The Springdale news., 1889-01-18
THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.

Message From the President to Congress
 Giving the status Of Affairs In Samoa
 and the Attitude Of the United states in
 Reference to the Controversy with the
 German Government.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The President yesterday sent to Congress message, accompanied by mass Of documents, giving the status of affairs now iH Samoa and the progress of affairs there. The correspondence inclosed is that since De- cember 2l, 1888. The President says:
 Tine information thus laid De fore Congress is of much importance. since II has relation to the preservation Of American interests and the protection ot American citizens and their property in distant locality and under un- suitable and unsatisfactory government. In the midst of the disturbances which have arisen aL Samoa, such powers have been exer- eised as seem to be within the Executive con trol under the Constitution and laws, which ap- pear to accord with our national policy and condition, to restore tranquility and secure the safety of our citizens through negot.atio and agreement With Great Britain and Germany, which with our own Government constitute the treaty powers interested in Samoan peace and quiet The attempt has been made 10 define more clearly the part which these powers shall assume in the government of that country, while, al the same time, its aa- thority has been insisted upon. These nego- tthttthS Ntlt hb one tiiHt iHLtffdptt0 tN h0Gh action on the part Of the German Government IS appeared to be inconsistent with their fur ther continuance. Germany. however. still iu- ssts, us from the first that she has no desire or intention to oyerturn the native Samoan Gov ernment or to ignore our treaty rights, and she still invites our Government 10 join her propo- sition on thls subject, and seems 10 lead to such preponderance of German power in Sa- moa as was never contemplated by us, and IS inconsistent with every prior agreement or every understanding. while her recent conduct IS between native warning factions gives rise to the suspicion that she is not content with a neutral position
 Acting under the restraints which our Con sutution and laws have placed upon the Exeeu- tive power | have insisted that the autonomy and independence Of Samoa should be serupu- IouslY preserved according To the treaty made with Samoa by the Powers named, and the othes agreements and understandings with each other have protested aga nst every act apparently tending in the opposite direction showing the existence of internal disturb ances. One or more vessels Of war have been kept in Samoan waters 10 protect American citizens and property These things will aoun- dantly appear from the correspondence and papers which have been submitted to the Con gress. A recent collision between the forces from German man-of.war stationed in Samoan waters and a 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 Npsic, already at samoa. for the better pro- teotion Of person and property of our eitlzens, and in furtheranee Of efforts to restore order and safety
 The attention of Congress is especially called te the instructions gwen to Admiral Kimberly, dated on the lith instant, and tae letter Of the Secretary Of State 10 the German Minister, dated tho i2th instant which wit be found among the papers herewith submitted. By means of the papers and documents heretofore submitted. and those accompanying thts com maaieation, the pree se situation ef affairs in Samoa is laid before Congress, and such Ex- ecutlve action as has been taken is fully exhib- lteh The vlews Of the Executive in respect 10 the just policy to be pursued with regard to this group of islands which Ire in the direct high way of the growing and important commerce between Australia and the United States have found expression in the correspondence and documents which have thus been fully com muuicated to Congress. aud the subject, in its present state Is submitted To the wiser discus sion conferred bg the Constitution apoa the legislative branch of the Government
 The correspondence alluded to by the President was not laid before the House sY Gabata