charge of the improvements at the St. Mary's Falls Canal stated that, for the year 1887, the down freight was 1,749.536 tons, and the up freight 1,745,313 tons. The total freight-charges, including terminal charges, were $10,075,153; average freight-charges per ton per mile, 23.100 of a cent. The United States Bureau of Statistics gave the average freight-charges per ton per mile on the trunk railroads for 1886, in round numbers, at one cent. To realize what this benefit means, it is only necessary to show that it represents more than ten times the cost of improving the canal and St. Mary's river to that date, or about six times the estimated cost of the proposed further improvement. At the close of 1888 a similar report stated that the canal was open to navigation from May 7 to Dec. 11.

In the 212 days of navigation, in 1888, there passed through the St. Mary's Canal an aggregate tonnage of over 6,200,000. This, for seven months of navigation, would average 900,000 a month, or nearly double the usual monthly tonnage of the Suez Canal. In 1889 the tonnage was 7,400,000. In other words, St. Mary's Canal does as much in six or seven months as the Suez Canal does in an entire year; and it has one quarter of all the seaport tonnage of the United States. An equally noteworthy fact is the steady increase in the size of vessels. Thus, while there was a decrease of 1,552 vessels, there was an increase of 37 per cent. in the registered tonnage, and an increase in the average cargo of 40 per cent. The average cargo of registered vessels in 1887 was 644 tons; in 1888, 876-6 tons. The to

tianity. The chief articles of importation are clothing, hardware, iron manufactures, arms and ammunition, provisions, drinks, animals, and coal. The Germans have plantations in Upolu, comprising the greater part of the cultivated land on the north side of the island, their area being 9,260 acres. They cultivate cotton for three years after clearing the land, then plant cocoanut palms and sow to grass, and, when the trees have a growth of six years, cattle are admitted to graze the land. There are 500 or 600 tons of copra or dried cocoanut-kernels exported. Coffee of superior quality is also cultivated, and the culture is extending. The laborers are brought from the Solomon, New Hebrides, New Britain, New Ireland, Ellice, and Gilbert Islands, and while on the plantations they are well fed and cared for. (For maps of the islands, see the Annual Cyclopædia" for 1886 and 1888.)

The Samoan Question.-The firm opposition of the United States, and a change in the attitude of Great Britain, impelled Prince Bismarck before the beginning of 1889 to restrain the annexationist proceedings of the German consular and naval authorities in Samoa. A formal arrangement to respect the neutrality of Samoa existed between Germany and England, and with the United States there was a diplomatic understanding to the same effect. Yet at the Washington Conference of 1887 the English Government was willing to agree to German predominance. The powers agreed at the conference that the neutrality of Samoa should be respected, and that the Samoans might select their own rulers. The Samoan treaty with the United States concedes the same privileges that had been or might in the future be granted to any other government. The German consul, Dr. Knappe, when informed by Capt. Brandeis, Tamasese's German adviser, that he was going to make peace with Mataafa, owing to lack of ammunition and the desertion of his men, induced the naval commander to send a party of marines against Mataafa to enforce disarmament. This action, which resulted in the combat of Dec. 18, 1888, and the killing of 20 and wounding of 30 Germans, had no other motive than a desire to bring about the German annexation of the islands. When Prince Bismarck, on Jan. 27, 1889, said in the Reichstag that Germany and England were going hand in hand in Samoa, he was told by Lord Salisbury, in a dispatch to the British ambassador at Berlin, that England declined any responsibility for the conflict between the German Government and a part of the inhabitants of Samoa. Before the warlike operations of December, 1888, Prince Bismarck had directed the consul at Apia to restrict his action to the protection of the lives and property of Germans. Capt. Fritze, the German naval commander, referred Capt. Leary, who protested against the violation of the property of Americans by German marines, to the consul; but in January, 1889, the Chancellor instructed naval officers hereafter, before taking any action, to examine both the political and the military grounds. On Jan. 8 Count Bismarck telegraphed to the German consul that annexation was impossible, on account of the agreement with the United States and England. Tamasese was recognized as King not only by Germany but by Great

