Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-01-30
SAMOA,
An Explanation of the GOmpli-
Gated Situation.
SHERMAN SPEAKS IN The SENATE.
The Right and Duties Of the United States in
the Premises Hold the HarbOr
Of PagO-PagO
SHERMAN SPEAKS IN THE SENATE.
NO NECESSITY FOR HOSTILITIES.
A Long Speech From Mr.. Sherman---Mr
Morrow Introduces Resolution on the
Subject---NewS From the
Seat Of War.

WASHINGTON, d. c., January 90
When the doors were reopened, after the
executive session in the Senate to-day, Mr..
Sherman ssid he would like to state pub.
licly the position which he took in regard
to the Samoan question, so that it might
appear in the Record.
After describing the location, popula-
ton, etc, of the Samoan islands, Mr..
Sherman said: The attention of the United
States had been early called to those
islands, and special agent was sent there,
who afterwards became Minister to
the King of Samoa and who made q
treaty between the United States and
Samoa. That the treaty was made in 1873
and was signed by Mr.. Evarts and the
King. It's second article gave to the United
States the privilege of entering and using
the harbor of PagO-Pago and establishing
there a coal ana naval supply siat:on; and
its fitch section provided that, in case of
difference with other nations, the Govern
ment of the United States would employ |
its good offices in adjusting the differences
This, Mr. Sherman said, was the basis Of
the right CT the United States to occupy
and hold, and to establish in the
harbOr Of Psgo-Psgo, a station for coal and
other naval supplies. Within year or
two afterwards somewhat similar treaties
had been made with Germsoy and with
Great Britain, by which those governments
obtained like privileges in other portions
of the islands So that, Mr. Sherman
said, each of these three great commercial
nations secured by treaties, following eIch
other rapidly, privileges somewhat similar
in character, but in different localities
each securing COaling station and harbOr.
Mr.. Sherman went on TO speak OF q fur
ther arrangement made shortly afterwards
and which was, he said, very important
IL had been entered into between Great
Britain aud the government OF Samoa, but
the German aad American governments
were also inCludtd IN il, by which the
own and district of Apia were constituted
into municipality ard were declared to
three nations might establish their store
houses, their workshops and all other
buildings necessary for carrying on their
traffic in these islands. This territory Of
Apia was now known Us
THE CAPITAL OF THE SAMOAN ISLANDS
and was act aside for commercial puposes,
the government of Samoa being practically
excluded from it. Tne municipal beard
consiated of the German, English aud
American Consuls This treaty or sgres
ment had rot been submitted TO the Sen
nte, but had been signed by the English
Consul and by the captain of the American
ship of war Lacksws1na II had been acted
upon by all three nations as in the nature
of agreement for the pcss ession and occu-
oancy of that neutral territory.
Finally, Mr.. Sherman brought the his
tory of events to the conference ut Wash.
ington between Mr. Bsyaid and the Brit
ish aud German Ministers, and TO the
sending by each of them of an agent TO the
islands to obtain further Information. He
said that it was manifest that the rebellion
of Tamasese had been organized by the
German Oonsnl and by German named
Weber. who Yves at the head of large
commercial house. He mentioned tie sr-
rival of a German fleet at the islands some
time in May, 1856, and spoke of an insult
ing letter from the Vice Admiral 70 Msie-
toa, in which he addressed him not as King
but as head chief.
1t was after these