Herr von Biilow, the German Secretary for Foreign Affairs, on.
Friday,. April 14th, explained to the Reichstag the Em- peror's policy in Samoa. It was intended to adhere firmly to the Samoa Acts, unless they were modified by the consent of the three Powers. ,.The: tripartite Commission which has been appointed will therefore, though invested with supreme powers over all officials in Samoa, be able to do nothing unless its three members are agreed, and also the Governments behind them. For Herr von Biilow, while deprecating war between civilised Powers for the sake of an island in the Pacific of no real importance, stated that German rights in Samoa were regarded in Germany as involving a point of honour, and he Government would assent to nothing which interfered with them. There is the rattle of the sabre to be heard in the speech, but we dare say it was only intended to conciliate the Colonial party and the Catholic Centre, which is anxious about the Catholic Pretender Mataafa. The prospect, however, is not altogether encouraging, and will be less so if Herr von Billow does not attend more closely to Lord Palmerston's advice. That able Premier told Count Walewski, who was disposed to menace, that the word " war " should never be mentioned between diplomatists. Neither England nor America is in the mood to be threatened.
