A preposterous importance continues to be given to the disputes
in Samoa, a trumpery group in the Pacific of twelve hundred square miles and forty thousand people ;,but it is reported this week that the three Governments concerned— London, Washington, and Berlin—are agreed on the appoint- ment of a Commission of three gentlemen who, when unanimous, will have nearly absolute powers. They are to revise the Constitution which governs the . group, dismiss officials if necessary, and perhaps advise a division of the islands. The matter would be of ,little importance to Great Britain, which. needs oply a coaling-station, even if she needs that, but that we must vigorously support American claims. The business will be expensive and tedious, for Samoa is one of the few places which are still far .off; and we supPose Signor Marconi will not, even try to flash his 'messages there. Note that ou the first pews of the disturbance the Premier of New Zealand offered to despatch a regiment to support any British decision.
