The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-07
WASHINGTON.
Senators Reagan, and Frye OF
Maine, Join Hands on the
Samoan Question.
Their Conclusions as to Bis
marck's Hidden Hand IN
the Matter.
FIFTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE.


and interesting debate, in which Senators
Frye and Reagan took strong ground in
favor of protecting the independence OF
Samoa aud of securing a harbor there for
American ships, and in which it was init
mated by them aud Senator Hale that the
debate would come up again soon in
another and more serious form, perhaps
involving the relations of the United
States and Germany, Senator Reagan
proposed modification to the amend.
meut which was Withdrawn, and the
amendments as reported from the com
mittee on foreign affairs were agreed to
After the passage of few private bills
the senate resumed consideration of the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill, the pending question being on the
amendment referring to Samoa.
Senator Reagan offered an amendment,
which he had indicated yesterday, to in
sert the words Sand for tho protection of
the rights of American citizens residing
in said islands, and to preserve the neu-
trality aud independence thereof"
Senator Frye did not agree that no
wrongs had been committed in Samoa
against American citizens. He thought
the evidence very conclusive that wrongs
had been committed on them, but that
was at issue and he hoped the senator
from Texas would not insist on his amend
ment now.
Senator Reagan went on to say he agreed
with Senator Frye that there was not q
fourth European power that would have
stood the insults which the United States
government has stood from Germany. He
was sorry, he said, to see dis
position to shrink from meeting
the duty of the government. The consular
agent of the United States at
Samoa, the officers and crews of
American ships there, and United
States citizens residing there, could
not fail to be Inundated by the fact
that their government had permitted
Germany to trample upon their rights
and upon the rights of Samoa
in face of treaty stipulations
and understanding. Instead of trying to
cover them up, wisdom and prudence and
the interests of the country required the
facts to be met. If the government of
of tho United States had assumed obliga-
tions to Somoa, it should execute them. If
il owed duties to its citizens there, it
should perform those duties. If the flag of
the. United States had been insulted, if the
property of the United States in Samoa
han been placed at the mercy of German
tpa thrnnfyh ha nti s,f tho
government, the fact ought TO be recog-
nized and one of two things ought to be
done. If the rights of the United States
we're TO be abruptly abandoned, the Amer
loan COUNSEL and commanders of American
ships ought to be called home and not
subjected to insult and degradation, and
whatever rights the United States had
there ought to abandoned or else the
rights which belong to this country ought
to be asserted, squarely and manfully.
Senator Frye added some remarks IA TO
the Importance of the harbOr of Pago-
Pago to the commercial and other inter
ests of the United States on the Pacific
ocean, and then proceeded to read com
ment upon an asserted press dispatch just
received from Auckland, New Zealand.
The dispatch and comments ran along in
this way:
"Advices from Samoa say German officials have
given notice that all vessels arriving Their will be
searched for articles contrsband of war"
SO that the right OF search of American
vessels (if this dispatch is correct) is as
serted by Germany. They have sup
pressed the Samoan Times. If that is
true, then free speech is stopped i'll
Samoa.
"a passenger on British steamer, who visited
Mataafas camp, was Immediately put under arrest
hut was subsequently released in compliance with
the demand ofthe British consul"
If he had been an American l suppose it
would not have done for the American
consul to have demanded his release.
"a proclamation has been issued putting TIE
A pia police force under German control. Mata-
tfa's followers number 5000; they are strongly
entronched Other Samoans are rapidly, joining
them. On the arrival of the steamer Richmond
she was boarded and searched for guns"
OF course, continued Senator Frye, do
not know wether the statements in this
dispatch are true, but if they are true,
then these assertions are made by the
Germans in Samoa. One is the right of
search of American vessels going into the
harbors of nation with which we are in
treaty relations. The second is the sus-
pension of free speech. Another is assum-
ing control of the police of Apia, mu-
nicipality which by agreement between
Germany, England and the United States
and the Samoan king, was made neutral
ground.
Senator Reagan-In view of the remark
of the senator from Maine, who is a mem
Der of the committee on foreign relations,
that it would be perhaps best to let the
remain as reported, and in
view of the fact that matters are very rap
idly assuming such shape that we shall
probably have the question before us in
another form very soon, withdraw my
Senator Hale expressed the belief that
German IDterferepre in Samoa had been
the direct act of the German government,
and in pursuance of settled policy on
the part of the government.
The amendments we're then agreed to
without division.
The amendments raising to the rank of
ambassadors the ministers to England,
France, Germany aud Russia we're rejected
yeas, 20; nays, &c. The bill was passed.
The credentials of Edward o. Walcoott,
senator elect from Colorado, were pre-
sented aud placed on file. The senate
then proceeded to executive session on
the British extradition treaty. The senate
spent four hours in consideration of the
treaty, but adjourned, leaving 1t still
pending.