, 1889-01-27
Americas Policy.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-On the 9th
inst. Congressman Herbert of the naval
committee wrote a letter to Secretary
Whitney asking for any recent develop
ments in the Samoan matter and for a
copy of Whitney's letter of the 5th asking
the state department to announce its def
mite policy on the Samoan question.
Whitney's reply has Just been made pub
lie. He says that no news has been re-
ceived from the commanders in Samoa
later than that conveyed in the presi-
dents message of the 18th. The letter
continues:
Your letter also contains the following
request: L should be glad to know if any
further enlargement OF the appropriations
Tor your department should be made in
view OF the existing conditions?' This
inquiry upon its face seems to put upon
this department the responsibility of estl-
mating for probable expenditures arising
out OF conditions which it cannot anticI-
pate until a decision has been reached rs
TO the policy OF this government regarding
the independence of the Samoan group of
Islands. No judgment can be formed
upon the subject of possible expenditures.
Up to the present time the department is
not aware that we have had any national
policy upon the subject. Neither the
Monroe doctrine nor any other expression
OF national policy is understood to apply
TO the islands of the Pacific. One by one
they have been taken without interior
ence from the United States
IF there is to be no new departure
affecting this group of islands, ! conceive
the department quite able now to per.
form every duty arising out of existing
conditions. Unless there is a conflict be-
tween the policy of this government and
that OF some other power, the differences
will doubtless be h%armonized and no ex-
traordinary expenditures be called for.
Having brought to the attention of the
appropriation department, the circum-
stances specially within the observance
OF this department seeming TO call for
definite Instructions to its officers, and the
whole matter having subsequently been
laid before congress by the president, it
would be preferable that this department
should not anticipate conditions beyond
its authority or control"
a copy of Whitney's letter to the
secretary of state asking for a definite
policy as announced is enclosed. In it
Whitney says the Developments at
Samoa make-it evident that Germany in
tends the conquest of the islands in be
half of a commercial company; that he
has ordered vessels to be in readiness to
sail from that point from San Francisco,
but that under existing conditions with
out definite announcement of the govern
ment $ policy to commanders would be at
a loss what course to pursue and that if
the conquest is to be permitted additional
vessels would be useless as the Nipsic could
protect the consulate without aid. He
adds that an American harbor at Samoa
will be of national consequence in the
future, unless Germany takes possession,
in which case it would be useless.
In answer to an inquiry Secretary
Whitney this afternoon said there was no
antagonism between the state department
and the navy department in this matter.
Chairman Herbert, of the house naval
committee, said this evening. referring to
Secretary Whitney's letter, that the
secretary was undoubtedly right and
represented the position of the admins
tration when he said that in this matter
the policy of the government should be
shaped by congress.