The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-30
PEACE OR WAR?
0hiO's Senator Tells in Open Session
How the Samoan Difficulty Can
Be Settled.
MUST TAKE POSSESSION.
No Great Danger OF War. But the
President Must be Permitted TO
Take and Improve Samoan
Harbors.


consular appropriation bill, the question
being ON Gibson's amendment 10 make the
title OF ministers 10 France, Germany,
Great Britain aud Russia, ambassadors. =.
After a long discussion Gibson's amend
ment was agreed 10. The amendment in
relation to Samoa having been reached, the
senate went into executive session. When
the doors reopened Sherman said he would
like 20 state publicly the position he took
on the Samoan question, so that It might
appear In the records. He then gave
comprehensive review OF events In the
Samoan Islands from the time when the at.
tentlon OF the United States was first
called TO them by the various conferences
treaties, etc. lie referred 10 the treaty of
1855 between Germany and Great Britain,
by which sort of delimltAtlOn was estAb-
lishod for the Jurisdiction Of each govern
ment In the Polynedian group, with dis
claimer that this partition should not mp
ply 10 the Samoan Islands. That was the
legal status OF to-day. He spoke OF the
contentious which had always existed be-
tween the various chiefs ON the islands
down TO the time when, by the aid OF the
consuls, IL was settled that Malietoa should
be king and Tamasese vice-king. Soon
after that settlement other difficulties had
arisen, and movement made 10 annex the
Samoan Islands 10 New Zealand. MalieiOa
sending an humble appeal TO Queen Vie
toria asking for such annexation. The Ger
man government, however, demonstrated
in the most vigorous manner against IL, in
ssting it would be a violation OF the treaty.
Finally sherman brought the history Of
events 10 the conference In Washington
between Bayard and the British and Ger
man ministers, and 10 the sending by each
OF them Of agents 10 the islands to obtain
further information. He said II was mani
fest the rebellion of Tamasese had been or
ganized by the German consul and by
German named Weber, who was the head
OF large commercial house. He men.
toned the arrival OF the German fleet az
the islands some time In May, 1885, and
spoke OF the insulting letter Of the vice ad-
miral 10 Malietoa, In which he addressed
him. not as king. but as head chief,
IL was after these insults 10 the king that
United States Consul Greenbaum raised
the United States tag at the request Of
Manistoa on the public buildings In Apia.
The practical effect of that action, unau-
thorized MS IL was, had been 10 check the
actions OF the German local authorities
After the German fleet had sailed away the
German and American consuls had again
Joined Ia declaration that Tamasese was
never recognized by either OF them as king
and that Malietoa was king. This act had
been wholly without authority, and Green
baum's part in II had very properly been
disavONed by the American government
lie had no more right TO assert a pro-
tectorate over the Islands than the German
OF English consul had. IL was whilst
the agents of the three cOnferees (Bayard,
and the English ana German ministers)
were engaged In obtaining information
that the German government had depOsed
MalietOa and set up Iamasese. These
were the worst features Of the case, be-
cause at that very time negotiations were
going on on a sound. Just and honest basis
for the restoration of the statu quo. There
were Indications, he thought, that the Eng
lish government was coinciding with the
German policy. He was not stating this
fact for the purpose of saying who was
wrong, or who was right, or whether Ger
many was justified IN the course which she
pursued. lie could not say, however, he
found In the papers any Justification for
Germany. Prince Bismarck, whose strong,
imperial will was shown In all OF his COM
munlcations, asserted the equal rights Of
Of each Of these governments, but insisted
as matter OF policy that II would be- bet
ter 10 place the custody Of the Islands un-
der the control Of the powers, and as Ger
maLy had the largest property interests
there, that II would be best 10 place them
under German control and power That
as to the new spaper correspondent, Klein,
who had been playing knight errant there,
the government of the United States was
In no way responsible for him The state
ment Of the man himself although some
what yalnglOrious in style, shows he had
nothing 10 do with the attack on the Ger
man sailors. Summing up his long speech
Sherman said the first thing ~ be
done was for the United States
t0 assert It's power In the occupancy and
possession OF the bay 0f Pag0 Pago. That
ought 10 be done immediately. II did not
need war to protect nations rights. The
mere assertion OF those rights, due regard
for them, the expenditure OF money there
the storing Of coal there, the calling OF ves-
sells there. all those things were assertions
OF power far more influential than pr0to-
coils and diplomatic correspondence.
George.-The amendments do not men
ace war do they?
Sherman.-I do not think II necessary
20 menace anyone. believe straight
forward, manly negotiation should be en-
tered into between these great powers. IL
would be great shame and disgrace 10
our civilization and christianity II we
could not agree upon some
mode OF government for those Islands.
Whatever the newspapers may say, there
Is nothing In the situation that would justi-
fy on the part Of either nation the disturb
Ance OF peace until every effort Is exhaust
ed 20 bring about quiet and peaceful set
tlement OF the controversy. First we want
TO assert and maintain our rights 10 sta
tiOn at Pago PaR". and nobody will call that
right In question. Next We ought 10 do
what we promise 20 d0-employ our good
offices 10 settle the difficulties Of these peo-
pie, Therefore am willing 10 vote any
sum Of money 10 enable the president 10
conduct negotiations, W make surveys Of
haTbOrs and TO get better information In re-
latiDn 10 those Islands. 4 am willing 10
vot'. the sum named In the amendment,
$500 900. and 10 place Il at the discretion OF
Mr.. Cleveland OF Mr.. Harrison, aud have
no doubt the power thus given 10 send
agents there and 10 send ships there will
bring about solution Of this small cOntrO-
versy.
Dolph then obtained the fIoor and the
senate adjourned.
THE HOUSE.
Burrows, Michigan. presented a petition
OF 1900 citizens OF Utah against the ad'
mission OF that territory as a state. The
house then went into committee Of the
whole on the sundry civil appropriation
bill.
ON a point raised by Grain the clause
was stricken out extending the act Of IN
appropriatlng SlS00OO 10 enable tie secre
tary of war 10 acquire valid title 10 f0r'
Brown military reservation. Enloe. Ten
nessee, offered an amendment authorizing
the secret service Of the treasury depart
ment 10 be used In detecting pretended
dealers In counterfeit money; agreed 10
| The committee then rose and the bill
passed.