Britain; yet the Samoans flocked to the camp of Mataafa. The German authorities declared war against Mataafa, proclaimed martial law, bombarded villages, searched English vessels, destroyed the property of Americans, suppressed the English newspaper in Apia, assumed control of the post-office, arrested British and American citizens, and threatened to bombard Apia. Admiral Kimberly sailed for Samoa on the "Trenton," with powers to inquire into the situation and the acts of the Germans, and to oppose their subjugation of the native Government as a violation of a positive agreement between the treaty powers. The German Government, which had requested the co-operation of the United States, was informed that the American Government was willing to aid in the restoration of order on the basis of the preservation of the complete independence of Samoa. Secretary Bayard protested to Count Arco-Valley that the German authorities in Samoa overstepped the bounds recognized in the law of nations when they assumed to subject American citizens in Samoa to military law. Prince Bismarck telegraphed orders to the naval commander to withdraw the proclamation of martial law, as far as it applied to foreigners, and to Consul Knappe (who was shortly afterward recalled) to retract the demand he had made to have the administration of the country temporarily given into his charge, and to desist from the control of the administration. In the diplomatic appropriations Congress voted $100,000 for the purpose of establishing a coaling-station at Pango Pango harbor, and $500,000 for the execution of the treaty obligations of the United States in Samoa, and the protection of American rights. Consul Sewall, who was objectionable to the Germans, was asked to resign. The English consul in Apia had at first declared that the proclamation of Jan. 19 had no validity as respects British subjects, but when the German naval commander issued a counter-declaration that Englishmen were subject to martial law, he announced that he had been officially informed that the German Government had declared war against the Samoan Islands, and therefore advised English captains of vessels to submit to searches for contraband of war.

On Jan. 19 Prince Bismarck proposed to the Government of the United States a renewal of the conference of 1887. Mr. Bayard accepted the invitation, on condition that in the mean time belligerent action should be suspended. In his letter the Chancellor renewed the declaration made in 1887 that Germany would not call in question the independence of Samoa nor the equal rights of the treaty powers. The German authorities in Samoa, in the beginning of March, withdrew their decree establishing martial law, and abandoned the right of search. Mataafa remained in his intrenched camp with his army of 6,000 warriors. The German consul could not induce him to agree to terms of peace involving a preponderant German influence in the administration, nor would he consent to lay down his arms, but he agreed to keep a truce during the diplomatic negotiations. Tamasese, whose following had dwindled to 600 men, remained in the fort at Zuatuanu.

Dr. Stübel was sent to Apia as consul-general

to replace Consul Knappe, and all the acts against which the English and American consuls had protested were condemned by the Chancellor as contrary to international law; and the new consul was instructed that the demand made by Knappe in his negotiations with Mataafa, that Germany should assume the administration of the Samoan Islands and represent them politically in their external relations, as well as his proposition for annexation, was opposed to treaties, and could not be accomplished without the assent of the United States and Great Britain. When Admiral Kimberly arrived, on March 11, he offered to co-operate with the German and British consuls for the re-establishment of peace and order, and admonished both Mataafa and Tamasese to await the decision of the conference.

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Naval Catastrophe.-On March 15, 1889, a hurricane destroyed or disabled all the American and German war-ships in the harbor of Apia. The vessels were anchored near together in the harbor, a semicircular bay, which is entered through a break in the coral reef that extends across its mouth. When the storm arose in the night, the engines were set at work to relieve the strain on the cables. Nevertheless the vessels dragged their anchors and were dashed one against another and carried upon a coral reef on the western side of the bay. The German gunboat "Eber" first struck the reef, and was turned keel upward. The Samoans, losing sight of their warfare, ran out into the breakers at the great risk of their lives, and saved 1 officer and 4 men, while 5 officers and 66 men were lost. The German flagship, the "Adler," was lifted by the waves to the top of the reef and thrown over on her side. Of the 130 officers and men, 20 were drowned or killed when the ship capsized; the rest swam to the wreck, and clung to the guns and spars, sheltered from the storm, till they were taken off. The American steamer Nipsic," by skillful handling, was kept clear of the reef, and run upon the beach. The German corvette Olga," after striking against nearly every other vessel, was beached on a sand-flat. The British corvette "Calliope," having more powerful engines than any of the other vessls, slipped her cable and succeeded in steaming out to sea, narrowly escaping being thrown upon the reef. The United States steamer Vandalia was carried on the reef near shore, and sank. Those who attempted to swim ashore were nearly all drowned, and those who clung to the masts were swept off by the "Trenton,' which floated by a few hours later, some of them falling into the water and some on the deck of the vessel. The "Trenton" was thrown on the beach in front of the American consulate. The "Nipsic" lost 7 men; the "Vandalia," 5 officers and 39 men; the Trenton," one man. The Samoans showed great heroism in rescuing the crews, making no distinction between Germans and Americans. A large proportion of the saved were wounded. About 900 American and German sailors had to be provided for on shore. The "Olga" was got afloat again soon after the storm, which lasted two days. The "Nipsic" was floated on the 23d, but had lost both screw and rudder. The 15 merchant vessels in the harbor were either sunk or stranded.

