Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-25

view OF his position a. q member Of the
Foreign Relations Cotlmltsee he preferred
not TO say anything In regard 20 the question
AZ It's present stage. When the matter ma.
tured, he SAID, DO would be perfectly willing
70 talk about Il.
senator Morgan talked quite freely on the
subject. THE details Oh The troubles In 81.
mos,' he said, "are matters OF dispute ut
present, and Il would therefore be prema-
ture 70 discuss the grounds OF Germsny's
action until We are In foil possession OF all
the facts. The Administration has been
active In asserting our rights 10 ssmOs. and
congress has shown strong determination
10 support the Administration IN any
action looking TO the preservation OF the in
dependence OF the issnds and the protection
OF American Interests there. think the
steps ALREADY taken will prove adequate
TO The emergency. and am perfectly sstls.
hied that Whatever rights we have will be
faithfully protected. We have always pur-
sued The conservative course In respect 10
these islands and have always endeayored 10
maintain their neutrality. am confident that
we shall maintain whichever rights we may
have 10 that quarter. The United States has
no colonisl policy. and while We are Of course
desirous OF keeping our commerce open With
all the world we do not, like Germany, desire
70 extend our national Jurisdiction. While
there may he some question as 10 the capacity
OF the ustl9es OF samoa and Jamaica 10 main
tain good government 10 is certain that none
Of the great maritime Powers OF the
world has any right TO usurp that power
20 ilscf. We have material Interests IN these
Islands and stall tolerate no act on tho part
Of another Power which will interfere with
our free commerce with them" Mr.. Nor
gan said Secretary Bsyard had been very
uniuslly criticised for his course Ia this
matter. As matter OF fact, said Mr. Nor
gan, be bad done all that could be done,
and when all the facts are disclosed II will
be found that his policy all through mas been
dignifec, positive, and truly American In
every respect.
Senator FRYE al first was reluctant 10 be in
terviewod further IN regard 10 Samoan affairs,
Out finally consented. 81 think" said be,
"Our treaty rights are such in Samoa that we
cannot permit the Independence OF Samos 10
be taken away from her. N Germany can
put governor who Is nothing but tool OF
her own INTO power in Samoa, tbev can COM
pei them al once 10 give notice TO the United
States - terminate all our treaties. and after
notice they would be terminated IN year. l
think the treaties, on tue whole, taken to-
getber, guarantee the Independence Of Sa-
mOa. ! think Bismarck IN all ~ bis dis
pstches has indicated that this is bis idea OF
it,"
"Do you regard the situation as very
threaienngY'
81 think the idea Of a war Is as absurd as
II possibly can W.
senstor Dobbs was likewise at first re-
lucisnt 10 be quoted. lie said: al think
the treaty between the United states and the
samoan Government. which was ratified be-
fore treaties between thst Government and
Great Britain, or Germany, or any other
civilized government were negotiated. con-
fers upon us rights and creates as to US obliga-
tons which src inconsistent with the de-
structon Of the independence snd autonomy
OF the Samoan Government | DO not be-
live the United States should or will quietly
permit that 20 be done. In the Interests Of our
present and great prospective commerce IN
The Pacific, independence Of the Sandwich
aud samoan Islands should be preserved.
do not think there Is any cause or PROBABLE
ily Of war"