New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-31
CONGRESS AND SAMOA.
TWO SENATORS WHO WANT MALIEToA RE-
STORED.
NH. DoLPH AND Mr.. REAGAN GALL FOB THE
STATUS QUO IN THE PAcIFIc-No HALF.
WAY MEASURES, SAY THESE SENATOR'S


WAY MEASURES, SAY THESE SENATORS.
washington, Jan 3O--In tho Senate to-day the
samoan amendment to the Diplomatic and Consular
Dill was discussed Mr.. Dolph said that the question
was one OF special interest to the people Of the
racine Coast, and the discussion had proceeded 50
iar as to render further discussion desirable The
Vie"S which he would express would be his own In.
uNduai views. After a general description Of tho
ISLANDS, Mr. Dolph reviewed the history Of affairs
SINCE the United States Government first took an In
'erest IN tho samoan Islands and the recent occur.
rences. He spoke Of the treaty or convention OF
November, 1884, between Samoa and Germany, as one
which, II II had been executed would have substan-
TALLY secured to the German Government the entire
control of the islands.
Mr. Morgan remarked that that convention con.
aimed evidence absolutely convincing of the de-
termination Of Germany to acquire Jurisdiction and
power In Samoa; and that Germany would not have
abandoned It but for the pressure brought to bear BY
other interested Powers.
Mr. Dolph said that tho extensive provisions OF
that treaty, and the powers conferred by It on Ger
many werc entirely incompatible with the indo-
pendence and autonomy Of the native Government
ana were Inconsistent with American treaty rights
there but that az soon as the German feet sailed
away, the treaty had been repudated by Malietoa as
having been signed under protest
In the course Of his review, Mr. Dolph came to
the point where United States Consul Greenbsum had
raised the American flag the Samoan flag, in
the harbor Of Apla-an act which had been, he said,
promptly repudiaed by Mr.. Baysrd, and tho repuda-
ton notified to the German and English Governments
with suggestion TO protectorate.
Mr.. Morgan stated that Mr. Bayard had never
committed the United States Government to the
position that there should DO either a separate or
Joint protectorate over the islands-not believing
that protectorate was entirely consistent with
autonomy
Coming down 10 the conference at Washington in
July, 1887, Mr. Doph spoke Of agreement that
pending that conference tho status quo should
be observed; and Mr. Morgan asked him for his
authority for the statement that the German Govern
mont had agreed to observe the status quo.
Mr.. Dolph replied that there may have been no
such special agreement but that tho observance of
the status quo was necessarily implied.
Mr.. Morgan agreed as to It's being necessarily I'm
Piled but said that II It had not been reduced TO
writing, and made matter Of positive agreement,
then the violation Of tho status quo by Germany was
not breach Of faith, but discourtesy That was
the point which he wanted to get at-whether there
duty resting on the United Safes Government
to vlndcaie rs rights and character
Mr.. Dolph said:
Our interests and our rights and our duty 90 a
nation In reference Samoan Islands, rest in my
Judgment broader principle than anything arising
OF the conference or OF the treaty with the
Samoan Islands. Of the treaties OF other Eu-
ropean Governments with them. As proceed shall
develop the grounds upon which ] think the United
States should nteres: tselt IN Samoan affairs. l do
not propose At this time crhciso the action Of the
German Government. IL is In accordance with the
policy Of European Governments the policy Of acquisi
on which has prevailed until almost ell the islands Of
the Pacific Ocean have partitiOncd between them
Coming down to tho specific amendments, Mr..
Dolph said he could hardly conceive why the Govern
ment should spend 100000 in establishing a coallng
station a. Pago-Pago unless the Government should
Insist that all It's rights TO continue. II Con
gess were 10 interfere in tho matter something very
different from the pending amendments would be re-
quiSd II he were asked what that was to be, he
should say that Congress should direct the President TO
insist upon a restoration by tho German Government
Of tho status quo at the time Of the Washington
conference and TO notify the German Government
that the United States would not permit the Samoan
Islands 10 pass under the control OF any foreign
nation and that their independent autonomy must be
maintained He good reason why, II neces-
sary, and II requested by the Samoan people, an
American protectorae should moi DO established over
tnsm and that he said. would DO entirely different
Powers on the continent OF Europe.
Mn Eusts asked Mr. Dolph whether the same
that applied 10 the extension of the Monroe
Doctrine to the Sandwich Islands applied equally
strong % Us extension b the Samoan Islands.
no distinction between both cases. The Samoan
Islands bore the same relation TO southern California
that the Sandwich Island bore 10 Northern California.
Mr. Reagan Joke OF the feebleness' Of tho meas
proposed and proceeded 90 review the whole
question. Keverting 70 the documents that havo
been published, Mr.. Reagan declared that Amer
citizen could read the correspondence without
feeling humiliation 60 the rights of the United
States brutay oveTldden and trOdden down by Ger
subaltefns, while the German Prime Minister
was protesting friendship and desire TO maintain
proper relations with the Government OF the United
states. Ills purpose was, he said, 10 call attention
70 the fact that the proposed amendment too Zee
bic 10 answer the purpose. IL too feeble 10 vim
dlcae the rights OF the American people In the mat
ter. Mr.. Reagan said In conclusion
not In favor OF know TOO vel the ealami.
ties Of But the humiliation Of In the
face OF arrogant power is worse than war. would
give the President power 10 aetormne what rights
IN the matter and the power 70 assert those rights
way that could be mistaken. II We do this may
expect maintain rights and 70 that restoration Of
QUO. would suggest ire addition to tho pend
ING amendment q the words 'ana for the protection
the rights OF American cnIsns residing In said islands
and TO preserve the neutEay and independence OF their
people" Then will have said something. But II we
DO put In such declaration we leave the Pre
dent exactly where ho Is now-ln position where he
CARDS himself powerless vDdcate the rights Of the
United States.