New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-10
PRICE THREE CENTS
GRESHAM SPEAKS AGAIN.
THIS TIME HE WANTS TO GIVE UP
SAMOA.
HE THINKS THE UNITED STATES HAS OBTAINED
NO "CoMPENsATING ADVANTAGE FROM
THE TRIPARTIrE AGREEMENT.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TgIBCyE.l

Washington, May 9.-Secretary Greshans long
delayed letter in reply to Mr.. Gray's resolution
of inquiry about this countrys relations with
Samoa reached the Senate this afternoon.
Warned by the unfortunate experiences OF tho
Administration In seeking TO reverse the actions
and policies Of its predecessors in Hawaii. Mr..
Gresham seems rather reluctant and wary about
urging an open abandonment OF the tripartite
arrangement under which affairs in the Samoan
Islands controlled by the United States
Great Britain and Germany. The desire OF the
Administration to see such retreat effected 10
limited at however, plainly that to the
cuckoo element in Congress it will probably
have all the force of an authoritative command
The communication referred to the Commit.
tee on Foreign Relations but there is little like.
lhood Of any acton being taken upon Its sus-
gestion in the crowd of more pressing business
with which the Senate will be overwhelmed Tor
several months to come.
The letter presents general survey OF the re-
lations of the United States to Samoa. both be-
fore and since the conclusion OF the general act
Of Berlin ito exhibit the policy we have pursued
toward the islands in respect to Its character ana
results"
This DUTY" Mr. Gresham says, is especially
important. since 1t Is in our relations to Samoa
that we have made the first departure from our
well-estabshed policy Of avoiding entangling
alliances with foreign powers. Like all other
transactions, its wisdom must be tested by its
fruits. If the departure was justified there must
be some evidence Of detriment suffered before
it's adoption, or Of advantage since gained, to
demonstrate the fact II such evidence can
be found confronted with the serious
responsibility Of having. without sumcent
grounds imperilled q policy which Is not only
coeval with our Government, but TO which may
in great measure be ascribed the peace, inc
prosperity, and the moral influence OF the United
States"
Reviewing at some length the history Of our
relations TO Samoa, the Secretary says I'VE
look in vain for any compensatng advantage.
So far the departure from our early ana con-
seryatiye policy had 81 ioduced any appreciate re-
suit it had been Of unmtigated disadvan-
tage II certainly cannot be maintained that
the condition OF the natives was improved ny our
Interference On the other hand. no interest OF
our own had been promoted. In the year 1881,
while we were exercising our good offices In be-
half Of the native government and AFTER our new
policy had been in operation for nearly hftee1
years the reports for the consular district OK
Apia show that oat of 229 merchant vessels that
arrived there. only six were American, ard the
cargoes they imported were valued at less than
$50 600 Nor has our trade been increased by
the relations that we have since assumed. on
June Il. 1sS9 there concluded the General
Act of Berlin. for the neutrality and autonomous
government OF the Samoan Islands. "
He gives A synopsis Of the provisions OF the
General Act detailing the duties Of the courts
and officers. and adds:
ut is obvious that the machinery thus de-
vised for the government Of the islands is in
accurately styled an autonomous government
and IL Is explained that this so-calied 'autono-
nous government Is more than a joint pro-
tectorate 1t is In substance and In form q
tripartite foreign government. imposed upon the
natives and supported and administered Jointly
by the three treaty powers. Such Is the
rangement to which the United States. In the
pursuit of It's policy, has committed itself
for the purpose Of securing the so-called neutral
ity OF these distant islands; and up to the
present time" the Secretary says in conclusion,
the treaty powers have been compelled 10 con-
tinue their pecuniary support 10 their joint gov
ernment. only In the execution OF specific pro-
visions Of the General Act. but also In the
emergencies that have arisen in its enforcement"