The Portland daily press., 1889-01-31
Mr.. DOLPH WANTS A PROTECTORATE.
What Was Said Of Samoan Affairs
Yesterday.
Mr.. Reed on True Economy In Public
Expenditures.
The DoIngs Of a Day in the National
Capital.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-The Senate re-
sumed the consideration Of the Diplomatic
and Consular Appropriation bills, the ques-
tion being on the amendments affecting the
Samoan Islands. After a general descrip-
tion Of the Islands, their products, inhabi-
tants and commercial Importance, Mr.. Dolph
reviewed the history Of affairs since the Uni
ted States government first took an interest
in the Samoan Islands, and the recent occu--
rences WHICH, he said. had involved the Uni
ted States in some controversy with the Ger
man government. He spoke of the treaty or
convention Of November. 1884, between Sa-
moa and Germany as one which, IL 1t had
been executed, would have substantially Sc
scured to the German government the en-
tire control of the islands.
Mr.. Morgan remarked that that convention
contained evidence absolutely convincing Of
the determination OF Germany to acquire
Jurisdiction and power In Samoa, and that
Germany would not have abandoned 1t but
for the pressure brought to bear by other in
tereSted powers.
Mr.. Dolph said that the extensive pro-
visions Of that treaty. and the powers con-
ferred by 1t on Germany, were entirely in
compatible with the independence and au-
t0nomy of the native government, and were
inconsistent with American treaty rights
there, but that as soon as the German fleet
went away the treaty had been repudiated
by MalietOa as having been signed under
protest. In the course Of his review Mr.
Dolph came to the point where United
States Consul Greenbaum had raised the
American flag over the Samoan flag in the
harbOr Of Apla, an act which had been
promptly repudiated by Mr; Bayard, and the
reputation notified TO the German and Eng
lish governments, with suggestion as 10 a
protect0rate.
Mr.. Morgan stated that Mt. Bayard had
never committed the United States govern
ment to the position that there should be
either separate or joint protectorate over
the Islands, not believing that a protectorate
was entirely consistent with autonomy.
Coming down to the conference at Wash
ingson in July, 1887, Mr.. Dolph spoke Of an
agreement that, pending that conference, the
status quo should be observed. and Mr.. Nor
gan asked him for his authority for the state
ment that the German government had
agreed to observe the status quo.
Mr.. Dolph replied that there may have
been no such special agreement, but that the
observance OF the status quo was necessarily
implied.
As to the specific amendments Mr.. Dolph
said he could hardly conceive why the gov
ernment should spend 100000 in establish
ing coaling station at Pago Pago. unless the
government should insist that all its rights
fere In the matter, something very different
from the pending amendments would be re-
quired. ilf he were asked what that was
to be, he should say that Congress
should direct the President 10 Insist
upon restoration by the German govern
ment Of the status quo, at the time
of the Washington conference, and ~ notify
the German government that the United
States would not permit the Samoan Islands
TO pass under the control of any foreign ma
naf fnAonapAonf
must be maintained.
He saw no good reason why IL necessary,
and II requested by the Samoan people, an
American pr0tect0rate should not be estab-
lished over them, and that, he said, would be
an entirely different thing from Intervention
as practiced by European powers on the con-
tinent of Europe.
Mr.. Gray asked Mr.. Dolph whether he Sc
riously contended that the setting up Of a
half civilized monarchy in Samoa and the
amounting OF half savage with the oil Of
conservation was an assertion OF the Monroe
doctrine.
Mr.. Dolph-"No. say that the Monroe
doctrine should be asserted In reference TO
the Samoan Islands, as they come within its
terms"
Mr.. Reagan, in opposing the amendment.
said the proposed amendment was too feeble
to answer the purpose. The proposition was
limited TO the extension Of the good offices OF
Ss Rssga1 o1tsd Sse soos M5
quered and subjugated by Germany If we
mean anything, let us signify 1t by our ac-
ton. IL we believe we have rights which
have been violated. we should assert those
rights as becomes great and powerful ma
ton. Ii Congress was possessed of Bis
marck's force of will, the trouble would be
quickly settled without war, l am not in
favor Of war, | know too we'll the calami-
ties of war. But the humiliation Of a great
nation in the face of an arrogant power Is
worse than war. would give the President
power to determine what our rights In the
matter are aud power to assert those
rights in way that could not
be mistaken. II we do this, we
may expect to maintain our rights and
see the restoration of the statu quo. l would
suggest an addition to the pending amend
ment Of the words I'and for the protection
OF the rights OF American citizens residing
in said islands, and to preserve the neutra]i-
ty and independence of their people, IL we
do not put in some such declaration, we
leave the President exactlv where he Is now,
in position where he regards himself as
powerless to .yindicate the rights of the
United States"
At the close Of Mr.. Reagan's speech, the
Senate, on motion Of Mr.. Riddleberger, who
said he wished an executive session "for
great purpose" presumably the British ex-
tradition treaty, proceeded to executive bus
iness. When the doors re-opened the Senate
adjourned