The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-24
Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to Be Placed at
the Disposal of the President for the Pro-
lection of American Interests.
An Irish Witness Swears that the Noon
lighters We're Directed by the League.
Joseph Chamberlain Addresses Birmingham
Meeting, and Talks of the Good Relations
of England and the United States.


ACTION AS TO SAMOA.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Makes Some Business-Lil1e Suggestions.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Frye
made it quite lively at the meeting of the
Senate committee on foreign affairs this
morning. The Senator is out of patience
with Secretary Bayard's 'wishy-washy"
policy, and believes that Congress should
do something to redeem the reputation of
the United States abroad. He believes it
would be proper, just at this time, for the
Senate to pass resolution directing the
President to demand of Bismarck that the
condition of affairs in Samoa shall be re-
stored exactly as it was when the treaty
between England, Germany and the
United States was signed: That the
Germans shall restore the King to
his throne and repair the damage that
has been done by their soldiers, and by the
rebels that have been operating with their
encouragement and protection, and, if Ger
many shall decline to do this, Mr.. Eyre
would have sufficient number of men-of-
war sent there, and troops from the United
States, to see that it is done. But the re-
mainder of the committee were not quite
SO radical in their views as Mr.. Frye, and
held him back. He secured, however, the
adoption of resolution amending the con-
sular and diplomatic appropriation bill so
as to provide 100000 for the
establishment of naval rem
devious and coaling station in the
Samoan islands, and $500, 900, to be used at
the discretion of the President, in protect
ing the rights and property of American
citizens In Samoa and in carrying out our
island, which require the United States to
protect him in the exercise of his authority.
This is to be au emergency fund, to be
available Immediately, and to be used at
the discretion of the President. He can
use it to transport troops to the island or to
equip men-of-war, or to do anything else
that, in his Judgment, is necessary to de-
fend the dignity and protect the interest OF
the United States.
Action of the Foreign-Relations Committee.
To the Western Associated Press:
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Sherman,
this morning, from the committee on for
eign relations, reported the following
amendments to the diplomatic and consul'~
appropriation bill designed to protect tie
interests of the United States in Samoa:
protection of the interests Of the United States
existing under the treaty between the United
States and the egoyernmento OF the Samoan islands,
100000, or so much thereof as may be neces-
sary to be expended under the direction of the
President, this appropriation to be Immediately
For the survey Improvement and occupation
of the bay and harbOr of PagopagO, in the island
of Tutuila, Samoa, and for the construction OF
cupation. and for a coaling station therein, I'M
der the direction Of the President, 100000.
This appropriation to be Immediately available.
Senator Sherman made no statement of
the views of the committee upon the pro-
posed amendments at the time they were
offered, but it is learned that the commit
tee were of the opinion that, under the
terms Of the treaty with Samoa, it is the
duty of the United States to intervene, by
force, if necessary, to protect the autonomy,
of the islands against the aggressions of
any power. The treaty was made by Secre-
tary of State Evarts and Mr.. LIE Mamea,
and declared in force Feb. IL, 1873 Article
reads:
#, unhapgily; any differences should have
Samoan government and any other government
in amity with the United States, the government
of the latter will employ its good offices for the
purpose Of adjusting those differences upon a
satisfactory and solid foundation.
"Then the amendments to the consular
bill mean that the President is to send q
fleet of war ships or any other force he
may deem necessary, to protect the Samoan
government and to relieve the people from
the danger of wari" was asked one of the
members of the committee.
THAT is exactly what they mean," was
the answer.
1t is understood that the committee were
unanimous in support of the amendments.
Secretary Whitney has written q letter
to the chairman of the House naval COM
mittee asking that the department may be
authorized to purchase the necessary land
for coaling station in the harbor of PagO-
pago, Samoa, and to erect wharf there,
build lighter, etc. He suggested an ap-
preparation of $1,000 for the purpose
The Secretary of State to-day received q
cablegram from acting Consul Blackjack at
Apia, Samoa. by way of Auckland, saying
that large fire recently occurred on the
island and that the German consulate was
among the buildings destroyed. He adds
that the fire was undoubtedly accidental.
No other details are given.
The correspondent Of the New York Post
to-day sent the following to that paper:
ttr Sewall, consul general to Samoa, in COM
menting upon the action of the Senate committee
on foreign affairs, In recommending an appro-
priation for use in connection with the Samoan
difficulty, says that the action indicates the SEN
ate IS disposed TO encourage the administration
in firm attitude as TO Samoa, and that it also
indicates what the policy of the incoming admin
istration will be. As to the coal station at Pag-
opago. Mr.. sewall says that the United States. by
treaty has the right to establish such station,
but he does not think that it can be an exclusive
right. Other nations may claim the same priv
| ileges, but have not yet secured them. The har-
bor, lie says, Is the best in the world. 1t appears
that all our government has done as to the coal.
ing station, under rights secured long ago, is to
| build OF buy pier there. No sheds or other ap-
purtenances of a coaling station have been erect
| ed.
BERLIN, Jan. 23.-The National Zeitung,
| discussing the governments colonial policy,
declares that the independence of neither
| Zanzibar nor Samoa is menaced by Ger
many. All that is contended for is the pres
ervation of the rights acquired by Ger
mans in those regions. In Samoa the in
trigues of Americans who are violating
existing treaties have to be guarded
| against
The Cologne Gazette says it has reliable
| authority for the statement that Germany
| and England are negotiating on the Samos
| question in spirit of mutual understand
ing, and that all reports to the contrary
| are incorrect,
BREMERHAvEN,. Jan. 23.-Naval rein
| forcements for the German fleet now in
Samoan waters left here to-day on the
North German Lloyd steamer Nuremberg.
The Samoan Protocols.
WILMINGTON, Del, Jan. 23.-George Fl
Bates, of this city, who was sent to Samoa
by Secretary Bayard. in 1887, sends the fol