Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-06
OUR INTERESTS AND DUTY IN SAMOA.

OUR INTERESTS AND DUTY IN SAMOA.
Mr.. Charles II. Bates is one of the Com
missioners to Berlin to consider the Samoan
question. He was the agent of the United
States who went out to Samoa in 1886 to
examine into the situation at that time.
Now it is evident that this Samoan matter
is by no means as yet free from difficulty.
The fact that Herbert Bismarck last week
was in England, and is reported tele-
graphing to the Imperial Government that
he had come to an understanding with
Lord Salisbury, whereby England agrees
to stand by" Germany in the conference
OF next month, if accepted as true, is an
ominous fact. 1t is the American senti-
ment that if such caucus has been held.
and a pre!judgment formed, it would
justify the United States in withdrawing
from the negotiations. The hope should
be entertained that the story" is untrue
But assuming its truth, and coupling it
with the naval activity of Germany in the
Samoan direction, and the past outrageous
usurpations of German instigation in the
Samoan group, the statements of Mr.. Bates
in the current number of the Century pos
sess the highest interest.
Promising that the United States was
the Samoans; that we sent Colonel Stein
berger TO the islands in 1874 with draft
of a Constitution, to aid them in estab-
fishing orderly government, which they
adopted, at that time electing Malietoa
King and adopting flag, which our ship
of war, the Tuscarora, saluted in the
midst of great rejoicing; that we first ac-
quired harbor rights there; that it was
agreed that no other power should acquire |
superior or other rights than enjoyed by |
us; that we covenanted to interpose our
friendly offices for the preservation of
the independence of the island king
dom; that Malietoa was deported by |
Germany under our protest; that we
officially declined to recognize Tamasesse
the usurper who was put into the seat of
authority by German arms-let us ex-
anime what Mr.. Bates says, since it is i'm
portant that our people should well under
stand the whole matter. In brief, the
Commissioner thus puts the case:
The position of Samoa with respect to
the lower coast is that of Hawaii to the
upper coast. The two points are equi-dis-
tant from the Isthmus. Samoa is in the
direct line of trade between the Isthmus
and Australia, between China and the
Isthmus, and between California and Aus
tralasia. Whatever claim we have to con-
sideration in the control of the Isthmus or
the independence of Central and South
American States. relates also, in degree.
to Samoa. The commercial policy upon
which we insist as to the Sandwich
Islands, therefore applies to Samoa, be-
cause Of its relation to the Isthmian policy
Of neutrality. Our need for a naval port
of supply and refuge in the South Seas is
wholly dependent upon the maintenance
of the neutrality of Samoa. Our treaty
with the Samoan chiefs was made in 1872,
that of Germany, in 1879, and of England
later in the same year In that year the
three Powers agreed upon municipal
form for the government of the city of
Apia, as neutral place, and the Samoans
gladly assented. The agreement was not
submitted, through error of the late Ad-
to the United States Senate.
but we have acquieseed in the action of
our representatives in Samoa, have en-
joyed its fruits, exercised due share in the
local control, and in morals and good faith
are bound to the Samoans TO hold true and
steadfast to the compact
Now, in Mr.. Monroe's time he could not
foresee the relations to grow up between
the United States and the island groups of
the Pacific. The Monroe doctrine. while
limited in application in its genesis, must 8
apply in principle to the expansion of our
is to say, the doctrine in
essence is that European Powers shall not
in the affairs of this part Of the
hemisphere to the detriment of our inter
ests and safety. Wharton, in his digest
Of International Law" Classics our action
Hawaii and Samoa among the
special applications of the Monroe doc
lrine, but if it be granted for moment !
hat the doctrine excludes Samoa, then
i is the sentiment Of the American peo- |
pie, and II is in accord with the genius of !
our institutions, that new doctrine
should be promulgated that will save to t
perfect neutrality this, the last foothold O
IF freedom in Polynesia, save only small b
md unimportant island that we secured in 4
1856 by treaty and the right of discovery G
Now, says Mr.. Bates, zoe are committed to j.
he Scnaoans that no disposition shall be t
made of their Government and their c
homes without our consent, no matter p
What power attempts to dominate All p
he diplomatic correspondence proves t,