Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-31
SAMOA SITUATION.
Morrow, Of California, Wants the
Government Equipped With
Power
To Restore the Statu Quo in Samoa
The Senate in Executive
Session.
Sherman Outlines the Policy of the Coun-
try in Securing the Independence of
Samoa.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 0-Representative
Morrow, of California, yesterday intro
duced in the House for reference the fol-
lowing joint resolution:
ResoLUed, That the present condition of affairs
at Samoa requires that this Government should
aid the people Of those islam DIS in securing an
independent native Government, free from the
claims of territorial jurisdiction Of any Euro
pean power, and to the end that this purpose
may be speedily and efectually accomplished,
the President of the United States is hereby
requested to insist on the restoration Of affairs
on said islands as the same existed at the time
of the convention between the representatives
of the Governments of Germany, Great Britain
and the United States held in the city
of Washington in June or July, 1887; that he
further aid in securing settlement of the
pending difficulties at Samoa on satisfactory
and solid foundation and in the restoration Of
peace and good order under responsible
native Independent government with a court Of
competent juridiction to determine land titles
and such other claims and controversies of
| foreign residents as may be properly cognizable
| by such court, and that he take such further
steps as may be necessary to protect the
rights of the Government and its citizens in
| said islands.
Chairman Herbert, Of the House Com
mittee on Naval Affairs, says that an
| amendment will probably be offered to the
Naval Appropriation bill when it is called
| up for consid GRAFTON in the House appro-
priating 100000 for a coaling station at
Pago-Pago. He has not been able to con-
| fer with all the members of the committee,
| but such as have been spoken to are in
| favor of the amendment.
The Senate yesterday was in executive
| session on Samoan affairs. Summing u p
long speech reviewing the causes leading
| to the present contention, Mr.. Sherman
said the first thing to be done was for the
United States to assert it's power in the
occupancy and possession of the bay OF
Papo-Pago. That ought to be done imme-
diately. 1t did not need war to protect a
nations rights. The mere assertion of
those rights, the due regard for them, the
expenditure of money there, the storing of
coal there, the calling of vessels there
all of these things were assertions of
power far more influential than proto-
coils and diplomatic correspondence.
| Mr.. George asked: 1.-THE amendments do
not menace a war, do theyW
| Mr.. Sherman answered: 81 do not think
it necessary to menace any one. believe
that straightforward, manly negotiation
should be gone into between these three
|
grace to our civilization and Christianity
if we could not agree upon some mode of
government for those islands. Whatever
the newspapers may say there is nothing
in the situation that would justify on the
part of either nation breach of the peace
until every effort is exhausted to bring
about an equal and peaceful settlement of
the controversy. First we want to assert
and maintain our right to station at
Pago-Pago and nobody will call that rightin
question; next, we ought to do what we
promised to do-employ our good offices
| to settle the difficulties of this people.
| Therefore, l am willing to vote any sum
of money to ena BILE the President to con-
| duct negotiations, to make surveys of the
harbors and to get better information in
relation to those islands. am willing to
vote the sum named in the amendment
$500, 000-and place it at the discretion of
Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Harrison, and l have
no doubt that the power thus given-to
send agents there and to send ships there
will bring about proper solution Of
| this small controversy"