Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-01-28
1T IS TIME TO ACT.
Secretary Wh.tney's Opinion Con-
c6fning German AggressiOns.
WE SHOULD TAKE A STAND.
This Government Has Looked on Long
Enough While Germany Is Calmly
Appropriating One Island
After Another.


WASHINGTON. jan 27-Secretary Whit
ney replied to Congressman Herhert's letter
asking for more information on Samoan af-
fairs, etc. lie says he has nothing beyond
what was transmitted to congress by the
president. In response TO question from
Mr.. Herbert, asking if any further enlarge
ment of the appropriation for the navy de
partment should be made in view of the ex-
isting conditions, the secretary says:
This inquiry, upon its face, seenis TO put
upon this department the responsibility of
estimating for possible expenditures arising
out Of conditions which it cannot anticipate
this government regarding the independence
of the Samoan group of islands No judg
ment can be formed upon the subject The
department is not aware that we have had
any national policy upon the subject Neither
the Monroe doctrine nor any other express
ion Of national policy is understood to apply
to the islands of the Pacific. One by one they
have been taken without interference from
US If there is to be no new departure affect
navy department is quite able now to per-
form every duty arising out of existing con-
ditions unless there is a conflict between the
policy Of this government and some other
power differences will doubtless be harmon
lied and no extraordinary expenditures be
called for. Having brought the attention of
the appropriate department to circumstances
specially within observation, seeming 60 call
for definite instructions TO 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 OF
control"
The secretary incloses TO Herbert his
CWhitney's letter Of Jan. 5, to Secretary
Bayard, asking for definite national pol
icy 1t is as follows: Enclosed herewith
send copy of dispatch just received by
way of New Zealand from the captain of the
Nipsic, now at Samoa The department is
able to send Immediately two additional YES
sells to Samoa in response to this request,
and has 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 any useful
purpose is to be served thereby. If,
however, the purpose of the German
government, now made entirely clear,
imposes no duty upon the officers of
the squadron, to strengthen the naval force
at those islands would only place the officers
under irritating conditions with no duty to
perform, and would in all probability give
rise to troubles The Nipsic is entirely
adequate for the protection of the consulate
and as an asylum for non-combatantse entitled
to the protection of our government In view
of the critical situation at the Samoan
Islands, it seems to the department that the
officers Of the squadron, if further vessels
are to be dispatched, should receive in
structions of definite character as to their
duty in the premises. From correspondence
heretofore held between the department of
state and the German government, and from
reports Wceived from our naval officers and
the consular agency at the islands, it appears
clear that the conquest Of these islands is in
tended by the German government in the in
terest of a commercial company and is being
censummated by overt acts, which are null
tiplying day by day. There is no longer any
other pretext upon which can be explained
the interference of German men of war in
the contest in progress upon the island of
Apia- l apprehend that officsrs'of the navy
will not understand without definite advices
to that effect what their duty may be under
the circumstances as they are developing.
Our antecedent relations to this group of isl
ands and to the Sandwich Islands have been
of an exceptional character, and will be likely
to give rise to doubts in the minds of officers
as to their duty under existing conditions
On these two groups of islands, by treaty,
harbors have been reserved for the use of
the navy of the United States; and as to the
Samoan group three governments, Germany
Great Britain and the United States haveup
to a recent date acted upon the theory
of mutual cooperation in preserving the
autonomy of the people of the Samoan
Islands. A harbor at Samoa viii be-
come of national consequence to us in
the future as a naval power, but If the
islands are to go under the dominion
of Germany, it would cease to be of USE
The department has heretofore directed olfi-
GERS Of the squadron to act in accordance
with instructions which the consular agent
at Samoa shall receive from the department
of state, but in view of later advices and this
request for additional forces, the navy de-
partment desires to be advised whether it is
the purpose Of the government to announce
any policy regarding the Samoan group Of
which the officers should be ad-ised
LONDON. Jan. 2S--Lord Salisbury's inter-
view with Baron Hatzfeldt concerning Sa-
moa resulted in an understanding to the
effect that Prince Bismarck would propose
q rripartite treaty which shall guarantee the
neutrality and independence of Samoa. The
natives might elect king, but the control
Of the native administration would be left to
q council composed Of the consuls Of the three
powers, England, Germany and America
The British foreign Office believes that Baron
Hatzfeldts action viii readily obtain indorse-
ment at Berlin
Murder in the second Degree.
PITTsBURG, Jan 2s-Joseph DENNY.