, 1889-01-31
On the Samoan Complication
Policy for the Government.
WHICH CONGRESS- WILL SHAPE
The Secretary's View OF Ahs situstion--- -
He Considers che Nipsic
Adequate Protection.

DIR: EOcl08eu nerowltn l send COPY
Of the dispatch just received by wire from
Nipsic, now at Samoa. The department
is able TO send immediately two additional
vessels to Samoa in response to this re.
buest aud had given directions that they
be made ready to receive sailing orders
and would be pleased to strengthen the
force at the Samoan islands by these and
other vessels of the Pacific squadron if
be served thereby. II, however, the pur-
pose OF the German government now
made entirely clear, imposes no duty upon
the officers OF the sqaderon. TO strengthen
the naval force at those islands it would
only place the officers. under irritating con.
ditions, with no duty to perform and
would In all probability give rise to
trouble. The Nipsic Is entirely adequate
for the protection Of our consulate and as
a. an asylum for any non.combatants en-
titled TO our protection. Our government
in view Of the critical situation at the
Samoa islands, it seems to the department,
that officers of the squadron II further YES.
sells are to be dispatched, should receive
instructions Of q definite character as
to their duty In the premises.
From correspondence heretofore held
between the department Of state and the
German govern ment, and from reports re-
agency at the island 1t appears clear the
conquest OF those islands is intended by
the German government in the intarests
Of O commercial company and being con.
summated by overt acts, which are mul-
tiplying day by day. There Is no longer
any other pretext upon which can he ex-
plsined the interference of German man
of.war 10 the contest in progress upon the
Island OF Apia. l apprenend that the
officers of the navy will not understand,
without advice to that effect, what their
duty may be under the circumstances as
they are developing. Our antecedent re-
lations to this group OF islands and the
Sandwich islands have been of an excep-
tional character and will be likely TO give
Fise to doubts in the minds Of officers as to
their duty under existing conditions. In
these groups Of islands, by treaty, harbors
have been reserved for the use OF the navy
of she United States, and as to the Samoan
group three govern ments, Germany, Great
Britain and the United States, have up to
a recent date acted upon the theory of
mutual cooperation in preserving the
autonomy OF the people of the Samoan
islands. The harbor ut Samoa will become
Of national consequences to the, United
States In the future as a naval power,
but IL the islands are to 20
under the dominion Of Germany it would
cease to be of use. The department has
heretofore directed the officers Of the
squadron to act in accordance with in
structions which the consular agent ut Sa-
moa shall receive from the department of
state. but In view of late advices and this
request for additional force the depart.
mont desires to be advised whether it is
the purpose of the government to an.
nounce any policy regarding. the Samoan
group of which officers should be advised.
Verv respectfully,
lSigned.I VIC. WHITNEY.
WASHINGTON. Jan. GA dispatch
from the commander at the Nipsic referred
to in the above is dated Auckland January
5th. and was given to the associated press
dispatch sometime ago. 1t details
the happenings on the islands and asks
tor additional force. Inquiry at the navy
department this afternoon developed the
fact that Secretary Bayard has made a di'
rect response to Secretary Whitney's letter
OF inquiry a. TO the policy of the govern
ment. II is understood, however, that the
presi ient's action in referring the matter
to congress was based to q considerable
degree upon the points made In Secretary
Whitney's letter. Ia answer to on iuqui-
ry Secretary Whitney this afternoon said
there is no antagonism between the state
department and the navy department IN
this matter. Chairman Herbert OF the
house navy committee said this evening.
referring to Secretary Whitney's lete that
the secretary was undou btedly 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.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-On the oath
Congressman Herbert of the naval com.
mittee wrote letter 10 Secretary Whit.
ney, asking for any recent developments
in the Samoan matter and for copy OF
Whitney's letter Of the 9Th asking the
state department to announce definite
policy on the Samoan question, and Whit
ney's reply is Just made public. He says
no ne Wa has been received from the COM
mauders in Samoa later than conveyed in
the press dispatches. The letter continues:
"House letter also contains the following
request:
"'I should be glad to know II any
further enlargement OF the appropriations
of your department should be made in
view Of the existing conditions,
This inquiry upon ito face seems to put
upon this department the responsibility OF
estimating the possible expenditures aris-
Ing out OF the conditions 1t cannot antici-
pate until decision Is reached Az to the
policy Of this government regarding the
Independence of the Samoan group OF
islands, no judgment can be formed
upon the subject. Neither the Monroe
doctrine nor any other expression OF ma
tional policy is understood to apply to the
islands of the Pacific. One by one, they
have been taken without interference by
the United States. II there is to be no
new departure affecting this group OF
islands conceive the department quite
able now to perform every duty
arising out Of existing condi
tions. Unless there is conflict
between the policy Of this aovsrn!ment and