Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-28
SAMOA AND HAWAII.
Return and Resignation Of Commissioner
Orrisbee.


Orrisbee.
| The Secretary of State has received the re.
signxtion Of Mr.. z. J. Ormsbee of Vermont a.
L. S. commissioner to Samoa. who was ap-
pointed to that Office in November. 1891. to fil
the vacancy caused By the resignation Of Mr..
Henry c. Ide Of Vermont. On his way home
. Mr.. Ormsbee stopped a. the Hawaiian Islands
, and says Of the situation there:
II was in Honolulu on March 9. Everything
was quiet there at that time and the United
States flag was flying from most of the flag
stafs. L spent the afternoon with Minister
Stevens and Consul Severance. Both were ex-
trenely hopeful OF annexation and at that time
had not heard OF the action of the present ad-
mlnistration in Withdrawing the treaty. They
talked OF nothing but annexation and could not
doubt that the movement would be successful.
There is a general feeling there among all resi-
dents. exclusive OF natives and English. tina:
annexation 70 the United States would be most
desirable. There is no doubt but the deposed
queen and her followers favor England and will
oppose the annexation movement While there
heard nothing TO justify the statements that
the revolution was the result OF plot on the
part of those interested in sugar. Minister
Stevens said that if annexation followed it
would not result in any Particular benefit to
the sugar interests. 1t would be of great bene-
fl TO all kluds of business and diversity of
Mr.. Stevens spoke decidedly about this and
gave me strong impression that the sugar in
te-ests wouid not De potent in the affairs of the
islands. English agents are at work there at
tempting to raise feeling against annexation.
They spending money freely and are of
course. backed by the deposed queen and her
party. The majority OF the people there desire
annexation. They want territorial govern
ment and from all saw and heard l think it
would be the right step for this country to
take.
AT Samoa the work Of the board of land
commissioners is going rapidly on. The joint
treaty between the United States. England and
Germany. ratified on June H. 1859. allowed two
wears for the presentatio: of the land Claims OF
all a,-en residents. The work was to be con-
Guided by June, 1893. 1t will be imr ossible to
complete 1t before 1895 with the mos. rapid
work the commission can do There have been
1906 claims filed, of which 1870 have been re-
ported on. The aggregate of all Inc claims
filed amounts to 100000 more acres of land
than the entire group OF islands contains. 1t is
expected rhat the interested persons will unite
ard extend the time for the work of the COM
mission at least two years. Ny resignation is
row in the hands of President Cleveland. came
home on leave of absence OF sixty
days. and by the time that expires l suppose
nv successor will be appointed. Great Britain
is repi esented by Bazett VI. Haggard. brother
of Rider HaggarG. the English novelist, and
o. ire commission. Our headquarters we're at
Apia. on the Island Of Upoiv. the largest OF the
group. 1t is the only port of entry and is
whsre the white population is centered. Malie
toa has his residence there. as well as his seat
OF government. which is called Muii Muu, and
Is on a peninsula about eight miles west The
rival chieI Maiaafa has set up an establishment
but there has yet been no collision between
them.
The United States coaling station. Fago
PaSo, is on the Island OF Tutuila. about sew
eE;y miles east OF Apia. l regard this sta
ton OF extreme importance 10 me United
States. If this could be preserved ard pro-
tec@ei and made seca-e think al other interest
IN TIE islands Is purely sentimental. They do
not affect the United States in the Least: The
natives, who number about $4,000, are very
fond Of this government ard grateful Tor what
Ii has done for them. The Samoans have no
ambition 20 be other than they are