The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-06-29
Samoa Sent Two Enjoys to Wash
ington to Ask For 1t.
UNITED STATES ONCE IN CONTROL.
The Story IL fold by Hon. 4. w. Seward.
Ex-Assistant Secretary OF Siate-The
Bible ~ a Text Book-Ihe Value of
Pago Pago Harbor.

Sir: "Go forth, my son." said Chan
cellor Oxenstiern to the young Dip
lomatist. "Go forth and see with how
little wisdom the world is governed ~
II young Oxenstiern could have lived
till now, and have extended his
travels to Washington, he would
have found fresh illustration of the
correctness of the Chancellor's re-
mark.
During the Administration Of Presi-
dent Hayes there ca lie to the Depart
ment Of State two ENJOYS from the
Samoan Islands. One was an Ameri-
can resident there, and the other q
fine looking, intelligent native, who
had held a place in the island Govern
| ment corresponding to that Of Minister
of Foreign Affairs, When it fell
within the scope Of my official duties
to receive and converse with him,
remarked the purity and correctness
of the English he spoke, and asked
how he had learned it. He replied
that his chief text book for the study
of the language had been the Bible,
and that his instructors were the
American missionaries. He and his
colleague had come with friendly
overtures from the islanders, and
were ready to proffer or accede to
! whatever would best promote closer
commercial aud political relations
with tue United States; even 10 tue
extent of protee;oiate or cession.
The Samoans had found the Ameri-
can Government just, liberal and
kind in its dealings with them. They
dreaded the encroachment of Euro
pean merchants and adventures,
which might, sooner or later, obtain
the backing of the British and Ger
man Governments.
The President, Secretary of State,
Dir. Evarts and other members of his
Administration regarded the Samoan
overtures with favor. The Navy De-
partment had long perceived the de-
STABILITY and importance of a naval
station among the Pacific islands for
coaling and repairs of United States
vessels and the protection of Ameri-
can commerce. Lacking such sta
tions, they had seen American COM
merce sweit out of the Pacific by
British-built cruisers carrying the
Confederate flag.
that time averse to the acquisition of
any island territory, and had so man
ifested itself in regard to st. Thomas
and San Domingo. Inquiry among
Senators and Congressman showed
that no treaty would be approved that
should call for the payment of public
money, or should bind the United |
States TO exert its naval or military
force to protect the privileges ac-
quired.
The ENJOYS were reasonable and |
pr actical, and Were soon led to COM |
prehend the situation. After MANY |
they agreed that the isl
ands would cede to the United States
their finest harbor, that of Pago- Page,
for naval and coaling station, and
would ask nothing in return except
the mutual good Will and internation-
a intercourse that might reason ably
be expected to follow such transac-
ton. 1t is among the pleasant MEM
ories of my official life that partici-
p lted in the preparation of that treaty.
II was duly slgned-the respective
being Mr., Evarts,
the Secretary of State, in behalf of
The United States, and the Samoan
u. |
Il was confirmed and ratified without
we're sent out to Psgo Page to make
surveys and take possession.
The delay excited much less COM
nent or criticism in the United States
han 1t did in Europe-for European
statesmen were quick TO perceive the
advantage our country had gained.
Efforts were Immediately begun to
acquire similar or cOunterbalancing
ldvantages for Germany and Great
Britain. This proved difficult, for the
Samoans had already given US their
)est harbor, and besides were appre-
lensive and distrustfui of European
domination.
Iuent negotiations, intrigues and
vars, during successive years, in
which the European residents or rep
esentatives sought to get event.
With the United States. Finally, the {
Berlin Treaty, providing for tripart- ,
te protectorate, was acceded to by our
in the hope and belief
hat it would be for the benefit of the I
amoans, and would preserve peace {
mong them, while retaining Pago- ,
ago HarbOr for the United States.
Now, it seems,it is proposed that we
hall withdraw entirely and give up 1
he long-coveted advantages to Ger {
1sny and Great Britain. The exulta-
ion manifested by the press in those
shows that they regard the
roposal in its true light. 1t will be
7eak and foolish surrender of valu-
BILE vested right. We shall desert a
-iendly people, who have placed their
onfidence in this Republic, and shall
urn them over to the tender mercies
a couple OF European monarchies.
ltent upon the extension of their
power. We shall get no
hanks for our surrender, and will de-
srve none.-LNew York Tribune.