New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-25
OUR INTEREST IN SAMOA.
WHY THE NATIVE CAUSE DESERVES SUP
PORT.
AM An1E AND EXHAUSTIVE REVIEW OF THE
SAMOAN QUESTION BY COMMISSIONERS
BATES, WHO VISITED THE ISLANDS
IN pruI1F OF Mr.. BAYARD.
IN BEHALF OF MB. BAYARD'

IN BEHALF OF DIR. BAYARD.
wilmington. Del. Jan. oo-Among the few men In
fha limited States who have knowledge OF samoan
affairs derived from personal acquaintance WIN
the reonle of this South Pacific group ana Close
Investigation of their treaty rlstions, IS Seofse
n Bates the Commissioner sent out 10 samoa oS
Mr. Bayard specially charged with the DUTY Oh IN
forming the Department Of state conoofhins .ne
matter IN all its beadngs. Mr. Bates visited INC
,sIands in 1886, and returning, made long ana
c.rcful report IN which he reviewed the whoie
samoan question, commenting severely on mo con
duct Of Germany and advising such acaon oy inc
limited States as would insure native autonomy anu
preserve our National interests MT ba'ea
lawyer of this city, one of the foremost men AZ u0
Newcastle County bar He Is DcmocraN tne son
OF the late Chancellor. He is an Intimate n'euu
~ Secretary Bayard and strong supporter OF inc
Adron,stration though upon the Samoan question
he has nresexed an attitude Of critical independence
snce the Government has failed TO act IN pF@eue~i
s,rnport of the position II assumed on ms reooni-
ncndaton
TIRE MONROE DOCTRINE AND SAMOA
called on Dir. Bates al his residence IN DeiaNaro
ave. and asked him If he was willing TO tel lno
mblic through The Tribune how the present crisis
arose and what in his judgment should DO done about
n He reulied very courtcously that feeling As ne
aid the great importance OF the Samoan eoh'ro'eIs5
he was glad 10 contribute all tho knoWle0so no n"u
obtained whenever II called for Il haNo rean
Tho Trflune's editorials on the Samoan question: DO
said with Some apprehension IL has seemed 70
bs unmndfnl Of the extent and true scope OF ths
Monroe Doctrine and somewhat inolned 20 doubt the
value OF these Islands TO In National sonse Inc
American interest IN Samoa is not confined 10 the
duty of defending the lives and property OF inciVd-
uals though / far from belitfling this du'y.
hold that the protection which Americans in Foreign
countries are justified expecting from their country
- al In porff0
nor to the value Of their property, but above ana Do
yond the obligation to protect the rights OF our
people in Samoa. have great National interest
in protecting neutrality and independence OF The
few remaining groups In the Pacific which have es-
caped European greed, The Monroe Doctrine Is not
confined TO the American continent Tho oonsruc-
ton given 10 Monroc's Message by long and un'
broken line Of American Secretaries OF State IL tat
Il apperalns 10 the entire Western Hemisphere and
is in substance declaration that tho American GOV
erument will not permit extension OF the EURO
pcan systems within this hemisphere when incon-
sstent with our peace and safety. as 10 which posi-
bllty we are tho sole judges 1t is in Difference to
this American sentiment that have refused re-
peatedly to permit any change IN the status OF Cuba
and other West Indian islands, and Of Hawaii. Samoa
is within these geographical limits and sustains an
important relation continent IL is high time
the present generation educated in proper Ma
tonal spirit TO understand that VIC have nationality
worth asserting"
THE SAMOAN QUESTION DEFINED.
"what is the Samoan question:"
"Lct begin" said Mr.. Bates. with little his
tory without which your readers cannot properly ap
preciate the present condition OF Samoan affairs. our
relation 10 them or interest in maintaining native
autonomy there. There arc two distinct stages OF
the qcestlon, and the year 1884 divides them
Prior TO that year the three treaty Powers, tho United
States Germany and England. were in substantial
accord. The Samoan group opened TO navigation
| by the Wilkes expedition wo have been represented
by consular agents there since about 1850. The
people are sturdy, warlike. remarkably Intelligent
entorprising, eloquent continent and honest They
are copperhued. The handsome and the
women often very beautiful Their social and pol-
| zeal systom is a peculiar mixture founded partly
popuIar rights and partly hereditary authority.
There are multitude Of chiefs. the grades between
| them being, however, clearly defined and strongly
marked Great respect is paid 10 rank Tho two
chief families in the group tho Malicious and tbs
| Tupuas Tradition says the Tupuas are younger
branch Of the Malietoas, the Orleans family Of
France Is the younger branch Of the ancient Bourbon
dynasty Tho greatest Maletoa OF all lived many
| years ago. and his memory Is inspiration to tho
/ people He led them in long series Of brilliant
| wars, ending in the subjugetion Of their ancient
enernies the TonRas. Maletoa has for tho samoans
| the Romans. AS each Roman Emperor whether
| Augustus Nero or what, Caesar, so each head
Of the family founded by the conQueror savea IS called
| Malietoa
| AN AMERICAN PREMIER
@Moh. the father OF the Malietoa whom tho Gov
eminent kidnapped, died nearly thirty years ago HIS
sons name Is Laupepa, the present rehtfu sovereign.
| But when Moli died. his half-brother. Taavou.
tested the throne with Laupepa. and long series Of
wars ensued which the Tupuan chiefs did their utmost
to fomant In the hope OF establishing their family in
power At this time tho foreign influence chiefly
exercised by missionaries who supported the young
man Laupspa Their intervention resulted In COM
promise. by which the uncle became King and the
nephew Vioe-King with the right Of succession. TO
this arrangement the Tupuans gave unwilling con-
| sent
1The United States was represented In Samoa a.
this time. 1875. by Colonel A. b. seinberger. Of
| much ability. he had been there some years. had
acquired great influence over the natives. had re-