Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-01

SENATOR SHERMAN STATES THE
FACTS IN NACLEAR MANNER.
Correspondence Between Bayard and
Bisnarck-Democratic senators Hold
Il Caucus-They Want Appointments
Confirmed-Other Capital Gossip.

NODHrhtu-oihtG Ndpitai OOSSlps
WASHINGTON, Jan 29.-In the Senate in
the discussion of the consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill, the pending question be
ing Mr. Gibson's amendment changing the
title from minister plenipotentiary' to
"ambassador," " Mr.. Morrill, expressed the
opinion that whether the title of the ministers
We're changed or not the appropriations for
several ought to increased by an amount
sufficient to pay the rental of the houses
they occupied. He knew instances i'll which
the American ministsr to London paid SO,
600 a year for house which in Washington
would not cost more than $4,000 or $4,000 or
$1,000 The English government lie said
paid its minister to the United States S25,
600 a year and furnished him in addition
with a magnificent house. Mr.. Gibson's
amendment was agreed to-26 to 24
Amendments in relation to Samoa having
been reached on motion of Mr.. Hale the
Senate went into executive session.
When the doors were reopened Mr.. Sher-
man said he would like TO state publicly his
position on the Samoan question so it might
appear in the record. He then described
the location and Importance of the Samoan
islands which comprised 1000 square miles,
had 324 900 Polynesians and about 300 for
eigners. The islands had been first explored
by Admiral Wilkes. Our attention had
been early called to them and an agent was
sent there who afterwards became minister
and made treaty between us and Samoa in
1875 which gave us the privilege OF using
the harbor of Pago-Pago and establishing
there u coaling station. In case of differ
ences with other nations the United States
agreed to employ its good offices in adjust
ing them.
Somewhat similar treaties were later made
with Germany and Great Britain. Later
arrangements were made all four nations
being parties thereto by which Apia was
constituted q municipality and declared
neutral territory. This territory was now
known as the capital of Samoa set aside for
commercial purposes the Samoan govern
ment being practically excluded from it.
The municipal board consisted of German.
English and American consuls BY the
treaty of April 6. 1856, between Germany
and Great Britain sort of delimitation
was established for the jurisdiction of each
government in the Polynesian group with
disclaimer that this partition should not ap-
ply to the Samoan islands. That was the
legal status to-day.
There was always sort of civil war in
Samoa until in 1883 by the aid of consus it
was settled by the agreement that MaietOa
should be king and IamascSe vice king. In
1884 the German consul made treaty with
Maletoa making Germany supreme in the
islands. England and the United States re
used acquicscence and Germany repudiated
the treaty.
II was evident the present rebellion had
been organized by the German consul and a
German named Weber at the head of a large
commercial house. A German fleet arrived
at the islands in 1856 and the vice admiral
Mt IN, To- 70, Moi A.,
this United States Consul Greenbaum raised
the United States flag at the request OF
AlalietOa over the public building, in Apa
For Il time this checked the action of the
German local authorities. Later the Eng
lish, German and American consuls again
Joined in declaration that MaIictol was
king. Consul Greenbamns 5 part IN this act
was diaayowed by our government.
While the agents OF the English, German
and American governments were invcsti-
eating the situation the German govern
ment opposed Malietoa and set up Tamasese
i'll spite of the fact negotiations
were making tor the restoration
of the statu quo. There We're indications the
English government was coincidng with the
German policy. Bismarck asserted the
equal rights of each of the three COVER
mems, but insisted it would be better to place
the custody of the islands under one power.
and as Germany had the largest property
interests there, it would be best to place it
under German control. That was now the
point III controversy.
The action of the German government
was in the nature OF diScourtesy, but he
did not care to discuss the conduct of the
German government. Diplomatic forms
had been observed, but the substance
had not been there. The United
in J., l.,
for Klein, The first thing to he done was
for the United States to assert its power ON
the occupancy and possession of the bay of
PagO-Pago. That ought to be done immed-
lately Ii is not necessary to menace any
one, a straightforward and manly negoti-
alton should be entered into between these
three gre Il powers Ii would be a shame
and disgrace to our civilization and Chris
tianity if we should not agree upon some
mode of government for those islands First
we want to assert and maintain our right 10
the station at Pago- Pago. Next We ought
to keep our promise to employ our good
offices to settle the difficulties Of the people
] am willing to vote any sum of money to
enable the president to conduct negotiations,
make surveys Of the harbors and get better
information IN relation to those islands.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30-The president to.
day sent TO Congress additional correspon-
dence relative to the Samoan affairs. also
the full text Of the inst uctions from Bis
Inarck TO the German minister. communi
Gated on the goth inst, which appears to be
the ampliflcation of prior telegraphic in
struction. The president also informs Con
gress that on Monday the 2Sth inst, the
secretary Of state was given to understand
by the German minister that a proposition
from his government to this for confer
ence on the Samoan subject was on the way
by mail, having left Berlin on the goth
inst
Bismarcl's letter TO Count Arco complains
that armed Samoans Of Mataafa' IS party un-
der the leadership of an American named
Klein attacked the German protective force,
more than 80 German soldiers and officers
being killed and wounded. ''We shall carry
on the contest forced upon as by Mataata
and his followers with the utmost consdera-
ton for English and American interests.
Our military measures have in view only