Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-16
THE SAMOAN SITUATION
Commented on by the Presi.
dent to Congress.
GERMAN ANAGGREsSION DENOUNCED
A Vigorous Policy Adopted by the
United States = Check to
Bismarck.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
WASHINGTON, January 15.-The Presi'
dent to-day transmitted to both Houses
of Congress q report from the Secretary
of State with later correspondence since
December 21, 1888, exhibiting the
progress of the disturbances in Samoa up
to the present date. In his message the
President says the information, thus laid
before Congress is of much importance,
since it has relation to the preservation
of American interests and the protection
of American citizens and their property
in distant localities and under unsuitable
and unsatisfactory government. In the
midst of the disturbances which have
arisen at Samoa, such powers have been
exercised as seem to be within
executive control under the con-
stitution and laws, and which ap-
pear to accord with our national policy
and condition to restore tranquility and
secure the safety of our citizens through
negotiation and agreement with Great
Britain and Germany, which, with our
own government, constitute the treaty
Powers interested in Samoa's peace and
quiet. An attempt has been made to
define clearly that part which these pow.
ers shall assume in the government OF
that country, while at the same time its
autonomy has been insisted upon. These
negotiations were at one time inter-
rupted by such action on the
part of the German government as ap-
peared to be inconsistent with their
further continuance. Germany. how
ever, still asserts, as from the first she
has done, that she has no desire or in
tention to overturn the native Samoan
Government, or to ignore our treaty
rights, and she still invites our Govern
ment to join her in restoring peace and
quiet. But thus far, propositions on the
never contemplated by us, and
ance of German power in Samoa as was
subject seem to lead to such preponder-
is inconsistent with every prior
agreement or understanding, while her
recent conduct as between native war.
ring factions, gives rise to the suspicion
that she is not content with neutral
position.
Acting under the restraints which ou,
constitution and laws have placed upon
the executive power, I have insisted that
the autonomy and independence o.
Samoa should be scrupulously preserved
according to the treaty made with
Samoa by the Powers named ant
other agreements and understanding
with each other. The recent collision
between forces from a German man-of
war, stationed in Samoan waters, and {
body of the natives rendered the situa
ton 80 delicate and critical that the war
ship Trenton, under the immediate com
mand OF Admiral Kimberly, was ordered
to join the Nipsic, already at Sa
moa, for the better protection of tn
persons and property of our citizen
and in furtherance of the efforts to re
store order and safety. The attention c
Congress is especially called to the in
structions given to Admiral Kimberly
dated the 18th instant, and the letter o
the Secretary of State to the German
Minister, dated the 18th instant, whicl
will be found among the papers here
with submitted. By means o
the papers and documents here
tofore d submitted and those &C
companying this communication th'
precise situation of affairs in Samoa i
laid before Congress and such executive
action as has been taken is fully ex
hibited. The view of the Executive il
respect to the just policy to be pursued
with regard to this group of islands
which lie in the direct highway of tn
growing and important commerce be
tween Australia and the United States
have found expression in correspondence
and documents which have thus been full,
communicated to Congress and the sub
ject, in its present stage, is admitted t.
the wide discussion conferred by tn
constitution upon the legislative brancl
of the government.
The accompanying correspondence re
ferred to by the President was not sen
to the House, but accompanied cop
of the letter transmitted to the Senate
and has not been laid before that body