New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-24
..,rr, .,rrr,rn,rr,rrrc MEAN nr1sINF9S
THE AMENDMENTS MEAN BUSINESS.
A FLEET OF AMERICAN WAR SHIPS, IF NEcES-
sARY. TO PROTECT THE SAMOAN
GOVERNMENT
rexNrRAL PRESS DrsPAIcH.l

Washington jan Ex-senator Sherman made no
statement Of the views Of the Senate Commit'ee On
Foreign Affairs upon the proposed amendments !"
the Diplomatic and Consular bill relative 10 samoa
a. the time they were offered, but It Is learned
that the COMMITTEES was of opinion that under the
terms O. the treaty with Samoa it Is the duty OF
the United States intervene BY force, IL necessary
10 protect the autonomy of the islands against tho
aggressions of any power
Then the amendments Of the Consular Dill mean
that the President Is to send heet OF war ships OF
any other force he may deem necessary 10 project
the Samoan Government, and to relieve she people
from the danger Of warF was asked oi ohs vi pio
members OF the comfttee.
sThat is exactly what they mean,' was the answor.
II is understood that the committee was unanimous
in support of the amendments
ON January 2i, Secretary whitney sent to H. ~
Herbert. chairman OF the House Naval COMMITTEE
the following letter. relative te the purchase OF 'no
necessary land for coaling siauoh ih e h~'OOi VI
Pago Pago, samoa:
1,aer ne tcrms Of the treaty Of friendship rnd
merce between United States and the Government OF
the samoan Islands, which was concluded ana fauhed
by their respective penpoenusries at the City OF wash
ingon on the 18th OF January 1873 and subsequently
ratified by the contracting parties Article III grants
the pryege TO naval OF this Government Of enter
ing and using the port Of PagoPaso. ana establishing
therein and tho shores thereof station for coal and
other naval supplies the naval and commercial marhc,
over which the Sanosn Government will neither exercise
nor authorize any Jurisdiction within said port adverse
TO such right Of the United Stabss
In accordance with the provisions Of the said article
Department directed the rental Of piece OF land in
Pago Pago and had stored there large quant
ties OF coal for naval vessels In the Pacific
Ocean
Owing, however the limited authority OF the De-
partment in such matters, has beer unable TO make
to enter into any agreement OF lease for site good
beyond year. The important interests subserved by this
privilege should be at the hazard Of tenure as slight
a year year and request that the De-
partment authorized purchase the necessary land
coaling station and be authorized TO erect wharf
and lighters for handling COAL and small building for
keeper these purposes appropriation Of $4,000
is estimated to be sufficient and recommend that such
sum be appropriated.
To-day Secretary whitney sent second letter 10
Mr. Herbert, OF which the following is copy
I have your letter Of January 81 1880, stating
that, the Naval Appropriation Bib has been Pored
propratlon for the establishment OF The necessary
improvements in the harDOr Of Pago- Pago, 10 make
II effective as coalng and naval station, VIII be
offered when the bill is taken up In the House
In addition TO what has already been said desire
10 call your attention TO the importance OF this ap
propriatlOn at the present time when the whole gues-
don Of our relations 10 this group OF ISLANDS ana te
other treaty Powers has been referred by the Pfesl
dent 10 Congress for its consideration and action
In view of the responsibility thrown upon NaVal
officers I'm dealing with these questions, the depart
ment has heretofore asked for the announcement OF
definite National policy regarding this group OF
islands for IT'S Information and guidance ana IL is
desirable that all reasonable provision shQulq pc nenO
in that locality in view OF the importance which the
question assumes.