National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-04
Interview With Capt. ID. $. Parker,
from Samoan Islands,

Mr.. d. s. Parker, Of New Jersey, long
resident In the Samoan islands, having
business between Apia and San Francisco,
one Of the leading American merchants In
those distant islands Of the South Pacific,
is now in Washington and guest Of the
National Hotel, where one Of the staff of
the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN called on him
for information concerning that part of the
world from which few days ago we re.
ceived and published some startling tele-
graphic communications concerning the
action Of our consul, Mr.. Greenebaum
Capt. Parker was somewhat reticent about
the political affairs of that country, though
very politely, expressed his willingness to
give any information concerning the COM
merce and products.
The gentleman said What the American
people most desire at this moment is your
opinion about the recent action of United
States Consul Greenebaum. Mr.. Parker in
q smiling way said the United States consul
at Apia acted like man of no experience
and no knowledge of his consular duty,
more foolishly than seriously, and all that
at the instigation Of the British consul, who
is in continual conflict with the German
consul; consequently the American consul
became the ally of the British consul against
the German, but do not believe that Con.
sui Greenebaum's conduct will be approved
by this government because 1t is contrary
to the American interests and policy of nom
intervention In the domestic affairs of other
nations.
Mr.. Parker said abouta year ago the vice
King, Tomasese, seeded from King NAL.
iatoa on account of his breaking faith with
the Germans, and over three-Quarters of
the population followed the vice king, and
Immediately after King Maliatoa sent let
tiers ana two ambassadors to New Zealand,
Offering the whole group of the Samoan
Islands TO be annexed to Great Britain,
and in this scheme, is my opinion, that
United States Consul Greenebaum was in
full accord with King Malatoa and with
the British consul, and ever since the islands
have been in a state of agitation, much
detrimental to the commerce and prosperity
of the country, and puts in jeopardy the
political independence Of those remote and
fertile islands, whose Inhabitants are good
natured, generous hearted and inoffensiye,
like the subjects OF the chivalrous King
Ralakaua.
1t appears that Consul Greenebaum has
conducted himself in the Samoan Islands
Just as foolishly and awkwardly as 0reat
General Comfy, Of Ohio, did in tue Hawaiian
Islands; one the tool OF the British consul,
and the other the tool of the missionary ring.
Mr.. Parker, man OF vast experience, OF
over twenty years residence In the south
Pacific islands, and a highly respected
citizen merchant tells us that those islands
are very fertile, and sugar cane can be
cultivated there very successfully, as 1t is in
the Hawaiian Islands, and coffee grows
there just as good as In any other part of
the world, and so 1t is with cotton, indigo,
tapioca, rice, bananas, pineapples, mangoes,
&c. At present the principal article of eX-
port is dried cocoanuts, called cobra.
The principal imports from the United
States are lumber, canned salmon, kerosene
oil, flour, biscuits, dry goods, shirting,
calico, hardware, wine, and beer. These
goods are carried there by American yes
sells from Frisco.
Capt, Parker, who is about TO return TO
his happy home in Apia, thinks that the
United States ought to pay more attention
to the development of the commerce aud to
the geographical importance of the Samoan,
Friendly, and Hawaiian island groups.
O, q, NJ