The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-16
GERMAN RULE In SAMOA
THE PRESIDENT SUSPICIOUS OF
THE TEUTON5.

Bismarck Processing Neutrality but
Apparently Acting Quite The Com
trary Congress Put IN Possession
OF all the Facts in the Case Up ~
Date-Our War Ships.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-Presdent Cleve-
land to-day transmitted to both Houses of
congress preport from the Secretary Of
State, with later correspondence since
Dec q, 1888, exhibiting the progress of
the disturbances in Samoa up to the pre-
sent date. In his message Of transmlttaI
the President says:
The information thus laid before congress is
or much Importance, since IL has relation to
the preservation of American interests and the
protection OF American citizens and their prop
erty IN distant locality and under an unsatis-
factory government, In the midst OF the dis
turbances which have arisen at Samoa such
powers have been exercised as seem to be-
within executive control under the conssitu-
ton and laws, and which appear to
accord with our ma ional policy and
condition to restore tranquility and secure the
safety Of our citizens through negotiation and
agreement with Great Britain and Germany,
whlch, with our own government constitute the
treaty powers interested In Samoan peace and
quiet.
WHAT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED.
An attempt has been made to define more
assume in the government OF
that country, while, at the same
time Its autonomy has been sisted upon.
The negotiations were at one time interrupted
by such action on the part Of the German gov
ernment as appeared to be inconsistent with
their further continuance. Germany, however,
still ass rts as from the iirst she has done, that
she has no desire intention to overturn the
native Samoan government, or TO ignore our
tire ity rights, and she still invites our
government to join her In restoring peace and
quiet But thus FAR her propositions on this
subject seem TO lead 10 such n prepon ierance
OF German power in Samoa as was never con-
templated by us. and in inconsistent with every
prior agreement or understanding; while her
recent conduct as between the native waring
factions gives rise to a suspicion that she is not
content with neutral position.
INSISTED ON sAMoA's AUTONOMY.
Acting under the restraints which our consti-
tuition and laws have placed upon the execu-
tive power. have insisted that the autonomy
and independence of Samoa should be scrupri-
lously preserved according to the treaty made o
with samoa by the powers named and other
agreements aud understandings with each other.
have protes eli against every act apparently
tending in the oppos to dir ction, and during
| the existence OF the internal disturbances. one
or more vessels OF war have been kept in Sa-
| moan waters to protect American citizens and
| property. These things will abundantly appear
| from the correspondence and papers whcn
| have be n submitted to congress. The recent
collision between the two forces from the Ger
| man man OF war stationed in Samoan waters,
and body OF natives rendered the sit :
| uation so delicate and critical that
| the Trenton under the immediate command OF
| Admiral Kimberly, was ordered 70 join the
| Gipsc, already at samoa, for the better protec-
ton of th pers ms and properly OF our citizens
| and in furtherance Of efforts TO restore order
| and safety.
| ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT.
The attention OF congress is especially called
| TO the instructions given by Admiral Kimberly
dated Jan. II. and the letter Of
| the Secretary of State to the German minister
| dated Jan. Il, which will be- found among
the papers herewith submitted. BY means
| of the papers and documents heretofore
| submitted, and those accompanying this COM
| muncation the precise situation of affairs in
| Samoa is laid before congress, and such execu-
| tive action as has been taken IL fully exhibited.
The view Of the executive In respect to the just
| TO this group OF islands, which lie in
| the direct highway Of growing and important
| commerce between Australia and the United
| States, have found expression In the correspond
ence and documents which have thus been iully
| communicated 10 congress, and the subject in
| its present stage is submit ed TO the wider dis
| cussion conferred by the constitution upon the
| legislative branch of tue government.
The accompanying correspondence re-
| ferred to by the President was not sent to
the House but accompanied copy of let
ter transmit cd to the Senate, aud has not
yet been laid before that body.