It seems to be admitted on all hands that the
Foreign Office is much occupied with the affairs of Samoa. German public opinion is much inflamed, and the Emperor is said to be urgent in insisting that the islands, which now belong to America, Germany, and England conjointly, should be divided, or that two Powers should retreat in favour of the third, receiving compensation. The precise attitude of America is not known, but our position is simple and clear. We shall accede to any arrangement which seems satisfactory to Washington. We do not want the islands, or any portion of them, but we do value the friendship of America, and if she cannot be contented we must hold on. Moreover, as the Government holds all estates in trust for the people, we must, before we surrender any of them, receive its value, either through an exchange or by support given to our policy in other directions. The German idea that islands ought to be "given" them because of their position in the world is not tenable, and is entirely opposed to their own practice.
