New-York tribune., 1878-04-12
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRmUNE.l

FARE BY ROBBING THE UNITED STATES OF
RICH PRIZE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, April lit was given out
10 the public several weeks ago tnat the Government
had ordered a naval vessel the Adams TO be detached
the Pacific Squadron Tor the purpose OF conveying
to the Samoan Islands Mr. Mamoa, the special envoy OF
tha, country to the United States Mamoa, who will
soon leave Washington. remained here for several
months waiting the completion Of a treaty with his
country. This treaty, after rather tedious delay was
finally procured and ratified about six weeks ago Dur
ing absence Of Mr Mamoa from Washington after tue
treaty had been completed, there sprang up,
I'm some quarters, rumor that the English
Government had also dispatched a war vessel |
to the Samoan Islands. There is reason TO
believe that rumOr well founded and the State and
Navy Departments giving the subject very careful
attention their deliberations with reference to the pos
sihe emergency which threatens to wrest from the
United states in the very instant Of realization, the
fruits Of an important treaty.
The stake no less than the possession OF
the principal harbor in the Samoan group Of Islands and
the right of free trade with the islands These interests
were ceded by the treaty, and amount. in CONNER
cia value alone to several millions Of dollars annually
The emergency which eniaugers these interests is al
ready present one.
II well known that prior to the time OF stenDeigers
residence among them the Sam0aus through their chief,
Mooaga and Captain Meade offered the Uni!edsates tile
times Invited the protection Of The American Govern
meut 1t ia also well known that the government which
seinberger established for the SamOans and which was
friendly TO American interests, was OverthrOwn by
British interference and intrigue. It Is not So well
known. however, that English diplomacy since that
dime has employed every possible agency TO destroy
American influence and interests in these Islands and to
get control both OF their Government and trade. In
spite OF these onipavors the Samoans have renamed
faithful to their American productions, having from
time time during the past two years returned Amer
can agents their islands the authorized agents Of
their own Government to procure recognition and
treaty Of ami;y and commerce from the United States
Their last ambassador Mr.. Mamoa, is native s. |
moan He sailed for the Untei states last october |
after the English had exhausted strategy 20 prevent his
embarEaton in the vessel which brought him to san
Francisco
on bis arrival here Mr. Mamoa extremely anxious
to haston the business heteaty with the Government
since affairs at home were dangerously disturbed both
by the discussions OF rival aspans ana the inirges Of
British agents and 1t expected the part OF the
great majority OF the islanders, whom Mamoas mission
represented that speedy recognition OF their existing
Government by the United States would give 1t strength
and pcrmanence. But the State Department delayed TO
finish the treaty until the beginning OF February and 1t
is now feared good grounds, that the English, so
often our masters diplomacy, have taken advantage
OF American dilatOrness to intervene and take prac
cal possession OF these islands event which, in all
rob us Of all its benefits, political and CONNER |
clal The apprehension OF English occupation Of |
the islands is known 10 be based In large !
part upon information contained IN a private |
letter received from legal agent in Samoa |
by gentleman in this city, formerly resident and con-
sar officer OF the United States in the islands. The sa
moan agent writing in the latter part OF January, 10
plain why certain private interests have not been ad |
yanced makes the important incidental statement that
the delay action his part Occasoned by the ex
pectaon OF the arrival in the month of February OF Sir
Arthur Gordon, the English Governor OF the FUs 10 es
tabsh courts Samoa. In addition to this, the letter
Itself containing this significant news is stamped with
nm English stamp printed for the Samoan Government,
bearing an EnglishSamoan device, characterzing IL as
Samoan Express Postage sixpence" More pertinent
and conclusive evidence Of the establishment OF English
authority and influence in these islands can hardly be
demanded What form English occupation and authority
have taken 1t is difficult to cojecurc as they ace more
recent than word which Mr. ManOa himself Lad re-
ceiyed from The islands up TO two weeks ago.
The letter which has been mentioned was presented
soon reception Tor the inspection OF the sece-
ruor dispatch Of English vessel TO the islands,
the Secretary expressed much concern as TO the possible
danger Of belgerent contact which might arise from
having ordered an American naval vessel into those
waters, and has threatened since that time TO de-
tam Adams at Panama declaring that he VIII not run
the risk OF collision with tho English vessel for the Is
lands of the Pacific.
WHAT ENGLISH OCCUPATION MEANS.
Such is at present the status of the American in
the affairs OF Samoa 1t TO be what de-
yelopments may be Immediately made in this matter,
aud what complications may possibly arise out of them
in view Of recent treaty with these islands, and their
almost certain preOccupation by the English
IL is undoubted that English occupation or English |
protection the exclusion Of all other interests
from the islands, especially those Of free commerce
with them. " 1t is England's policy" said Mr. Fred
erick Seward speaking Of this affair recently, 10
sweep under her control all the islands OF the she
took possession Of the Fs twelve years ago, In the
same line Of ambition in which she extends her pro-
tectorate over Samoa" The Assistant Secretary OF |
State omitted assert that. consistently with the
British theory OF free trade, which conveniently stops
with selfish British interests at home, England on as
sumina protectorate the Fs IN less than three
years ruined almost every industry In those islands,
commercial and agricultural by tariffs aud excessive
taxation.
whether in the present complications OF the affairs Of
Samoa the United States will insist aintaining the
privileges which have been accorded in the treaty with
that country or will lend effective moral aid
the samoans In their attempt TO rescue themselves from
the threatened English domination. is problematica
The Importance OF rgidy demanding the fruits OF
treaty IL said by those best informed the subject
can hardly be exaggerated Colonel Stenbergers elabo
rate report made 10 the state Department In |
1873, Of the opuent resources Of these Islands,