The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-01-25
the SAMOAN TROUBLE.

Message From the PRECEDENT % Congress
Givtng tho >tatus ~ Affairs Ia samoa
and the Attitude 81 the United states IA
Kcference 10 the Controversy with the
German Government.
WASHINGTON, Jan. i0.-rhe President
yesterday sent to Congress a message,
accompanied by a mass of documents,
giving the status OF affairs now III Samoa
and the progress Of affairs there. Tho
spondencc inclosed Is that since De-
cembcr n, ISIS. The President says;
The information thus laid be fore Congress 10
OF much Importance. since u has relation 70 the
preservation Of American interests and the
protection ~ American citizens and their
property In distant locality. and under I'M
suitable and unsatisfactory government In
the midst of the disturbances which have
arisen al samoa. such powers nave been cxer-
cised as seem 70 be within the Executive con-
troll under the Constitution and laws, which APP
pear TO accord with our national policy and
condition, TO restore tranquility and secure the
safety OF our ctizens through negotiation 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 70
define more clearly the part which these
powers shall assume in the government OF that
country. while. at the same time, its au-
thority has been insisted upon. These nego-
tiatious were al one time Interrupted by such
acton on the part OF the German Government
as appeared 70 be Inconsistent with their fur
Their continuance. Germany, however, stili in
slsts as from the first, that she has no desire or
intention TO ovcrturn the native Samoan Gov
eminent or 20 ignore our treaty rights, and sho
still invites our Government TO Join her propo.
sition on this subject. and seems to lead 10
such "A prcponderance OF German power In Sa-
moa was never contemplated by US. and -
moons stent with every prior agreement or
every understanding, while her recent conduct
as between native warning factions gives rise
70 the suspicion that she Is not content with .
neutral position.
Acting under the restraints which our Con-
sttution ana laws have placed upon the Execu-
tive power. have insisted that the autonomy
and independence Of Samoa should be scrupu-
lousy preserved according 70 the treaty made
with samoa by the Powers named. and this
Other agreements and understandings with
each other have protested against every act
apparc ntiy tend ng in the opposite direction
showing the existence OF internal disturb
anccs. One or more vessels OF war have been
kept in sam waters 10 protect American
citizens and property. These thugs Will album
dainty appear from the correspondence and
papers which have been submitted To the Con-
grcss recent collision between the forces
from German man-of-war stationed in Samoan
waters and body OF natives rendered the
situation delicate and critical that the war
ship Trenton. under thu immediate command
OF Admiral Kimberly. was ordered 10 Join the
Npsic. already at samoa, for the better pro-
lection OF person and property OF our citizens.
and in furthcrancc OF efforts TO restore order
and safety.
The attention OF Congress Is especially called
10 the instructions gwen 70 Admiral Kimberly.
dated on the 18th instant. and the letter OF tho
Secretary OF state 10 the German Minister.
dated the 18TH instant. which will be found
among the p pcrs herewith submitted. By
means 81 The papers and documents herctoiore
submitted ana those accompanying this com
mun.cation. the precise situation Of an airs IN
Samoa t. laid before Congress. and such Ex-
ecufvc action rs has been taken Is fully cxhib-
tied IN. views Of the Executive ia respect 70
the Just policy 10 be pursued with regard 70 this
group ~ islands which lie 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
municaicd 10 Congress. and the subject. in rs
present state. is submitted 10 the wiser discus
sion conferred by the Constitution upon the
legislative branch OF the Government.
The correspondence alluded - by tho
President was not laid before the House
or Senate.