The Conference.-At the Samoan Conference of 1887, Germany proposed that the three pow-. ers should appoint a single mandatory to super-vise their common interests, who should be nom inated for five years by the power having the predominant interests in Samoa. He was to have the post of Prime Minister to the native but merely nominal King. This scheme, which would virtually convert Samoa into a German dependency, was supported by England; but the United States would not listen to it, and proposed that there should be three foreign advisers, one nominated by each power, who should preside over the departments of foreign affairs, internal affairs, and finance respectively, and should form with the two kings the governing council.

The new conference met on April 29. The representatives of the United States, appointed by President Harrison shortly after his inauguration, were John A. Kasson, William Walter Phelps, and George H. Bates. The English plenipotentiaries were Sir Edward B. Malet, British ambassador at Berlin; Charles S. Scott, minister to Berne, who was formerly secretary to the Berlin embassy; and J. A. Crowe, commercial attaché at Paris, who had acted as English representative at the Congo Conference. The German representatives were Count Herbert von Bismarck-Schönhausen; Baron Holstein, formerly of the German legation at Washington; and Dr. Krauel, all of the German Foreign Office. Count Bismarck presided at the meetings.

About the time when the conference began its labors, Malietoa was brought back to Samoa and set free. A sub-committee was appointed to consider the future government of the islands, and another to form a plan for adjudicating upon private titles to lands, which were in the greatest confusion, the clains of foreigners embracing an extent of land much greater than the entire area of the islands. A general act was elaborated, which was signed by the plenipotentiaries on June 14. The first article contains a declaration respecting the independence and neutrality of the islands, the equal rights of citizens of the three signatory powers, and the right of the Samoans to elect their own King and choose their form of government, over which neither of the powers shall exercise a separate control. With a view to prompt restoration of peace and order, the powers agreed to reengnize as King the deposed Malietoa Laupepa. The second article simply declared that the new treaty should prevail over any conflicting provisions in former treaties. The third article provided for the creation of a Supreme Court, to consist of a single judge, who shall be named by the three treaty powers, or, if they fail to agree, by the King of Sweden and Norway, and may be removed for cause at the request of a majority of the signatory powers. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction of all questions arising under the treaty, and any question arising among the Samoans respecting the election of kings or chiefs, shall not lead to war, but shall be referred to him for decision; and any difference between either of the treaty powers which they shall fail to adjust by mutual accord shall not lead to war, but shall be pre-' sented for decision to the chief justice. He may recommend to the Samoan Government laws

