Chums with Germans, and adoring the Czar of all the Russias! They are funny folk. ,, But , fcne other event. Who would have thought two years ago that British and American naval officers and blue jackets *vould fight side by side, be buried in the came grave, and wrapped in the flags of Jhe two nations? How impressive the serrice must have been, winding up, as it did, »o doubt, with the military volleys and the fcugler sounding "Lights out," as fitting a close to Life's work as the day's work. So Sar as I can judge, the Germans have a great deal to answer for ; but if they have helped to bring about a closer union between what should never have been separated, they have accomplished an unforeseen good.

THE SOUTHERN CROSS,

Last week s Witness— or was it the week fcefore?— told you that the Southern Cross had come to Port Chalmers from the inhospitable south. Reporters could get no information, for the very good reason, 1 Suppose, that every word is to go Home to [Newnes and Co., to be turned into payable copy. But one or two things have leaked out here and there. The men, I hear, were closely watched at the Port, Slot . only that they might not give any information, but because it was feared they .Tvculd desert. Their experiences had been bo unpleasant that they didn't care to face the southern seas again. The captain could talk English only very imperfectly, yet sufficiently well to jpend a couple of hundreds of pounds or so in addition to docking and repairing charges. Then, too, a ship fcvas waiting at the Bluff with provisions, fend as she was delayed, demurrage to the tune of about two hundreds of pounds more than the charter had to be paid. The purchases in Dunedin included general ship's goods, scientific instruments, three or four cameras, cans, etc., for preserving specimens, chemicals, and so on ; so, apart from *ny utility they may possess, we ought to Welcome these Antarctic (mind you pronounce that first "c") expeditions. I intended having a look at the Southern Cross, but didn't manage to get down.

IN HIS STEPS.

I have jusfc been reading a couple of jbooks which have had a most extraordinary run. They are, "In His Steps, or What Would Jesus Do?" and "His Brother's JKeeper." They have sold in hundreds of Ihousaada ja America and at Home. They

are by Charles M. Sheldon, a minister in Central Church, Topeka, Kansas, and were written chapter by chapter, and read on Sundays, as written. Then they were published as serials, and became so popular that they are now issued in book form. They are religious, but not diy or stodgy. The former is a plain, commonsense application of the principles of Christianity, and the latter the same, but at the same time it gives a graphic description, true in most details, of a strike of coal miners in the States. Both tilt at the conventionalities of high life, and, I think, with good reason. As they deal with social problems — not sex problems — and as they are so extremely interesting, I have no hesitation in recommending all who ai all realise the responsibilities of* life to buy them, read them, and make some effort to carry out what the books suggest. They are only sixpence each, postage about threepence, I suppose. Fourpenny illustrated editions of them are being published at Home, but I do not suppose they will make tbeir appearance here.