The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-24
SAMOAT TO BE FOUGHTF0R
THIS COUNTRY PLEDGED TO UP
HOLD THE AUTONOMY.

Senator sSherman Introduces an
Amendment to the Consular APP
preparation Bill in Consequence
Germany Sends Reinforcements to
Her Fleet-Rumors of an Anglo
German Understanding.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-In the Senate
this morning Mr.. Sherman from the COM
mittee on foreign relations reported the
following amendments to the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill, designed
to protect the interests of the United States
IN the Samoan islands:
For the execution Of the obligations and the
protection of the interests of the United States
existing under a treaty between the United
states and the government OF the Samoan
Islands $50, 900, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, is to be expended under direction of
the President, this appropriation TO be immedi-
ately available; for the survey, improvement
and occupation Of the bay and harbor OF Pago-
pago, in the island of Tutuilla, Samoa, and for
the construction of the necessary wharves and
buildings for such occupation and for a coaling
station there, under direction of the President,
$lOO,OOO this appropriation to be Immediately
available
The Secretary of State today received q
cable message from Acting Consul Black
lock at Apia, Samoa, by way of Auckland,
New Zealand, saying that large fire re-
Gently occurred on the island and that the
German consulate was among the buildings
destroyed. He adds tn t the fire was un-
doubtedly accidental. No other details ar o
given.
DUTY, OF THIS GOVERNMENT.
Senator Sherman made no statement of
the views of the committee upon the pro-
posed amendments at the time they were
offered, but it is learned that the committee
were of the opinion that under the terms of
the treaty with Samoa it is the duty of the
United States to intervene by force if
necessary to protect the autonomy of the
islands against the aggressions of
any power The treaty was made
by Secretary of State Evarts and NJ K.
Lamamea, and declared in force Feb. 13.
1878. Article V reads: "If unhappily any
differences should have arisen or shall here
after arise between the Samoan govern
ment and any other government in amity
with the United States, the government of
the latter will employ its good offices for
the purpose of adjusting these differences
upon satisfactory and solid foundation"
"Ihen the amendments to the consular
bill mean that the President is to send a
fleet of war ships or any other force he
may deem necessary to protect the Samoan
government and to relieve the people from
the danger of warT was asked one of the
THAT is exactly what they mean," was
the answer.
1t is understood that the committee were
unanimous i'll support of the amendments
AS SEEN FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT.
The republican members OF the Senate
committee on foreign relations seem to have
determined to preclpitate a debate on the
Samoa policy Of the administration, rather
than to adopt some practical declarations
of the will of congress Instead of declaring
war on German, directly or indirectly, they
propose to declare war on our own govern
ment, The proceeds of the conflict are to be
added to their stock Of political capital. To
that end they have brought in two amend
ments to the diplomatic appropriation bill
which Is to be considered in the Senate
early next week-which seem to be devised
chiefly for the purposes Of debate.
Mr.. Frye is to do the talking, aided by
Messrs. Sherman and Dolph. The story of
Samoa, as told to the committee by Consul
General Sewell, with you hful ardor, has
fired Mr.. Fryes Imagination, and he will
make the Senate chamber ring. So far,
however. he has not apparently been able
to find that our treaty obligations require
us to do anything more than our govern
ment has been doing, namely, to exercise
our good offices" to adjust the disputes of
the Samoaps with the Germ ns. As to the
yet developed before the committee shows
that they have been neglected by the ad-
ministration.
INDEPENDENCE NOT MENACED.
BERLIN, Jan. 23.-The National Zsitunq,
in discussing the governments colonial
policy, declares that the independence of
neither Zanzibar nor Samoa is menaced by
Germany. All that is contended for is the
preservation of the rights acquired by the
Germans in those regions. In Samoa the
intrigues of Americans. who are violating
existing treaties, have to be guarded
against.
The Cologne Gazette says it has reliable
authority for the statement that Germany
and England are negotiating on the Samoan
question in spirit Of mutual understand
ing, and that all reports to the contrary are
incorrect.
MALIETOA'S WHEREABOUTS.
LONDON, Jan. 23.-A dispatch from
Sydney, N. S. w, says that the German
gunboat Olga has taken Malietoa, ex-King
of Samoa, to the Marshall Islands.