Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-27
WANTED, A DEFINITE POLICY,
Interesting Correspondence on tho
Samoan Affair.
wHlTNEY's LETTER TO eAYARo.
The secretary Briefly Reviews tho
situation and Asks For Further
Instructions on Certain I'm
s%purtant Points.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2b.-The letter from
Secretary Whitney, replying to that of Con-
gresham Herbert, previously given in these
dispatches, was made public Saturday after
noon. Replying to the request for the an
uounccmcnt of u definite policy. the sccrc-
tary says, under date Of January y, that
there are no later reports than those trans.
mittcd to congress by the president on Janu-
airy 10. a communication Of the navy de-.
paTtment to the secretary Of state in rcTor-
enCe TO an announcement of IA definite policy
is contained in the letter enclosed. Refer
ring 80 the request of MIR. Herbert to know
II a turther enlargement of the appropria-
tions for the navy department would be
made, in view of the existing conditions, tho
secretary says This inquiry, upon its
face, seems to put upon this department the
r"esponsibllltN OF estimating for
! the possible expenditures arising
out of conditions which it cannot overcome.
Until Il decision is reached rs to the policy of
the government regarding the Independence
of the Samoan islands, no judgement can be
formed upon the subject of possible cxpcn-
diture. Up to the present time the depart
mcnt is not aware that we have had any ma.
tional policy upon this subject, Neither the
Monroe doctrine nor any other expression of
national policy is understood to apply to the
Pacific islands. One by one they have been
taken without intcrfol cnce from us. II
there is to be no new departure affecting
this groupe of islands, | CONCEIVE that tho
department is quite able TO perform every
ulllN IL lNlllS Oll VI lut tNlSllIlg tOn-
ditions. Unless there is n conflict
between the policy of this government
and that of some other power, the differences
will doubtless be harmOni2cd and no extra.
ordinary expenditures will be called for.
Having brought to the attention of the ap.
propriate department the circumstances
within its observation seeming to call for
definite Instructions, and the whole matter
having been laid before congress by the
president, it would be preferable that this
department should not anticipate conditions
beyond its authority or control"
The enclosed letter referred to is from Sec
rotary Whitney to Secretary Bayard, under
date of January 5. In it he says that he en-
closed "A copy OF the dispatch from the
captain of the Nipsic. The department.
he says, is able to send Immediately two ad-
ditional vessels To Samoa IN response to tho
request, and would be pleased to strengthen
the force at the Samoa islands by these and
other vessels of the Pacific squadron if nee
essary. If, however, the purpose of the Ger
man government, now made entirely clear,
imposes no duty upon the officers of tho
squadron to strengthen the naval force at
those islands, it would only place the officers
under irritating conditions, with no duty to
perform, and would in all probability give
rise to trouble. In view of the critical situa,
ton it seems to be proper that tho
officers of the squadron, II further
vessels are to be despatched, should
receive instructions Of a definite character as
to their duty III the premises.
The secretary adds that from all CORE
1t appears clear that the conquest
of the Samoan islands is intended by the
German government in the interest of the
Commercial company, and is being CON
by overt acts, which are multiply
ing day by day. There is no longer any
other preteXt upon which can be explained
the interference of their naval force. II APP
says the secretary, 'that the of
ticcrs of the navy will not understand, without
definite advices, what their duty may be
under the developing circumstances. Our
antecedent relations to the Samoa and Sand
which islands have been of an exceptional
and will be likely to give rise to
doubts in the minds of officials as to their
duty under the existing conditions. In those
groups of islands, by treaty rights, harbors
nave been reserved for the navy, and, as to
the Samoan group, Germany, Great Britain
md the United States have up to
! recent date acted together upon
he theory of mutual cooperation
n pressing the autonomy of their people.
The harbor of Samoa will become of national
to us in the future, as a naval
but If the islands are TO be under the
The dominion of Germany it would cease TO
DC of use. Ia view of late advices and the
'equest for an additional force, the depart.
nent desires to be advised whether it is the
purpose Of the government to announce any
policy regarding the Samoan group, of which
he officers should be advised
The dispatch from the captain Of the Nip
lie is that which appeared in the Associated
'ress dispatches some time ago, detailing the
'ccurances at Samoa anu asking FOR ad-
iitional force.
Inquiry at the navy department this after
loon developed the fact that Secretary Bay
nd has made no direct response to Secretary
letter inquiring as to tho policy of
he government. 1t is understood, however,
hat the presidents action in referring the
To congress was based, to q consider
Lble extent, upon the points made in Score
AIRY Whitney's letter. In answer to an III,
Iuir.y on this subject, Secretary Whitney
afternoon SAID hIhcre is no aDtapOnism
,etween the state and navy department in
his natter"
Chairman Herbert, of the house naval com
nittee, says this evening that Secretary
Whitney was undoubtedly right. and repre-
ented the position of the administration
when he said that in this matter the govern
nent should be shaped by congress.