Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-02-02
THE GERMANS IN SAMOA
Vessels Notified and Searched
For Articles Contraband OF
War.
Mataafa Entrenched With Six ThOu.
sand Men-The Senate Discusses
the Matter,
Dolph Relates History and Reagan Gets
Eloquent in Demanding Protection
For Samoans.


AUCKLAND. N. a., Feb. 1.-Advices from
Samoa state that the Germans have de.
clared war against Mataafa and have
given notice that all vessels arriving there
will be searched for articles contraband Of
war. They have suppressed the Samoan
Times. A passenger on the Brit
ish steamer, Walnut, who visited
Mataafa's camp, was placed under ar.
rest, but was subsequently, released in
compliance of the demand of the English
Consul. A proclamation has been issued
placing the Apian police force under Ger
man control. Mataafa's blowers number
5000. They are strongly entrenched, and
other Samoans are rapidly joining them.
Upon the arrival of the steamer Rich
mond she was boarded and searched by
the Germans.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. LIN resuming de-
bate on the Diplomatic and Consular APP
preparation bills-the question being on
the amendments affecting the Samoan
islands-Mr. Dolph said in the Senate that
the question was one of special and local
interest to the people of the Pacific coast
He reviewed the history of affairs since
the United States Government first took
interest in the Samoan islands and recent
occurrences which he said had involved
the United States in some controversy
with the German Government. He spoke
of Colonel Steinberger's mission to the
islands as United States Consular agent
and Of the petition which he brought to
the United States signed by the pr ncipal
chief-Malietoa, a predecessor OF the late
King-among others asking for an.
nexation and showing their belief
that the United States Government had ex-
tended protectorate over them. Stein
berger, he said, had been sent back with
presents from the United States Govern
ment and with letter from President
Grant expressing the most lively interest
in the people of these islands and q hope
that their Independent auton omy would be
preserved. Steinberger had soon after
ward left the service of the United States
Government and became Premier of King
Malietoa's Government this being the
first stable Government established there,
and this autonomous Tor rather individually
Cover nment of Steinberger continued un-
til February, 1878, when he was arrested
by the officers and men of British man-of
war, deposed, taken to one of the Fiji
islands and there released. He spoke of
the treaty or convention of 1884 between
Samoa and Germ any as one which, il 1t
had been signed, would have substantially
secured to the Germ Government the
entire control of the islands.
In the course OF his r-view Mr.. Dolph
came to the point that United States Con-
sui Greenbaum had raised the American
flag over the Samoan flag in the harbor of
Apia-an act which had been, he said,
promptly repudiated by Mr.. Bayard and
the reputation notified the German and
English Governments with the suggestion
as to protectorate.
Mr.. Reagan referred to the documents
that have been published on the subject,
and declared that no American citizen
could read the correspondence without
feeling humiliation to see the rights of the
United States brutally ovorridden and
trodden down by German su halterns while
the German Prime Minister was profess
ing friendship and desire to maintain
proper relations with the Government of
the United States. His purpose was, he
said, to call attention to the fact that the
proposed amendment was too feeble to an
swer the purpose. 1t was too feeble to
vindicate the rights of the American peo-
pie in the matter. He had been sorry to
hear the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Sherman)
say that his proposition was limited 10 the
extension of the good offices of the United
States. ''Good Offices" Mr.. Reagan ex-
claimed, ''to people already conquered
and subjugated by Germany! And we
propose now to appropriate $500, 900 for
that purpose. II we mean any thing
let us signify it by our action.
If we believe that we have rights
as becomes q great and powerful ma
ton, we should not be pretending to
apologize for the fact that we have assured
relations to Samoa. Ii Congress was pos
sessed of Bismarck's force of will the
trouble would be quickly settled-and
without war. But il we hesitate, il we
vacillate, if we show that we have rights
but will not vindicate them, we will GER
tainly lose what rights we have in
Samoa. I am not in favor of war. I
know too well the calamities of war. But
the humiliation of q great nation in the
face of an arrogant power is worse than
war. would give the President power to
determine what our rights in the matter
are, and the power to assert those rights
in q way that could not be mistaken. II
we do this we may expect to maintain our
rights and to see the restoration of the
status quo. would suggest the addition
to the pending amendment of the words,
s,and for the protection of the rights OF
American citizens residing in said islands,
and to preserve the neutrality and indie
pendence of the people, Then we will
have said something. But if we do not
put in some such declaration, We leave the
President exactly where he is now-in
position where he regards himself as
powerless to vindicats the rights of the
United States"
VIII Face tho Situation.
PARIS, Feb. I'M. Fioquet in receiving
the bureau of the Extreme Left, said he
had considered the advisabiIity Of resign.
ing, but had abandoned the idea, deciding
to face the situation. He would ask the
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