Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-01-31
TALKING BUSINESS.
L. $. Rights In Samoa-Mr. Sherman's >
Stand Senatorial Action.

v hohlNSloN, jul. Ol l.-~oIl dSItcHleHl
in relation to Samoa having been reached,
the senate went into executive session.
When the doors reopened Sherman said
he would like to state publicly the posi-
ton which he took in the Samoan ques-
tior so it might appear in the records. He
gave areview of the events on the Samoan
islands from the time when the attention
OF the United States was first called to
them, the various conferences, treaties,
etc.
Summing up his long speech Sherman
said that the first thing to be done was
for the United States to assert its power
in occupancy and possession of the bay
of Pagopago, and that ought to be done
Immediately, 1t did not need war to
protects nations rights. Mere assertion
of these rights and due regard for them,
expenditure of moEey there, storing Of
coal there, coal ior vessels there, all
these things were assertions OF power far
more influential than a protocol and
diplomacy. do not think it necessary
to,Elenace any one. believe a straight
forward, manly negotiation should be en-
tered into between these great pow
ers. 1t would be great shame
and disgrace to our civilization
and christianity ii we could not
agree upon some mode OF government for
those islands. Whatever newspapers
may say there is nothing in the situation
that would justify it on the part of either
nation, because of the peace, until every
effort is exhausted to bring about quiet
and peaceable settlement Of the contro-
versy. Firt we want to insert and main
tain our rights to station at Pagopago,
and nobody will call that right in ques-
ton. Next we ought to do what we
promise to do, employ our good offices to
settle the difficulties OF these people.
Therefore l am willing to vote any sum OF
money to enable the president to conduct
negotiations, to make surveys of the har-
bors, and to get better information in re-
lation to those islands. am willing to
vote the sum named in the amendment
($600,000) and place it at the discretion OF
Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Harrison, and |
have no doubt that the power thus given
to send agents there and to send ships
there will bring about prompt solution
of this small controversy.
TAKING ACTION,
Representative Morrow, of California,
has introduced for reference the following
joint resolutions:
Resolved, That the present condition OF
affairs at Samoa requires that this govern
ment should aid the people of those isl
ands in securing an Independent native
government free from the claims of terri
torial jurisdiction OF any European power,
and to the end that this purpose may be
speedily accomplished, the president OF
the United States is hereby requested to
insist on q restoration of affairs as the
same existed at the time of the eonven-
ton between the representatives of the
governments of Germany, Great Britain
and the United States, held in the city OF
Washington in June and July, 1887 that
he further aid in securing settlement OF
the pending difficulties of Samoa on a
solid foundation and in the restoration Of
peace and good order, establish an indie
pendent government, with court of
competent jurisdiction to determine land
titles and such other claims and contro-
versies of foreign residents as may be
properly cognizable by such court, and
tllaC ne take SUCH IuTtneT steps aS may DC
necessary to protect the rights OF this gov
ernment and its citizens in said island.
BAYARDs VIEWS.
In an interview published at Baltimore
this morning Secretary Bayard says Ger
many has given this country no casus
belli, that our flag has not been insulted
or American property destroyed, and the
whole question is shall this country assert
the independence Of Samoa by force of
arms if need be against German aggres-
sions. As this involves the question Of
peace or war, the determination of which
resides with congress, the whole subject
has been referred that body, the presi-
dent not feeling authorized to take fur
ther steps which might precipitate hestil,
| itieS