The Portland daily press., 1889-02-01
PASSED WITHOUT A DIVISION
The Appropriation Rlil Amendments
Concerning Samoa.
Southern Methods ExempIifIed In
John clayton's Murder.
Various Matters Of interest In the
National Capital.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3i.-The House
amendments to the bill to increase the pen
sions Of those who lost both hands was re-
ported back fayorably and concurred In.
Mr.. Chandler offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, calling on the Secretary Of
the Treasury for information as to the pro-
ceeds paid into the treasury under the cap
tured and abandoned act. Consideration
was then resumed on the diplomatic and con-
sular appropriation bill, the pending ques-
tion being the amendment referring to Sa-
moa. Mr.. Reagan offered an amendment to
insert the words ''and for the protection Of
the rights of American citizens residing in
said islands, and to preserve the neutrality
and independence thereof"
Mr.. Hale said he would not object to the
first clause of the proposed amendment, but
he was not willing for the Senate to declare
affirmatively that it would preserve the neu-
trality or maintain the independence Of any
people. The matter might be safely left to
the Executive.
Mr.. Sherman agreed with the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Frye did not agree with Mr.. Sherman
that no wrongs had been committed In Sa-
moa against American citizens. He thought
the evidence conclusive that wrongs had
been committed on them, but, that
Senator from Texas would not insist
on the amendment now. The two amend
ments did comprise all that Congress ought
to do. 1t was nothing but German trading
firm that had absolute and supreme power
man Consul received his orders from It, He
doubted whether Germany had any under
standing Of what had really been going on
at those islands for the last two or three
years. The King Of Samoa was friendly TO
the United States, and the enmity Of the
entirely from the fact that he was friend OF
the United States. The Germans had with
out authority and with one Of the grayest
Insults ever committed against the United
States, deliberately made king Of rebel,
Tamasese. IL he was recognized as king.
one OF his first acts, under the Instructions
Of the German trading firm, would be to
give notice for the abrogation Of the treaty
with the United States.
Mr.. Sherman took the ground that the
United States could not be divested Of its
right in Pago Pago harbor by the abrogation
Of the treaty.
Mr. Frye disagreed from that View. II
ten years had run out without the Unitec
States having availed itself of its rights un-
der the treaty, 1t was clear to him that the
IuOu6nt nOIlc6 was given Oh tn6 termlnatlOn
Of the treaty, the rights of the United States
ceased. The real question at issue today
between the United States and the Empire
of Germany was not necessarily before the
Senate for discussion under these two items
the appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hale was willing to leave with the ad-
the conduct Of all proceed
ings as to the relations between this country
and the Samoan Islands. Whatever rights
we have there, should be firmly protected
and insisted upon, and not given up. In
view of the letter Of Prince Bismarck TO the
envoy in Washington, he believed
that whatever had been done In the Islands
Of Samoa was in the direction Of German
and German Intervention, and
had been the act of the German government
and in pursuance Of policy. He hoped
wise course would be pursued, and we should
not be involved In steps leading to great and
teplorable results. unless 1t was clear the
rights OF American citizens had been inter-
Tered with.
The amendments were agreed to. without
division.
The amendment raising to the rank Of am
bassadors. ministers to England, France,
Germany and Russia was rejected; yeas, 25;
nays, %; and the bill passed.
The Senate at 6.15 adjourned.