“Hand Samoa Over To U.S.A.”

THE New Zealand National Review of February advances a number of rea sons—notably the success of the American administration of Eastern Samoa, com pared with New Zealand’s woeful and ex pensive effort in Western Samoa —why Western Samoa should be handed over to the United States. Says the Review: ‘‘lt is conceivable that Britain would raise no objection to the transfer, as it would strengthen Britain’s position in the Pacific. New Zealand has forfeited her right to object. France could produce no strong grounds for objection. Japan would have no right to object. German aspira tions could be better met elsewhere. The League of Nations could with justice cancel the Mandate in favour of a Protectorate by America.”

The writer, apparently, has never heard of the British Colonial Service, and its success in governing countries like Samoa.

The suggestion that the League of Nations should cancel the Mandate, in order to give a Protectorate to U.S.A. (whose refusal to go to Geneva eventually hamstrung the League) is—well, piquant.