Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-24
The senato's Purpose Not 10 Trihe with
the Samoan Matter.

the Samoan Matter.
WASHINGTON, January 23d.-The aetion of The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee to-day in
reporting the proposed appropriation of Sl00,G0o
to enable the President 10 establish a ccaling
station at Pago Psgo harbor. and 100000 to
carry ont treaty stipulations with Samoa, is
evidence OF the intention OF the Senate at least
TO take immediate steps for the maintenance OF
American rights in the Samoan groupoi islands.
That the House will sustain the action of the
Senate there is no reason to doubt The harbor
of Pago Paso, in the Island OF Tutuila is one o.
the finest II the South PACING, but il is doubtful
II the United States would have moved to es-
tablish coaling station theie-although con.
ceded for that purpose-hut for Germany's ag-
greSsiye action.
In a letter addressed by Secretary Whitney TO
Chairman Herbert of the House Naval Affairs
Committee, January Dist, the Secretary says
Under the terms of the treaty OF friendship
and commerce between the United States and
the Government of the Samoan Islands-which
was concluded and ratified by their respective
Plenipotentaries at the city of Washington on
the 18th OF January 1873, and subsequently rati-
fed by the contracting Powers-Article VI.
grants the privilege 10 vessels OF this Govern.
ment or entering and using tie port OF Pago
Pago, and establishing there and ON the shores
thereof stations for coal and other naval sup
plies for the payal and commercial marine over
which the Samoan Government will neither ex-
ercise nor authorize jurisdiction within said
port adverse TO such rights of the United States
In accordance with the provisions of said
Article this Department directed the rental of q
had stored there large quantities of coal for the
use of our naval vessels in the Pacific ocean.
Owing, hos ever, to the limited authority OF the
Department in such matters, il has been unable
to make or enter into any agreement for q lease
OF the site beyond one year. The important in
terests subseryed by this privilege should not be
at the hazard OF tenure SO slight as a lease
| from year TO year. and l trust that the Depart
ment will be authorized to purchase the ueces-
| sary land for coaling station, ana be author
| lied to erect wharf and lighters, for handling
and sNoll ht,fN Aft,er TN-
| these purposes an appropriation of 100000 is
| estimated to be sufficient. and l Recommend
| such sum be appropriated"
To-day Mr.. Whitney supplemented his first
| letter with another Communication to Herbert
| IN which he says: I'm addition to what has
already been said. desire to call your attention
TO the Importance OF this appropriation at the
present time, when the whole question OF our
relations to the group of islands and other treaty
Powers has been referred by the President 70
Congress for its consideration and action. In
view of the responsibility thrown upon the
naval officers in dealing with those questions
the Department has heretofore asked ior an an
nouneement of a definite national policy regard
ing this group of islands for its Information and
guidance, and it is desirable that all reasonable
provision should be made for the future neces-
slties of commerce and the navy in that locality,
IN view of the importance which the question
now assumes"
By far the more important action Of the com
mittee is in requesting an appropriation of half
a million dollars Immediately to be PLACED at
VI USE DN nam Us
he may deem proper, TO protect the interests OF
the United States in Samoa under the existing
treaty stipulatioIs. This proposed item of ap-
preparation is so generously worded and its in
tent is so plainly evident, that Mr.. Cleveland
need hesitate no longer about taking whatever
steps are necessary for the maintenance of the
dignity and honor of tue United States IN Sa-
mos. He is not authorized TO declare war
against Germany, for to declare is prerogative
of Congress, but he need no. hesitate to treat
our German neighbors as they treat citizens OF
the United States on these Islands.
WHAT AN AMERICAN TRADER SAYS.
In the course of his recent testimony before
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Con-
sui Seawal read private letter from Mr..
Moore, leading American trader, whose lands
have been seized by a German trading firm at
Apia, who wrote to Seawall thet Braders the
German Consul, was said to be keeping a black
book, that he spent his time in deYising new
modes Of punishment, and that the island
would become great slaughter pen if Germany
ever came into full control of the island. Sea-
wall supplemented this letter with description
OF the ccploraale condition of American citizens
and were even now, as he expressed it, - at the
mercy of q German adventUer."
When asked what effect the recent action OF
the Government III sending another war vessel
TO Samoa, would have on the Germans, Seawall
replied thG- the instructions OF this Government
to Admiral Kimberly were ordinary instruc-
tions. that the Germans knew the limited
authority they gave, and that under these Cir
cumstanees the representatives OF the Omitted
States cannot reach the real cause OF trouble
at all