THE Thames Advertiser. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1889.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 6344, 18 June 1889, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1889.

The Samoau Conference has terminated ■ its sittings and the outline of the decision arrived at and ratified by treaty appears in another column. A check has been i effectually put upon German aggression, and the fact that the United States k '. party to the treaty is a guaranteo that the terms will bo strictly adhered to. The great Kepublic is independent of every power, and can, and no doubt will look calmly on at any struggle that may arise in the near or distant future between the nations of the old world. On the ■ other hand there is no nation that dares to go to war with her. On these grounds the Samoan people have thoir autonomy secured to thorn, but secured to them under such conditions that the appropriation of the country by either England or America would in all human probability have scoured to her a long term of content and prosperity, which she is not likely to onjoy uud«r the present arrangements. Differences are certain to arise between tho powers for the reason that the statesmen of the three countries concerned will be urged to action iu one direction or tho other by the commorcial men of their different countries, whoso representations will be actuated by their cupidity. It is oasy to foresee that there will bo frequent wrangles betwoen tho I

representatives of the three powers, commerce will thus be stagnated, and the action of the laws rendered uncertain. If a constitution is established such rs is sketched the inevitable result will be that each country will have its representatives in the Parliament or whatever else the meeting of representatives may be called, She will be very much in the position of a bone being quarralled over by three dogs, as although passive of necessity, she will be certain to get the worst of it no matter which gains the diplomatic victory. The only advautage the Conierence h?s conferred upon her .is that she will retain tho semblance of independence; There wil 1 be " a king without a crown," and a Parliemont so subservient that it will be a curse rather than a blessing, in that it will bo a tool in the hands of unscrupulous traders, backed by the representatives of their respective countries, If ever an arrangement was arrived at, calculated to develop tho talent for political " cut-throat euchre," the sages who have met in Berlin have provided it. All the representatives w' 1 ! be perfectly aware that neither of their nations will fight over such an insignificant matter, and iu consequence will play the game with a bower up their sleeves, without, the, wholesome fear of the dead 1 y revolver, which has kept many a rogue honest; Unhappy Samoa!