New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-25
TO STAND BY THE FLAG.
AMERICAN RIGHTS IN SAMOA WILL BE MAIN
TANNED.

AMERICAN RIGHTS IN SAMOA WILL DE- maiI'
TANNED.
OPINIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AF'
PAIRS COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE
washington, Jan. 24.-secretary whitney oeciinoo
n De interviewed to-day in regard to the puphcanon
IN the sNorth German Gazette regarding inc
samoan situation. The policy Of the Government
he said, was fixed, and anything which migh' oe
s,sd IN regard 10 It must come from the State Depart
.rt Tha NAVY Department. had jurisdiction
over the matter, except Of an executive character
No new orders the Secretary said, had been issued
nv tbs Navy Department In regard 70 Samoan anslrS
senator Edmunds when made acquainted with the
NOR Of the utterancss Of the "Gazetfe SAD
puose Il Bismarck wants 20 express his opinion
apon any subject he feels at perfect hoor'J 10 W
so but also suppose that the expression OF suon
an ontnion viii not serve TO deter the American
people from carrying any policy they may ADOPT
A. desirable or necessary The Samoan ISLANDS are en-
the highway of commerce across the PACING Vcesn'
and are Of great importance With relation 10 ue
development Of the trade via the projected cana's
across the Isthmus Of Panama and across Nicssssua
m a mower whose ships are sent on long cruises
the establishment Of coalng stations is necessity
and the location of one the central island Oh the
samoan group, as provided for in the proposod
amendment 20 the Diplomatic Consular Appropriation
bill reported by the Committee on Foreign AHaars'
Is looked upon as ono of great Importance TO US"
Senator Brown of Georgia. said that IN view OF MS
uosit1cn as member OF the Foreign Relations Com
r,ttee he rreferred not to say anything in regard
10 the Samoan question at its present stage when
The matter matuied he said no would be perfectly
wiling 10 talk about It.
senator Morgan, of Alabama, talked quite freely on
tho subject "The details Of the troubles In Samoa"
he said are matters of dispute at present, and It
10 dfreu 1r0uf
of Germany's action until in fun possession
OF all the facts Tho Administration has been active
I'm asserting our rights IN Samoa and Congress has
shown a strong determination TO support the Admins
traitor in any action looking TO The preservation Of
the independence OF the islands and the protection of
American interests there think the steps already
taken win prove adequate to the emergency, and ]
am perfectly satisfied that whatever rights have
viii be faithfully protected We have always p1r-
gued conserv atve course in respect to these Islands
and have always endeavored to maintain their neu'
trality. / am confident that shall maintain what
ever rights We may have in that quarter The
United states has coiorial policy, and while we
are of course DESTROYS Of keeping our commerce open
with all tho world we do not, like Germany. desire
10 extend our National Jurisdiction While there may
be some question as to the capacity OF tho natives o.
Samoa 10 maintain good government, It is certain thai
none Of the great maritime powers of tho world has
any right TO usurp that power TO Itself. We have
material interests In thcso anu 'oiof"'s
no act on tie part of another power which VIII In
terfere with our free commerce with them"
Senator Frye at first was reluctant to be interviewed
further in regard 10 affairs, but finally con-
sented al think said he, our treaty rights are
such in Samoa that permit the Independence
of Samoa to be taken away from her. II Germany
can put Governor who Is nothing but tool Of her
own into power in Samoa they compel them al
once 10 give notice 20 the United States TO terminate all
cur treaties and after notice they could be terminated
In year. I think the treaties the whole, taker
together do guarantee fbe independence Of Samoa
4 think Bismarck in all Of his dispatches, has
indicated that this Is his idea Of IT,"
DO you regard the situation as threaseningp
IL think the ldca OF was is as absurd as IL possibly
can be-
Senator DoIph was Iiizewise at first reluctant t.
be quoted He said: ~ think the treaty between
sbe United states az the Samoan Government. which
was ratified b. aDdne treaties between that Govern
ment and Gvore Britain or Germany or any othel
civilized Governments we're negotiated, confcrs ppor
us rights and creates TO u.s. obligations which arr
Inconsistent with tho destruction OF the independence
and autonomy az the Samoan Government. do no
believe Tho Uuitcd States should will quietly permit
fhas to be done In the interests OF present and
eroat prospective IN the Pacific. the inde
pendence OF tho Sandwich and Samoan Islands should b
preserved. / do not think there IS any cause for Of
probability OF war;
Senator Payne, OIL OhlO Baiu fDat no JnougnI i
would be imprpdent for him to express any opinion
as n might enlbafrass the Government
such members Of the House Committee on Foreigl
Affairs as could be seen tonight were averse 10 dis
cussng freely the present state OF american relation
with Samoa in Wow OF the fact that the subject 4
now before tho committee. and they are expected I
communicate their views formally to the House 4
the shape Of report
Representative Russell, OF MASSACHUSETTS,. who wa
to-day designated member Of the sub-comm!tte
having the In charge, said that he really knes
little OF Samoan affairs. When told OF the position
fahen by The North German Gazette Mr. Russell
remarked that II matters should reach an extfem
point, don't believe We are going TO be eaten up b.
any European Power.n
He remarked III tocuiaF manner Chat the matter he
been referred 20 Subcommittee, and he had no douh
Nj Hit a leading Republican member Of the con-
mitfee was Inclined 10 take peaceful view Of th
situation He listened carefully 10 the reading
marked that he aid not notice that II contained any
thing that was untrue. There was skllfu play upo
words ~ would be observed upon reflection. Their
was no information IN bis possession TO the effect tina
The United states and Germany had by treaty bouD
fnemgeives 10 preserve samoan autonomy. Stll
breathed hostile spirit melted, no doubt by exal
rortcd accounts which Ind reached Berlin OF the fee
ne In America The fact Is SAID Mr. HIT, that "
Arr suffering for lack Of fDf0igDa0n The President
10 use hs term rclegated' the entire subject 10 Cor
eIess but unfortunately, tailed 70 transmit COP
i5nt a stases s'' England and Germany. Just whs
that agrcement IS or how e binds tpe uniioo Slate
nobody in Congress knows but u must be bad agree
net under whch tho present state OF alIsrs 70 SANG
has resulted 50 long ~ tbe country knows t1et "a
wise man Of both political paroles 10 The senate nss