Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-23
THE SAMOAN TREATY.
Secretary Blaine Tells of the Instructions
Given the munissiOners-SubJeets
that Were Considered.
lBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l

WASHINGTON, d. c.. January 22.-The
Senate to-day in secret session resolved To
make public the Samoan treaty negOlla-
ton in Berlin last spring, which mas
already been published, and the protocols
showing the result Oteach day meeting OF
the commissioners. In transmitting the
treaty TO the Senate on January the 9th
The President saws: 81 am pleased to find
in this general act an honorable, Just. and
equal settlement of the questions which
have arisen during the past few years De
tween the three Powers having treaty re-
latIons with and rights III the Samoan
Islands.
Secretary Blaine's letter &c the President
IL very long, He begins by Teclting the
fuct that IN a confidential communlcaV"h
to the Senate on February 9th last, Presi-
dont Cleveland gave reasons why the APP
pointment Of the Treaty Commissioners
should be left to the coming Admimstra-
ton. The Secretary then speaks OF the IN
structions given To- the commissioners, say
inc that we desired a speedy ana amlcaDie
settlement Of the Samoan question; that IL
maintained It's full equality or right III the
disposition of these questions. but was IN
fluenced rs much by an anxious oeSiIe 10
secureto people of Samoa the conditions
Of healthy. prosperous. and civilized HE,
and was bound to protect the interests OF
If, own citizens. and that the President
houed and believed that the result OF the
consultation would be TO prove that 1t was
not the wish OF any of the three Govern
ncnts to affect the rights OF the SnlhoahS;
The commissioners were also ihstr1c'eu
that the conference was 10 be regarded aS u
continuation of the efforts already made,
and not Us tho initiation OF new confer
cuce on another basis, lnasmuch rs 'he
United States could not admit the condl-
tions TO have been changed by any supse-
oueut occurrences in the South Paclhc
The subjects to which the commissioners
We're instructed fell under five heads:
First. They were directed to ask resto-
ration Of the status gro IN ORDER 10 IeihoNo
The disturbance caused 10y torclbie inter-
yentjnn of Germany and the deportation Of
Nalietoa. This was not to be an ultima
tun however, which would close the con-
second. The organization Of the stable
governmental system for the islands where
by native independence and AUTONOMY
should be preserved free from cohtroI Oh
the ponderating influence OF any ioIe'SH
Government. e,,,;,,s
Fourtb. Prohibition of the sale OF ire
arms aud alcoholic liquors: ,
Fifth. The question of municipal ad-
m,nistration of Apia as the foreign setue-
ment under due reservation OF extra tern-
Secretary Blaine says; The protocols OF
the several sessions herewith suDnl'teu
show the discussion which took place or
each of these important heads, ana inc
views Of three Governments thereon came
into harmony. The result is in the nam
entirely in accord with the Instructions I'M
der which the American plenipotentlaries
acted. II is proper to observe that the
matter in respect of which an agreement
seemed most difficult was restoration 10
status QUO, the formation of a stable govern
ment without preponderance OF influence
on the part of any Of the treaty powers
and the issue Of revenue Tor the maihVe-
nance Of that government.
AS 10 the first of these points, the chiei
obstacle 70 an unqualified renewal OF the
status which issued when the conferences
Of Washington were being held was round
in the reluctance OF Germany TO admit
such situation as would appear TO leave
Mataafa. against whom she had declared
war. eligible for the free choice Oh tne
natives asking. Ii it contidentiaiiy puo-
| lished that the final accord removes these
difficulties, and the Samoans themselves,
| in the exercise Of the freedom which they
are TO continue to enjoy, appear TO have
effected practical solution OF the matter.
On the second point, the danger OF the
preponderating influences Oh the part OF
nny one of the three Powers Is obvlated
hy taking . chief fozelgn adviser aud ludes