Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Samoa Matter MonopOlizes the
Attention OF the Senate.
Reagan OF Texas Points out What he Thinks
Should be Done-Frye Takes Part
in the Discussion.
Fiftieth Congress.
THE SENATE.

passage OF few private bills the senate
resumed consideration of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill, the
pending question being on amendment
referring TO Samoa.
Mr.. Reagan offered an amendment
which he had indicated yesterday in
tended to insert the words 'sand for pro-
lection of the rights of American citizens
residing in said islands, and to preserve
the neutrality and independence
thereof -
a long and interesting debate ensued.
Mr.. Frye did not agree that no wrongs
had been committed III Samoa against
American citizens. He thought the evil
dence very conclusive that wrongs had
been committed on them, but that was
not at Issue, and he hoped the senator
from Texas would not insist on his amend
ment now.
Mr.. Reagan went on TO say he agreed
with Mr.. Frye that there was not
fourth-rate European power that would
have stood the insults which the
United States government has stood
from Germany. He was sorry, he
said, to see disposition TO shrink from
meeting the duty of the government. The
consular agent Of the United States at
Samoa, the officers and crews of the
American ships there, and the United
States citizens residing there, could not
fail to be Inundated by the fact that
their government had permitted Ger
many to trample upon their rights
and upon the rights of Samoa
i'll the face of treaty stipulations
and understandings. Instead of trying
to cover them mp wisdom and prudence
and the interests of the country required
facts to be met. IL the government of
the United States had assumed obliga-
tions to Samoa should execute them.
If ID owed duties to its citizens there it
should perform those duties. If the flag
of the United States had been insulted,
if property of the United States in Samoa
had been placed at the mercy of German
traders through the action OF the German
goYernmentthe fact ought to be recognized
and one of two things ought to be done
If the rights Of the United States were to
be abruptly abandoned, the American
consul ana commanders of American
ships ought to be called home and not
subjected to insult and degradation, and
whatever rights the United States had
there, ought to be abandoned; or else the
rights which belonged TO this country
ought to be asserted squarely and man
fully.
MIR. Frye added some remarks as to
the Importance of the harbor of PagO-
pagO to the commercial and other inter
ests of the United States on the Pacific
ocean, and then proceeded to read and
comment on the Associated press dispatch |
just received from Auckland, New Zea-
land. The dispatch and comments ran
along in this way:
"Advices from Samoa state German |
officials have given notice that all vessels !
arriving there will be searched for arti-
cles contraband of war; So that the |
right of search of American vessels |
Gf this dispatch is correct) is as |
serted by Germany. "They have sup |
pressed the Samoan Times If that is |
true then free speech is stopped in Samoa.
4 passenger on a British steamer who |
visited Mataafa s camp was Immediately |
put under arrest, but was subsequently |
released in compliance with the demand |
Of the British consul. If ne had been an
American 1 suppose it would not have
lone for the American consul to
have demanded his release. GA procla-
nation has been issued putting the 4Apia
police force under German control. Mat
lafa s followers number 5000. They are
strongly intrenched. Other Samoans
Ire rapidly joining them. On the arrival
# the steamer Richmond she was boarded
md searched for guns.
'EOf course, - Mr.. Frye continued,
I do not know whether the statements
n this dispatch are true. But if
hey are true, three assertions are
made by the Germans in Samoa. One is
he right of search of American vessels
going into the haTbOrs of a nation with
which we are in treaty relations. The
eeOnd is the suppression of free speech.
The other is assuming control of the po-
ice of Apia, municipality which, by
greement between Germany, England,
he United States and the Samoan king
vas made neutral ground. -
Mr.. Reagan In view of the remarks
f the senator from Maine, Mr.. Frye who
member of the committee on foreign
Citations. that it would be perhaps best
0 let the amendments pass as reported,
nd in view Of the fact that matters are
cry rapidly assuming such shape that
re shall probably have the question be-
ore us in another form very soon,
my amendment. -
Mr.. Hale expressed belief that German
in Samoa had been the direct
ct of the German government in pur-
uance of a settled policy on the part of
hat government.
The amendments were then agreed to
'ithOut division.
An amendment raising to the rank of
the ministers to England,
rance, Germany and Russia was re-
20; nays, %.
The bill was passed.
The credentials of Edward O. Wolcott,
enator- elect from Colorado, were pre-
suted and placed on file.
The senate then proceeded to exeeu-
We session on British extradition.
The senate spent four hours in consider
ton of the treaty. but adjourned leav-
lg it still pending.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81 Almost every
ask in the house was bedecked with red
lmbric parcels containing petitions in
lvor OF the Sunday rest bill, and in a
w moments after the house met the
etition box was overlooking with gaily
)lored documents.
On motion of Mr.. Hatch of Missouri,
aturday the 23d was set apart for con-
Iteration Of appropriate resolutions in