St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-25


Secretary Whitney declined to be in
terviewed in regard to the publication
in the North German Gazette. The
policy of the government, he said. was
fixed, and nothing which might be said
in regard to it must come from the navy
department.. The navy department had
no jurisdiction over the matter, except
+ an executive character. No new Or
ders, the secretary said, had been issued
by the navy department in regard to
Samoan affairs. Senator EdmundS,
when made acquainted with the tenor
of the utteranceS of the Berlin Gazette,
said:
suppose If Bismarck wants to express his
opinion upon any subject he feels at perfect
liberty to do so, but also suppose that the
expression of such opinion will not serve TO
deter the American people from carrying QUE
any policy they may adopt as desirable or
necessary. The Samoan islands are on the
highway of commerce across the Pacific
ocean, and are fgreat importance with re-
lation to the development of the trade via
the projected canals across the Isthmus OF
Panama and across Nicaragua. TO power
whose ships are sent on long cruises the es-
Enlistment of coaling stations Is necessity,
and the location of one on the central island
of the Samoan group, as provided for III the
proposed amendment to the diplomatic ana
consular appropriation bill, reported by the
committee on foreign relations, is looked
upon as one of great importance TO us.
Such members of the house commit
tee OH foreign affairs as could be seen
tonight were averse to discussing free
ly the present state of our relations
with Samoa in view of the fact that the
| subject is now before the committee
| and they are expected to communicate
their views formally to the house ill the
| shape of report. Representative
| Russell, of Massachusetts, who was to-
| day designated as member OF the SUBJ
| committee having the matter in charge:
| said that he really knew very little OF
| Samoan affairs. He had not read the
| correspondence sent to congress by the
president, but intended to do so as soon
| as 1t came before the committee in an
official way. When told of the position
| taken by the North German Gazette,
Mr.. Russell remarked that ''if matters
should reach an extreme point, don't
believe that we are going to be eaten
up by any European power" Repre-
sentative Rockwell also pleaded ignor-
ance. He remarked in a jocular man
ner that the matter had been referred
| to a subcommittee and he had no doubt
| that it would declare war. Mr.. Hit, a
| leading Republican member of the COM
mittee was inclined to take a peaceful
| view of the situation. He listened
| carefully to the reading of the North
| German Gazette article and then re-
marked that he did not notice that it
contained anything that was untrue.
| There was a Skillful play upon words,
as would be observed upon reflection.
| There was no information in his pos
session to the effect that the United
| States and Germany had by treaty
bound themselves to preserve Samoan
| autonomy. Still it was evident, that
while cautiously written, the article
breathed a hostile spirit, melted, no
doubt, by exaggerated accounts which
had reached Berlin of the feeling in
America.
The fact is said Mr. Hit, that We are suffer
ing for lack of information. The president,
to use his term, 'relegated' the entire sub
ject to congress, but, unfortunately, failed to
transmit copy of the agreement between
the representatives of the United States.
England and Germany. Just what that
agreement is, or how it binds the United
| States, nobody in congress knows, but it
must be very bad agreement under which
| the present state of affairs in Samoa has re-
suited. So long as the country knows that
the wise men of both political parties in the
senate have been fully advised and taken
into the presidents confidence, the people
| rest in ease. But they are not disposed to
trust too much 10 the infallibllity OF one
mentally unlucky in the exercise of his judg-
ment. Continuing, MIR. Hit said that the
Berlin dispatch did not add to the lntorma-
ton we already possess. Touching the
possibility of serious trouble resulting from
the Samoan affair, he was disposed to make
light of it. OF course, he said, there cannot
for AN instant be any doubt as to the action
of the United States if any attempt is made to
mistreat us. But he had confidence in the
strong common sense of the leaders on both
cir of no
slight importance could not reasonably be
expected to bring about war between the
United States and nation which has Tor us
the kindest, warmest feelings. Even Bis
marck would not be likely to push the mat
ter too far lest he should lose the moral sup
port of the German people. who remember
with gratitude the kindly and effectual aid
extended TO them in time of trouble by the
United States; which had resulted in saving
the lives and property of thousands OF Ger
man citizens in a foreign country. But 1t
was possible said Mr.. Hit in conclusion,
that if Prince Bismarck had an idea that he
was dealing with weak and morlbund ad-
ministration, he might readily fall back upon
his old and well-known policy in order to
crafty the passion of the German people for
| colonial possessions
Senator Brown, of Georgia, said that
| in view of his position as member of
| the foreign relations committee he pre-
| ferred not to say anything in regard to
| When the matter matured he said he
would be perfectly willing to talk about
1t. Senator Morgan, of Alabama talked
quite freely on the subject.
THE details of the troubles in Samoa" he
said ''are matters of dispute at present, and
it would, therefore. be premature to discuss
the grounds OF Germanys action until we are
in full possession of all the facts. The adj
minstration has been active in asserting our
rights in Samoa, and congress has shown
strong determination to support The admins
tratiOn in any action looking to the preserta-
ton Of the independence OF the islands and
the protection of American interests there.
| think the steps already taken will prove ade-
| quate to the emergency, and am perfectly
satisfied that whatever rights we have will
| be faithfully protected. We have always
| pursued a conservative course in respect to
! these islands and have always endeavored to
| maintain their neutrality. l am confident
| that we shall maintain whatever rights we
may have in that quarter, The united States
| has no colonial policy. and while we are, OF
| course, DESTROYS of keeping our commerce
open with all the world we do not, like Ger
many, desire to extend our national jurisdic-
ton. While there may be some question as
to the nations of Samoa to maintain good
government. it is certain that none of the
great maritime powers of the world has any
right to usurp that power 20 itself. We have
material interests in these Islands and shall
tolerate no act CD the part Of another power
| which will interfere with our free commerce
| with them
Mr. Morgan said that Secretary Bay
ard had been very unjustly criticized
! for his course in this matter. AS a
matter of fact" said Mr.. Morgan, The
! has done all that cOuld be done, and
| when all the facts are disclosed it Twill
be found that his policy all through has
been dignifed, positive and truly
American in every respect. Senator
Frye. at first, was very reluctant to be
interviewed further in regard to Sa-
moan affairs, but finally consented.
81 think said he, ''our treaty rights are
| such in Samoa that we cannot permit the in