The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-01-23
RIGHTS OF THE sAMoAys


political ambition by territorial extern
sion on the part of the treaty powers The
commissioners were also instructed that
the conference was to be regarded as a
continuation of the old conference on
another basis, inasmuch as theUnited States
could not ADMIT the conditions to have
been changed by any subsequent occur
rences in the Southern Pacific.
The subjects, as to which the commits
sioners we instructed,
ARE UNDER FIVE HEADS.
1.-They were directed to ask the res
toration of the statutes of status quo. in
order to remove the disturbance caused by
the forcible intervention of Germany. and
the deportation of Malietoa. This was not
| to be, however, an ultimation which would
close the conference.
2-The organization of stable govern
mental system for the islands, whereby
native independence and autonomy should
| be preserved free from control or pre-
ponderating influence of any foreign gov
eminent.
3-The adjustment of land claims.
THE prohibition of the sale of fire
arms and alcoholic drinks.
5-The question of the municipal ad-
ministration of Apia as a foreign settle
ment under due reservation of extra terri
| torial rights.
THE PROTOCOLS SUBMITTED.
The secretary says: The protocols of
several sessions, herewith submitted,
show the discussion which took place on
each of these important heads, and Indicate
the successive stages by which the views
of the three governments thereon came
into harmony. The result is, in the main,
entirely in accord with the instructions un-
der which the American plenipotentiaries
acted.
1t is proper to observe that the matters
| in respect to which the agreement seemed
most difficult, were the restoration of a
status quo formation of the stable govern
ment, without preponderance of influence
on the part of any of the treaty powers,
and the raising of revenue for the mainte-
nance of that government. AS to the first
of these points, the chief obstacle to the
unqualified renewal of the status quo was
found in the reluctance of Germany to
admit of such a situation, as it would APP
| pear to leave Mataafa, against whom she
had declared war, eligible for free choice
of the natives as king. 1t is con fidently
believed the final record removes these
difficulties, and the Samoans themselves,
in the exercise of the freedom which they
are to enjoy, appear to have effected a
practical
SOLUTION OF THE MATTER.
On the second point, the danger of pre-
ponGerating influence on the part of any
one of the three powers is obviated by
taking the chief foreign adviser and Judge
f ON al neutral nation.
The revenue question has been adjusted,
with due regard to the limited resources of
the natives, and the obligation of the three
powers to share in the burden which, by
force of circumstances, it has been neces
sary to impose in the protection of their
common interests, and for the maintenance
of peace and order.
In conclusion, the secretary expresses
the hope that the actm may be conducive to a
good government in Samoa under native
authority and the lasting settlement of the
questions which agitated the three power;
in their complex relations to these islands