Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-02-04
" ASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Satisfaction Over the Latest Phase
Of The Samoan Question.
DANGER OF WAR AVERTED.
an Interesting Review of the situation.
characteristics of onicers Sent to
samoa-Its Importance AS
ssation-other Matters.


Samoan Islands Commodore Walker says:
sGermany realized that she has been going
a little too fast, and Prince BisHnarck's action
factory settlement Of the entire question at
issue
Naval officers as a rule are in favor of
vigorous foreign policy, and would favor the
acquisition by the United States, not only of
the Samoan Islands, but of coaling and supply
stations on both the coasts of Africa and in
the West Indies OF all these localities, how
ever, they argue that none are more inn
portant 10 the United States than Samoa,
giving n harbor and coaling station in a
direct line between San Francisco and Aus
tralia. It is their hope that the result of the
Samoan difficulty viii be to give the United
States definite policy in its intercourse with
foreign powers.
Admiral Kimberly, the officer in command
81 the Pacific squadron, who is now on his way
TO Samoa in the u. $. S. Trenton, and is to
assume command Of the entire naval force at
the islands, is regarded as one of the best
equipped officers ia the navy for this service,
which win, for a time at least, be largely
diplomatic in its character. He was Admiral
Farragut's executive officer during the war,
and always had the full confidence of that
officer. He is at the same time firm and con-
servatiye, and while he would not allow him
self TO b. imposed ON, he is not a man who
would be likely to embarass the government
by hasty and rash action. Commander Null
len, who is in charge of the Nipsic. at present
at Samoa, Is also a man who has the full con-
hdence Of the department Admiral Kim
berry is expected to arrive at Apia with the
Trenton about the latter part of this week,
and the Nandalia is due from San Francisco
about the same time This will give the
United States the same number of vessels at
the islands that Germany has there, with
about twice as many men,
The Mohican and the storeship Monongahea
are nearly ready 10 leave San Francisco, and
viii probably get under way in few days.
The Monongahela will carry out a coal supply
for the fleet The Thetis, now at the Mare
Island yard, can be added to the feet if
necessary
MIR. Rayner, member of the house COM
mittee ON foreign affairs, says respecting the
feeling Of concern here in reference to Samoan
affairs: II do not think that in a case of this
sort we are bound to protect neutrality or
even the independence of Samoa We are
bound, however, to protect our own interests.
We have large interests there Samoa and
can commerce in the Pacific ocean. There
nro some twelve hundred inhabitable islands
in the Pacific ocean, and If any one glances
at the map, IL can be observed in a moment
how insiduousy steadily foreign governments
are creeping up the avenues of the continent.
The question as to Samoa resolves itself into
this: Are we bound to protect the independ-
ence Of these islandsg think not, and think
our state department has pursued a proper
policy in the matter.
ssAs yet Secretary Bayard has received no
Official notice that American citizens have
been injured in their rights or property.
Now, when we do receive notice of that fact
what are we TO dor Take decisive steps to
protect our rights This does not mean war
with Germany. | do not apprehend much
danger of that. 1t means, however, that we
will not enter upon conference after Ger
many has taken possession of the islands and
added them to its colonial possessions. If the
German government proceeds with the sub
version of the islands and the destruction of
American interests then, of course, we must
protect them Our self respect as a nation
demands that, but it viii never reach
this point if Germany finds we are in
earnest.
1--WE have had no general meeting yet of
the committee upon the subject but from all
] can learn, the action of the administration
win be satisfactory to the people,
Secretary Bayard said that he had not yet
received Prince BisinarciSs proposition for a
conference in regard to Samoan affairs, but
that he thought it would arrive in few days
through the German minister here. The sec
rotary said: There is one thing that think
ought to be made clear in regard TO Prince
Bismarck's instructions TO the German consul
10 withdraw his demand for control of the
islands, and that is this: The communication
of Bismarck to Count Arco, the German min
lister, announcing his action, anticipated my
telegram to Minister PVndleton saving that
the United States would not recognize the
martial law declared by the German consul
II was, therefore, not reply TO my telegram,
but an anticipation. In other words Prince
Bismarck sent his message TO Count Arco be-
fore Mr.. Pendleton received the message from
men
A NEW NATURALIZATION BILL
The house judiciary committee completed
bin 10 amend the naturalization laws of
the United States. Itprovides that no alien
who has ever been convicted of a felony or
other infamous crime, involving moral tur-
pitadp, Anarchist and polygamist, or who
cannot speak the English language, shall be
aajnaged capable Of being naturalized The
methods ~ which naturalization are to be
acquired are similar 10 those now in force
False swearing is made punishable by a fine
not exceeding 81 900, or Imprisonment not
exceeding five years, or both. A RESTRICTIONS
inserted limiting the right of aliens to ac-
uuire public land to homestead only, and the
privilege to participate in the benefits of the
naturalization laws is extended to Indians
who renounce tribal relations.
TFgE OKLAHOMA BILL DOOMED
John Bushy head, ex-governor of the Cher
okee nation. the Cherokees being the tribe
mainly affected by the passage OF the Okla
homa BILL states that the president has as
salred him that he win veto any bill that
conflicts with any treaty stipulations now
existing between the government Of the
JniEed States and any Indian tribe. The