The Washington critic., 1889-01-16
AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.
The President sends Special Message
TO Congress.

The President Sends n Special Message
TO Congress.
The President has sent to Congress the
following message relating to relations
with Samoa,
On the second day Of April, 1888, trans
mitted to the House OF Representatives, in re-
sponso to resolution passed by that body, o
report OF the Secretary Of State relating to the
condition of affairs In the Samoan Islands,
together with numerous letters, dispatches,
and documents connected with the subject,
which gave history Of all disorders In that
locality up to date.
On tho 51st dsy OF December, 1888, this In
formation was supplemented by the transmits
sion TO the Congress Of such further cores
pondence and documents as extended this
history TO that time.
now submit report from the Secretary OF
State, with later correspondence and dis
patches exhibiting the progress OF the disturb
ances In Samoa uD to the present date.
The information thus laid before the Con-
grcss Is OF much Importance, since II has rela-
tlou to the preservation OF American interests
and the protection OF American citizens and
their property In distant locality and under
an unstable and unsatisfactory government.
In the midet OF the disturbances which have
arisen at Samoa, such powers have been exer-
csed as seemed TO be within Executive con-
troll under our Constitution and laws, and
which appear to accord with our national
policy and traditions, to restore tranquility
and secure the safety Of our citizens.
Through negotiation and agreement with
Great Britain and Germany, which, with our
own Government, constitute the treaty powers
interested In Samoan peace and quiet the at
tempt has been made to define more clearly
the part which these powers should assume in
the government Of that country, while at the
Same time its autonomy has been Insisted upon.
These negotiations were at one time inter
rupted by such action on the part OF the Ger
man Government as appeared to be nconsist-
ent with their further continuance.
Germany, however, still asserts, as from tho
first she has done that she has no desire or
intention to overturn the native Samoan Gov
eminent or to ignore our treaty 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 to
such preponderance of German power in
Samoa as was never contemplated by us and
is inconsistent with every prior agreement or
understanding, while her recent conduct as
between native warning factions gives rise to
neutral position.
Acting within the restraints which our Con-
stitution and laws have placed upon executive
power, have insisted that the autonomy and
independence OF Samoa should be scrupulously
preserved according to the treaties made with
Samoa by the powers named and their agree
mepts and understanding with each other.
have protested against every act apparently
tepding in an opposite direction, aud during
the existence Of internal disturbance one
or more vessels Of war have been
kept Ia Samoan waters to protect American
citizens and property.
These things will abundantlv appear from
the correspondence and papers which have
been submitted TO the Congress.
A collision hot wv bo n
German man-of-war stationed In Samoan
waters aud body Of natives rendered the
situation SO delicate and critical that the
war ship Trenton, under the immediate
command Of Admiral Kimberly, was ordered
to join the Nipsic, already at Samoa, for the
better protection Of the persons and property
OF our citizens, and In iurtherance Of efforts to
restore order and safety.
The attention OF the Congress is especially
called to the Instructions given to Admiral
| Kimberly, dated on the 18th instant, and the
letter Of the Secretary Of State to the German
Minister, dated the 18th instant, which will
be found among the papers herewith sub
mitted.
BY means Of the papers and documents
heretofore submitted, and those which accom-
| pany this communication, the precise situation
Of affairs In Samoa Is laid before the Congress
and such executive action as has been taken Il
fully exhibited.
The views of the Executive in respect of tn,
Just policy TO be pursued with regard to thi
group Of Islands, which lie In the direct high
way Of growing and important commerce be
| tween Australia and tho United States, hav
found expression in the correspondence an'
documents which have thus been fully com
municated to the Congress, and the subject Il
its present stage Is submitted to the wider di.
.crstion conferred by the Constitution upo
| the legislative branch Of the Government
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Jan. Is, 1888.