New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-11
AMERICAS RIGHTS IN SAMOA
SENATOR FRYE TELLS HOW THEY HAv2
BEEN NEGLECTED AND ABUSED.
DIsHoNoRABLE TALE OF BAYARD's 0@ooa
INACTIVITY IN THE FACE OF GERMAN AND
ENGLISH AGGRESSION IN SAMOA
AMERICAN INTERESTS SHAME
FULLY TREATED.
-yBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

-yBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNAL
Washington, Dec lO.-Mr. Frye offered in the
Senate to-day resolution which, If adopted, will
throw food of light upon one of the most dis
graceful and humiliating chapters in Mr.. BaJard's
diplomatic history. Briefly stated, 1t provides
for thorough investigation OF the present rela-
tions of this country to the Samoan Islands, and
for an inquiry into the extent of the obligations
which the United States incurred under existing
treaties with those islands The general public is
already acquainted with the main facts which at
tended the high hhanded proceedings OF the German
Government-instituted, presumably, with the
sanction OF England-by which King Msletoa was
deprived Of bis crown, carried an exile to foreign
parts, and a pretender put by German arms on
his throne. The public is not so well acquainted.
however, with the shameful and pusllanmous con-
duct on the part of the State Department by
which alone this high-handed outrage upon
friendly king, who had repeatedly given SUBJ
stantial signs OF his friendship for the United
States. was made possible. 1t is this which Mr..
Frye's resolution is designed to sift and probe
to the bottom
As might have been expected, the adoption Of
the resolution opposed by the
mouthpiece of the State Department, and
the personal friend of Secretary Bayard, Mr..
Gray. Precisely what Mr. Gray sought to gain
by his course, except delay, did not appear. Mr.
Frye's arraignment was a forcible and eloquent
one 1t stirred the sluggish blood even Of Demo
cratic Senator's There scarcely vacant
seat the floor, and as far as the galleries were
concerned there could not be the slightest doubt
that the sympathes of that part of the audience
at least were with the manly, dignifed and patti
otto utterances of the Senator from Maine.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN SAMOA
Mr. Frye began his speech with resums
of recent affairs in the islands, par
ticularly as to the course of the German and
English Governments and insisted that the United
States was bound to resist the encrOachments OF
those governments. In his judgment. the exist
ing state OF affairs at those islands made the in
quiry an imperative necessity at this time, al
though it might disclose an exceedingly dlsreput-
bic chapter of history in American diplomacy. NO
American citizen could question the interest of the
United States in the preservation of the indepe1d-
ence of Samoa. Those islands were in the centre
of the Pacific Ocean. little while ago the United
States had obtained concession of one of the
most magnificent harborS of the world in those
islands, and had established coaling station
The United States had made treaty with Samoa
in 1873; and Great Britain and Germany had
made treaties with Samoa in the following year.
in which treaties it was understood and agreed
that the independence and neutrality OF Samoa
would be forever preserved. King Maetoa was
warm friend of the United States, so warm
friend that the fact prov oked the Jealousy OF the
German business men on the islands. Maletoa
had been a warm friend, because he looked upon
the United States 8s bound to maintain the lnde-
pendence of his country In 1886 Tamassi re-
belled against the King; but the rebellion could
have been put down without difficulty, because
Maletoa was King of one of the bravest peoples
in that part Of the world The American ana
English representatives in Samoa, however, de-
string to prevent boodshed, called the attention
of Maletoa to the obligations of the United States
and Great Britain, and persuaded him TO allow
Tamassis rebellion to proceed so far as il could
for it was a feeble One if unaided. Nhletoa,
therefore, did nothing But trouble was brewing
in Samoa complaints came to the State Depart
ment from the American consul, and commits
sioner was sent out, and an investigation made.
GERMANYs HIGHHANDED ACTION
Finally it was considered an absolute necessity
that tnore should be some settlement; and con-
ference was agreed upon, TO be held in WasnlnS-
ton in 1887 between the United States, Great
Britain and Germany. In that conference Ger
many had demanded or asked, that she should
absolutely control those islands. Secretary BY
ard had refused to comply with such an unrea-
solved but had simply taken recess; and within
ten days from the beginning Of that recess the
German feet had sailed for Samoa, entered the
harbor and had taken possession of the Islands.
She did this, Mr. Frye said. undoubtedly with
the consent Of Great Britain and with full un-
derstanding in advance with Great Britain Is
there had been such understanding, Great
Britain never would have allowed il 70 be done.
The English feet would have gone TO Samoa and
the German feet would have retired IL WAS an
outrage and an insult 10 the United States, when
ne great country would submit to for single
moment.
The Germans, he said. had taken practical pos
session Of the islands; had espoused the cause OF
Tamass: had compelled the surrender Of King
Maletoa and had deported him to remote
island. where he to-day. They had put
Tlmass in power and had appointed as his Pre-
micr German consular clerk. They had boy
cotted American business men; plcketed the
American Consulate with German guards; hauled
down. or compelled to be hauled down. the Amerl
outrage on those poor people who had been frlends
of Maletoa: They had broken up the business Of
American business men there, and had treated
the American Consul with insult. Finally, the
German fleet had sailed away, leaving Tamassi
in power.
GROSS INACTIoN OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Frye said that he understood very well
that Secretary Bayard had defined distinctly 10
the German authorities the position assumed by
the United States, Ont having dchned tnaO
position the matter had rested there from tEat
time 10 this: and nothing had been done u
restore the rights Of American citizens in Samoa.
A short time ago, Mr. Frye continued. Mataafa,
a legitimate successor of Maetoa. had raised troops
among Maletoa's friends, and at the last adj
vices had given battle to Tamass; routed him,
conquered him thoroughly and TO-DAY a
legitimate king on the throne OF Samoa. But
at the same time had come the news that the
German feet was once more sailing 20 Samoa.
What for No one knew but there was no reason
10 doubt that Germany intended 70 take absolute
possession OF those islands And why, he asked,
should she not? Great Britain had interposed
no objection tO her past action. and the United
States had done absolutely nothing within the
last five or six months IN regard 10 IT, Why
then should not Germany assume that the United
States and Great Britain were ready 70 permit
her 10 take posses ION Of the islands, Germany
undoubtedly intended 10 do so, and % raise the