, 1889-02-01
INSULT TO INJURY.
'N0OEf to INIUNI.
More Meddling by Germans at
Samoa.
The Steamer Richmond Boarded
and Searched
Discussion of the Situation in
the Senate.
In the Senate.

Corea, presented in the mouse Yesterday,
was read and referred to the committee ON
foreign relations.
The amendments to the bill to increase
thep pensions OF those who lost both hands
we're reported back favorably and con-
Cured in.
The senate her resumed consideration
of the diplomatic and consular appropria-
tlou bull, the pending question being on
the amendment referring to Samoa.
RegaD offered an amendment to insert
the words and for the protection of the
rights OF American citizens residing on
said islands and preserving the neutrality
and independence hereof
Hale objected to the last clause. He
said the senate should not declare its in
tention to preserve the neutrality or main
tain the Independence of any nation.
That was for the executive.
Sherman agreed with Hale, saying that
the words proposed to be inserted weak
ened rather than strengthened the state
ment OF the matter. 1t was Fourth of
July" language. No American had been
hurt SO far.
Frye did not agree with Sherman that
no wrongs had been committed III Samoa
against American citizens. He thought
the evidence very conclusive that wrongs
had been committed on them. But that
was not at issue, and he hoped the sena-
tor from Texas would not insist on his
amendment now. 1t did not comprise
what congress ought to do. The remarks
from the senator from Texas came very
much nearer to it than the report Of
the committee. 1t was not Ger
many, it was not Bismarck,
it was nothing but a German trading
firm. That firm had absolute and SUI
preme power to-day over the Samoan ISL
ands and the German consul received his
orders from it. Germans had without any
authority and with one OF the gravest in
suits ever committed against the United
States deliberately elevated to power and
made king u rebel-Tamasese. And who
had the Samoan chief behind him? Not
one. Tamasese was nothing but a pup
pet in the German trading firms hands.
If he were permitted to be established
aud were recognized as king one of his
first acts under the instructions of the
German trading firm would be to give the
necessary notice Tor the ~abrogation of the
treaty OF the United States and the har-
Dor of Pagopago would be utterly lost to
the United States. In his judgments the
amendments reported by the committee
on foreign relations did not bring up the
real Samoan question.
The real question at issue between the
United States and Germany was not
necessarily before the senate for discussion
under these two items of appropriations,
nor in his judgmcuC was the senate ready
to day for the discussion. He expected
to see the dav come, and ere long, when
there would be a proposition before the
senate that would bring up the full ques-
ton of the difference at issue between
the United States and Germany. The
testimony of Consul General Sewall was
still Il secret document and until it was
made public the real question could not
be properly discussed. There is not a
fourth rate power in Europe which had
been a party to the conference with Ger
many IS to the autonomy and indepen-
dence of Samoa, and il Germany, pend
ing the conference and without notice,
deliberately ordered her ships of war to
violate that autonomy and independence
it would have not risked its life on the
demand for a restoration of the statu
quo.
Regain agreed with Frye's sentiments.
He was sorry to see a disposition to shirk
from meeting the duty of the govern
ment. The consular agent OF the United
States at Samoa, officers and crews of
American ships there, and United States
citizens residing there, could not fail to be
Inundated by the tact that their govern
ment permitted Germany to trlmp!e
upon their rights and upon the rights of
Samoa in the face of treaty stipulations
and UNDERSTANDINGS instead of trying to
cover them up. Wisdom and prudence
and the interests of the country REQUIRED
the facts to be met. If the government
Of the United States had assumed "hjec
tons to Samoa it should cxcautc
them. If it owed duties to her
citizens then it should perform
those duties. If the flag of the United
States had been insult"d, if the roperty
of United States citizens in Samoa had
been placed at the mercy of German
traders through the action OF the German
government, the fact ought to be recog
Dized and one Of two things ought to be
done. II the rights d. the United States
were TO be abruptly abandoned the Amer
lean consul and commanders OF American
ships ought to be called home and not be
subjected to insult and degradation and
whatever rights the United States had
there ought to be abandoned or else the
TlPnlS WHlCH utlOlESl W IuiS CUunt1y
ought to be asserted sqnarely and man
fully.
Frye added some further remarks as to
the importance of the harbor of Pogapoga
to the commercial and other interests of
the United States on the Pacific ocean
and then proceeded to read and comment
upon the Associated Press dispatch Just
received from New Zealand. The dis.
patch and comments ran along in this
way:
AUCKLAND, Jan. 3l.-Advices from
Samoa state that German officials have
given notice thas all vessels arriving there
will be searched for articles contraband OF
war. They have suppressed the Samoan
Times A passenger on the British
steamer Warnui who visited Mataafa's
camp was placed under arrest. but was
subsequently released in compliance with
the demand of the British consul. A
proclamation has been issued placing the
Apia police force under German control.