The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-02-15
TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS

into the condition of affairs in tho Samoan
islands and to report. ut an early day, what
measures are necessary and proper to pro-
tect tho intereats of American citizens
| therein. and to discharge any obligations of
the United States to the people of those
islands in the maintenance of their
own local government from the
interference of any foreign power,
and to secure the just rights and interests OF
the United States in the future control of Il, {,
government of those islands. The news of
the recent action of the German forces ut
Samoa has given rise to quite o commotion
among members Of the house of reprcsen-
tatives, and much Indignation is felt in tho
announcement that tho Germans intend TO
search vessels arriving ut Samoa Repre-
sentative Thomas of Illinois, who is u par
ticular active and influential member OF the
committee on naval uffaiis, has prepared the
following resolution. which will DO presented
TO the house ut the first opportunity:
Whereas, From reports transmitted to con.
gress by the president OF the United States, and
from current newspaper accounts, tho rights of
american citizens appear To havo been grossly
| invaded. and tho commercial interests OF the
United States jeopardized. by the action of the
German government, through its naval forces
IN the Samoan islands; mud
Whereas. Late newspaper dispatches show
ouaO stops Ilhfe uetN taken LOOKING To the QCs
QUESTION Of the Samoan islands by tho German
government, in violation OF the rights and In
tegrtty OF the government with which the gov
erninent Of the United States holds treaty and
commercial relations. and in violation OF tho
treaty rights of the United States. Therefore,
belt
scntatiyes OF the United States In congress- as.
scnbled. That tho president is hereby author
lied and directed to take such steps, forcibiy IL
deemed cxpedient, Is are necessary and proper
to project and maintain the honoss dis.isy aud
interests Of the flag and government OF the
United States and its citizens, wherever dis
persed, against the acts Of the emperor OF Ger
many or his forces
Mr.. Thomas is OF the opinion that his reso-
luton is preferable to certain others on tho
saine subject already introduced, Tor the
reason that 1t proposes something definite,
and clothes the president with authority
| which he believes to be wanting. He, as
well as other members of the naval commit
tee, resents the assumption of tho q German
government Of the right to search American
vessels. They recall the fact that Just such
un assumption by Great Britain led up to the
war of 1872 (nfter which the doctrine of tho
right Of search was pretty thoroughly ex-
p!oded by the position of the United States
government), and tha. from the exercise of
stmtar authority our own government was
FORCED TO RETREAT
In the case of tho steamer Trent, when one
of our naval vessels stopped tho British ves-
sci and took off the Confederate commission
ers. The announcement that tho German
government has ordered a military attache
to the German legation ut Washington to
take notes Of American milltrry affairs is
not regarded with any concern by
state department officials, inasmuch as
that legation mas always been provided
with an officer Of that character and be-
cause no special significance can bc attached
to q mere change III personnel. Most Of the
foreign legations are provided with military
attaches, and the United States has naval at
taches ut its Legations in London. Berlin and
Paris Senator Frye of Maine said this even
ing that to-iays developments in the Sa-
moan matter has not, in his opinion, changed
the situation in any important particular.
Germany, he said. may have abandoned tenn
perarily
THEIR RASH METHODS,
but they have not In the least changed their
purpose, but. on the contrary. they will 60
straight forward to the completion of that
purpose, unless come action Is taken by this
government to prevent it The Germans,
SAID the senator. made up their minds long
and they will not change their policy in this
respect as long as the United States govern
ment offers no objection If congress should
instruct the president to make b demand
upon Germany for a restoration or the status
quo that demand, he said, would undoubt-
edly be complied with. She cannot
afford to ignore 1t. for if COM
mercal intercourse between the two
countries should be Interrupted Germany
would lose more In week than the posses
sion Of Samoa could repay In thousand
years The president sent to tho senate to-
day an account OF an interview had this
morning between Secretary Bayard and tho
German minister, In which the secretary
was informed that the proclamation of mar
tial law in Samoa had been withdrawn by
the German government as far as 1t relates
TO foreigners, and the demand that the ad-
ministration OF the island pc turned over to
the German consul had been also withdrawn
that the neutrality of the islanIs might be
preserved. 1t Is rumored tonight that the
department of state is very much dissatisfied
with the recent public utterances OF Consul
General Sewall in regard to the Samoan dif-
tcul'y, and Will show its disp!easure By re-
questing his resignation.