The plot thickens in -Samoa. American opinion is clearly growing
excited, the .general idea being that Germany is breaking treaties in defiance of American remonstrance. Congress has accordingly authorised the President to spend £100,004) in Samoa, and it is announced that the Government will establish a permanent naval station in the islands. Mr. Bayard. rejects the idea of war, but states that the Govern- ment will not recede, and is determined to maintain the independence of Samoa. On the other hand, the Germans, in order to prevent ,the import of arms, have formally declared war on Samoa, have established a blockade, and are searching all vessels which arrive. It is expected, moreover, that they will use all the men they can collect to attack Atateafa, the King supported by the majority of the islanders, who have collected six thousand fairly armed men in their chief's defence. Under .these circumstances, a serious collision is possible between Germans and Americans ; but it is difficult to believe that Prince .Bismarck,.wit,h General Boulangerjust elected, intends to risk anything of the sort. He should remember the precedent of 1848, when the Austrian Emperor, having, as he considered, been insulted by the .United States, refused the challenge, avowedly on the ground that the inter- ference of America in the politics of the Old Worldwould intro- duce an incalculable element into all European combinations.
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