The morning news., 1889-02-20
SAMOA NOT TO BEAWARD
OUR REPEATED REFUSALs TO
ASSUME A PROTECTORATE

Grants Administration Sixteen
Years Ago-The Raising Of the
American Flag over That of Samoa
Repudiated.
WAsHGNGToN, Feb. 19-The following
statementin in regard to the Samoan question
was prepared at the state department and
furnished for publication to-day:
The interest lately manifested in the
Samoan islands renders pertinent reference
TO several incidents which disclose the posi-
ton heretofore maintained by the United
States concerning that group. The advo-
Gates of the assumption of virtual pro-
tectorate over those islands by the United
States appear TO have lost sight of the .cs
that this government, in pursuance If
its traditional a d established policy
regarding remote foreign posse 'sions, las
at least five times refused to assume such
relation. The disavowal bv Secretary
Bayard of Consul Greenbaum's act three
years ago in raising the American flag and
declaring protectorate in the name Of tue
United States is fresh in the public mind,
and need not be further discussed. But
similar refusal to assume such protectorata
was thrice, indeed four times, previously
made by this government.
sTEINBERGER's BREAK
It will be remem cred that in 1873. 0ne
Steinterger was sent out by Pre- id MT
Grant as special agent to report on the coa-
dition of the islands. Having made his re-
port he returned in the following year as
the bearer of some presents and m sslges
from p esident Grant to the natives 1t
having subsequently been rumored, how
ever, that Steinberger had promised the
natives the protection OF the United States,
the House OF Representatives on March
2S, 1876, adopted resolution instructing
the committee on foreign affairs Ito inquire
into the extent aud character of the power
conferred by the United States on A. B.
Stsnberger, as special agent or com MIS-
sioner to the Samoan or Navigators' Islands,
and to call upon the Secretary of State for
all correspondence between said Stenb
ger and the department of state touching
the object, operation and result of sucn
mission or agency"
CONGRESS INFORMED.
This resolution was answered by the
Pres dent on Nav |, 1876, by transmitting
to the House the report of Mr.. Fish, then
Secretary OF s ate, in which it was S a ed
that MIR. Steinberger appeared to have ex-
ceeded his instructions. Accompanying
this report was a dispatch from S ,cretary
Fish to Mr.. Stelnberger, dated May 6, 1875,
in which the former, referring to the alle-
cation that Mr.. Sleinberger had promised
the SGmoans the protection of the United
States, said: "If this be as reDre-
sented, it is much to be regretted as no such
pro ise was made, nor any hope Of suca
protection is held out by warrant Of this
government, and such promise, IL made,
was one which this department, in the
absence Of a formal treaty, or of the sane
ton of congress- had no right to authorize
you to make"
OTHER FLAG RAIsINGs.
In 1877 Mr.. Colmesnil, then United States
commercial agent at Ayia, raised the
United States flag over tn, Samoan flag,
but his act was not sustained by the gov
ernment. But more notable still was the
similar raising of the American flag for the
purpose Of declaring protectorats in Feb
ruary, 1873, when Mr.. Griffith was United
States consul at Apia. At that time Mamea,
Samoan, who signed with Secretary
Evarts the treaty now existing between the
United States and Samoa, was in this
country, whittier he had come, as his peo-
pie well understood. for ths negotiation Of
a treaty Of protection. At the same time
the British high commissioner was at Apia
in man-of-war endeavorlng to induce the
Samoans 10 conclude the treaty subsequently
ratified with Great B itain.
OUR WAY CLEAR.
But the natives refused to enter into any
agreement whatever, until they had learned
the result OF their application to this gov
ernment for treaty Of protection. Germany
also had then no treaty with the islands.
The way was clear to the United States to
assume protectorate, II 1t had thought
proper to do SO. o. Feb. % 1877, the
Sam an government in an agreement with
the United States consul, Mr.. Griifiu, and
in furtherauce OF the purpose with which
Mamea was charged, aud fearing also lest
the British commissioner might resort to
force to compel the conclusion Of treaty
with Great Britain, had the United States
flag raised over that Of Samoa on the gov
ernment flags afr.
ANOTHER REFUSAL.
The United States again refused pro-
tectOra,e, and the treaty concluded by
Secretary Evarts and Mamea provided only
for the exercise by this government of its
good Office. Thus at IA time when the
islands had no treaty relations with any
foreign power, the United States, under
former administrations, three times refused
TO sustain protectorste actually promised
or declared in Samoa, and rejecte NJ .mel's
overtures for treaty of protection.
IMPORTANCE OF THE FACTS.
These are important facts to be considered
in relation to the advocacy by some per-
sons OF the assumption now by the United
States Of a virtual, though nominal, protec-
torate over the Samoan group. This is tho
most onerous form which the obligation OF
protection could assume, since it woult
render the United States practically respon-
sible for the consequences Of the acts OF
these semi-civlized aud irresponsible tribes,
with the right to control them.
BRANDERs RECALLED.
BERLIN, Feb. 19-The report is con-
lrmei that Branders, adviser Of King
Tamasese Of Samoa, has been recalled to
Berlin.
SYMPATHY OF THE COLONIES.
SAN Francisco, Feb 19.-T1e discussion
Of the Samoan question in New Zealand
AID Australia ha, shown that the press uni
formly supports the actioI Of the United
States government in appropriating m Jney
to protect its interests, and declaration is
made that in case of serious trouble beween
America aud Germany over tue islands,
the sympathy of the colonies would be
with the former, no matter what position
England assumes.
A UNION ON LINGUAL LINES.
Speaking at public banquet at Yelling
ton, the capital of New Zealand. Jan. %,
Sir Harry Atkinson, premier Of that colony,
said; II rejoice TO look forward to the
great union of all the English speaking
races throughout the world, and We ture TO
say that whether, In the course of time,
England or America is to be the center,
will depend upon our English statesmen.
If this is not to be the case, then we must