The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-16
War Vessels Have Been Sent to the Islands to
Protect American Interests, and He Has
Insisted Upon Treaty Observance.
A TriHing Incident that Nay Determine
the Speakership of the Next House.
Senator-Elect Edgerton Talks About Admis-
sion of Dakota and Tells How an Extra
Session Would Relieve the President.
The President Submits Statement OF the
Action of the Executive Department-

The President Submits Statement OF the
Action of the Executive Department.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-The President
sent to Congress to-day a message accom-
panied by mass of correspondence, giving
the status of affairs now in Samoa. and the
progress of affairs there. The correspond
ence inclosed is that occurring since Dec.
81, 1888. The President says:
''The information thus laid before Con-
gress is of much Importance, since it has re-
lation to the preservation of American in
terests and the protection of American
citizens and their property in distant
isfactory government. In the midst of the
disturbances, which have arisen at
Samoa, such powers have been ex-
ercised as seemed to be within
and laws, which appear TO accord with our
national policy and condition. TO restore
tranquility and secure the safety of our
citizens through negotiation and agreement
with Great Britain and Germany, which,
with our own government, constitute the
treaty powers interested IN Samoan peace
and quiet. The attempt has been made to
define more clearly the part which those
powers shall assume in the government OF
that country, while, at the same time, its
authority has been insisted upon. These
negotiations were at one time interrupted
by such action on the part of the German
government as appeared to be 1ncon-
sistent with their further continuance.
Germany, however, still insists as from the
first, that she has no desire or intention to
oyerturn the native Samoan government
or to ignore our treaty rights, and she still
invites our government to join her in q
proposition on this subject which seems to
lead to such preponderance of German
power in Samoa as was never contemplated
by us, and is inconsistent with every prior
agreement or every understanding while
hafxv ha
warring factions gives rise to the suspicion
that she is not content with neutral posi-
tion. Acting under the restraints which
our Constitution and laws have
er, have insisted that the
autonomy and independence of Samoa
should be scrupulously preserved, accord
ing TO the treaty made with Samoa by the
powers named and the other agreements
and understandings with each other. L
have protested against every act appar-
emily tending in the opposite direction.
During the existence of internal disturb
kept In Samoan waters to protect American
citizens and property. These things Will
abundantly appear from the correspond
ence and papers which have been
submitted to the Congress. A recent
collision between the. forces from a
German man-of-war stationed in Samoan
waters and a body of natives rem:
dered the situation SO delicate and
under the immediate command of
Admiral Kimberly, was ordered to join
the Nlpslc, already at Samoa, for the better
protection of person and property of our
store order and safety, the attention of
Congress is especially called to the instruc-
tions given to Admiral Kimberly, dated the
11th instant, and the letter of the Secretary
18th instant, which will be found among
the papers herewith submitted. By means
| of the papers and documents heretofore
| submitted, and those accompanying this
communication, the precise situation OF
| affairs in Samoa is laid before Congress,
| and such executive action as has been
| taken is fully exhibited. The view of the
executive in respect to the just policy to be
| pursued with regard to this group OF
| islands, which lie in the direct highway of
| the growing and important commerce be-
| tween Australia and the United States has
found expression Ill the correspondence and
| documents which have thus been fully
| communicated to Congress, and the subject
in its present stage is submitted to the
wiser discretion conferred by the Const1tu-
tion upon the legislative branch OF the
| government"
The correspondence alluded to by the
| President was not laid before the House or
| Senate.
| LONDON, Jan. 15.-The belief has become
| general in diplomatic circles that the trou-
bles in Samoa must lead TO serious friction
| between the United States and Germany,
| out of which will probably grow better
understanding between England and Amer
lea, beginning with the relegation of the
Sackville incident to Oblivion. 1t is assert
ed by persons in a position to know the
| facts that Secretary Bayard informed Lord
Salisbury of the recent happenings in
Samoa forty-eight hours previous to the
| publication of the first account of the
trouble, and it is further stated that this
is almost the only communication that has
i English AmQr1cQu
governments since the Sackyille corre-
| snondeuca 81