for the punishment of crime and the protection of good order, and for the collection of taxes in Samoa outside the district of Apia. He shall have exclusive jurisdiction over: 1, all civil suits concerning real property; 2, all suits between natives and foreigners; 3, all crimes committed by natives against foreigners or by foreigners against natives, except in Apia. Questions between masters and seamen of their respective nationalities remain under the jurisdiction of the consuls. The fourth article provides that there shall be no more alienation of lands by the natives, except town lots in Apia and agricultural lands that are not needed for support of the native population. The latter may be leased to foreigners for forty years, subject to the approval of the Samoan King and the chief justice. All titles to lands claimed or occupied by foreigners will be examined and passed upon by three commissioners to be named by the three treaty powers, and shall not be allowed unless conveyed by the rightful owner for a reasonable consideration and properly described and identified. All disputed claims are to be referred for final decision to the chief judge. When land has been cultivated and improved, a defective title may be made complete by the payment of an additional sum to be ascertained by the commission and approved by the court. Continued occupation and cultivation for ten years establish a title by prescription. All claims based on mere promises to sell or options to buy, or where the articles of conveyance give no description sufficiently accurate to enable the commission to define the boundaries of the property, or where no consideration was expressed, or where the consideration was not paid in full or was manifestly inadequate, or finally in cases where the consideration for the sale, lease, or mortgage was firearms or munitions of war or intoxicating liquors, the claims must be rejected. The commission, which shall complete its labors before the end of two years, is required to survey the lands of all Europeans, and register all valid titles. The fifth article relates to the municipality of Apia. The tax-payers will elect six councilors, but the president of the council and chief executive officer of the municipality will be appointed by the three powers, or, if they fail to agree, on any person, by the chief executive of Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, or Brazil. He may act on the joint instructions of the three powers, but not on the separate instructions of one of them; and may advise the Samoan King, and shall give such advice when the King requests it. He will have charge of the municipal revenues, rendering account of receipts and disbursements to the King and the Municipal Council. He shall superintend the harbor and quarantine regulations, and shall have charge of the administration of the laws and ordinances applicable to the municipal district. The sixth article requires that all foreign goods must be imported through the port of Apia; but coal and stores for the naval stations may be landed at the harbors reserved for the several powers, and are not subject to duty. The customs duties, license taxes, and other taxes collected in the district of Apia, are available for the support of the municipal government, except license taxes paid by Samoans and the

native capitation-tax of $1 per annum, the proceeds of which must be turned over to the Samoan Government. Imports of alcoholic liquors, tobacco, and sporting arms and gunpowder are taxed at specific rates, and all other merchandise pays 2 per cent. ad valorem. Export duties of 14, 2, and 24 per cent. respectively are levied on cotton, coffee, and copper. Imported laborers pay a capitation-tax of $2, and for every trade, profession, and store a license duty is charged. All revenues collected outside the district of Apia shall be for the use of the Samoan Government. The seventh article prohibits the sale to natives of intoxicating liquors of any kind, and the importation of firearms except for sporting, for which licenses must be obtained from the president of the Municipal Council. The sale of arms to Samoans or other Pacific islanders by foreigners is also prohibited. The seventh article provides that the treaty shall remain in force until changed by the consent of the powers; that at the end of three years the powers shall consider what ameliorations may be introduced, and in the mean time special amendments may be adopted by the consent of the three powers and the Samoan Government. The treaty shall be ratified within ten months of the date of the signature, and in the mean time the powers respectively engage to adopt no measure that is opposed to it, but to give effect to its provisions prior to its ratification.

The Restoration of Malietoa.-After the powers had come to an agreement at the conference, Tamasese, who had refused to make peace at the demand of Admiral Kimberly, except on the basis of Mataafa's submission, agreed to peace at the prompting of the German authorities. Malietoa and the three other exiled chiefs were brought back on a German gunboat, arriving in Samoa on Aug. 11, and Herr Stübel informed Malietoa that he was at liberty to do as he pleased. Mataafa met him and offered to resign the royal powers into his hands. Malietoa declined to assume control of affairs until a satisfactory settlement could be made. The people preferred Mataafa for King, and when the tribes met in October for the election of their chief, King Malietoa, in the presence of the foreign representatives, praised Mataafa, and recommended that he should be elected. The assembled people acclaimed Mataafa as King. Tamasese's followers did not assent to the election, and some of them on the island of Savaii attacked some of Mataafa's partisans. A force of several hundred collected to punish the aggressors, and a fight took place in which 1,000 men were engaged, and many were killed. The American representatives in Samoa would not countenance the election of Germany's enemy, and pressure was brought to induce the Samoans to choose Malietoa, who was elected King by a later assembly, and was recognized as such by proclamations issued by the consuls of the three powers on Nov. 9. On Dec. 16 a large number of the chiefs who had been attached to Tamasese's party came in a body to Malietoa and announced their allegiance. On Dec. 24 the King issued a proclamation in which he prohibited the sale, lease, or mortgage of any land to foreigners, the importation of arms or ammunition, and the sale of intoxicating liquors.