The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-01-16
THE SAMOAN TROUBLE,
Germany Evidently Bent on An
nexing the Islands.
PresidsEt Cleveland Sees the Peri,
of fAmeriean Ins-rssts-a Mes
sage 10 Congress.

" AsaGSoTos, Jaii f1-Thc presi
dent to-day transmitted to both house.
Of congress report from the secreta
r. CT state. with later correspondence
since December II, isss, exhibiting ths
progress Of the disturbances in Samoa
up to the present date. In the mes
sage the president says the information
thus laid before congress is Of much
Importance, since il has relation 10 TIT
preservation OF American Interests
and the protection OF American citi
xens and their property in distant
locality. Under an unsuitable and un.
satisfactory government. in the midst
OF the disturbances which have arisen
1T Samoa, such powers have been ex
ercised as seem to be within executive
control, under the constitution and
laws, and which appear TO accord with
onr national policy and condition, tc
restore tranquility and secure the
safety of our citizens.
Through negotiations and agree.
ulent with Great Britain and Ger.
many. which, with our own gov
erament, constitutes the treaty
powers interested in Samoan peace
and quiet, an attempt has been made
10 define more clearly the part which
those powers snail assume in the gov
ernment OF that country, while ST the
same time its autonomy has been in
sisted upon. These negotiations were
at one time interrupted by such action
o.. the part of the German government
as appeared TO be inconsistent with
their further continuance. Germany
however, stlI asserts, as from first she
has done, that she has no
desire o.. intention to overrun
the native Samoan government.
or TO ignore our treaty rights. and she
still invites our government to Join heI
in restoring peace and quiet; but thus
far her propositions on the subies.,
seem to lead to such a preponderance
of German power In Samoa as was
never contemplated by the United
States and is Inconsistent with every
prior agreement or understanding
while her recent conduct as between
the native warning factions gives rise
TO suspicion that she Is not content
with a neutral position. Acting under
the restraints which our constitution
aud laws have placed upon the exeeu
TIVE power, | have insisted that iht
ltonoiny and independence OF Sames
should be scrapalously preserved, ac
coraing to the treaty made with Sc
noa by the powers named and othel
agreements and understanding witt
each other.
The recent collision between forces
fta.x y
| in Samoan waters and a body OF ma
tives rendered the situation so delicate
and critical that the warship Trenton
| under the Immediate command O
Admiral Kimberly, was ordered u
| join the Nipsic, already ut Samoa. fol
/ the better protection of the person!
and property of our citizens and in
furtherance of efforts to restore orde
and safety. The attention of congress
is especially called to the instruction!
! given 10 Admiral Kimberly, dates
| the Iith inst, and the letter of th,
secretary of state 10 the German min
lister, dated the 18th inst, which viii
be found among the papers herewith
submitted.
By means Of the papers and docn
ments heretofore submitted and thos'
accompanying these communications
| the precise situation of affairs il
/ Samoa is laid before congress, an,
| such executive action as has beeI
taken is fully exhibited. The view o
the executive ia respect TO the frs
policy to be pursued with regard 4
this group of islands, which lies il
the direct highway of growing
and important commerce betweel
| Australia and the United States, hav
found expression in the CORES pond
ence and documents which have thu
beed fully communicated 10 congress
and the subject in its present stage
submitted to wider discretion conferre'
by the constitution upon the legis
lative branch OF the government
The accompanying correspondence re
ferred TO by the president was no
sent TO the house, but accompanie'
the copy OF the letter transmitted Z
the senate. and has not yet been iai'
! before that body.