St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-27
NAP SHOWING THE RELATIVE LOCATION or THE SAMOAN ISL AMOS

ticipate conditions beyond its conduct o
control. Very respectfully.
VIC. WHITNEY, Secretary OF the Navy.
Hon.. II. A. Herbert, Chairman Committee
on Naval Affairs, House of Representatives.
The following is the enclosure above
referred to:
Navy Department, Washington, Jan. S.
Of dispatch just received by way OF New
Zealand. from the captain Of the Nipsic,
now at Samoa. The department is able TO
send Immediately two additional vessels to
Samoa, in response to this request and has
given directions that they be made ready to
receive sailing orders, and would be pleased
to strengthen the force at the Samoan islands
by these and other vessels of the Pacific
squadron, If any useful purpose is TO be
served thereby. Il, however, the purpose Of
entirely clear. imposes no duty
upon the officers Of the squadron.
to strengthen the naval force at those islands
would only place the officers under irrita-
tive conditions with no duty to perform,
and would in all probability give rise to
trouble. The Nipsic is entirely adequate for
the protection Of our consulate, and as an
asylum for Don-combatants entitled to the
protection OF our government. In view of
the critical situation at the samoan islands,
1t seems to the department that the officers
of the aquadron. If further vessels are to be
dispatched. should receive instructions of
definite character as to their duty in the
premises. From the correspondence hereto
fore held between the department of state and
the German government and from the reports
received from the naval officers and the
consular agency at the island, it appears
clear that the conquest of those islands is in
tended by the German government in the
interests OF a commercial company and is
being cOnsummated by overt acts, which are
multiplying day by day. There is no longer
any other pretext upon which can be ex-
planned the interference of the German man.
ot-war in the contest in progress upon the
island of Apia. Iapprehend that the officers
of the navy will not understand, without def
1nite adrices to that effect. what their duty
may be under the circumstances as
they are developing. Our antecedent
relations to this group Of islands and
exceptional character, and will be likely to
give rise to doubts in the minds of the Off.
GERS as to their duty under existing condi-
tions. In these two groups of islands, by
treaty, harbors have been reserved for the
use of the navy OF the United states, and as
to the Samoan group. the three governments
Germany, Great Britain and the United
States-have,up to recent date. acted together
upon the theory OF mutual cooperation
in preserving the autonomy of the people Of
the Samoan islands. harbor at Samoa
would be now Of national consequence to u.s.
as g. future naval power; but if
the islands are to go under the
dominion OF another government. it would
ceased to be use to us. The department has
heretofore directed the officers of the squad
ronto act in accordance with the instructions
which the consular agent at Samoa shall re-
ceive from the department Of state; but in
view OF the late advices, and this request for
an additional force, the department desires
to be advised whether it is the purpose