The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-23
That Samoan Aer,ern sni

There has been a vast amount of dis
eussioh of the Communica ton recently
sent TO congress by the Secretary
of State ~ relative TO the agree
ment into which this country, Germany
and Great Britain entered in 1889 in re
spect to the management of the affairs of
Samoa and the failure to realize the re-
suits expected from it. The impression
gained from Secretary Gresham's state
ment is that the abrogation of the agree
ment would be good thing for us pro
vided assurance were given US that we
should have perman ent control of the har-
Dor Of Pago-Payo, which we now need
as ascoaling station, and for which we
shall have still greater need as our com
merce on the Pacific increases.
1t was the understanding when the
agreement was made that the purpose of
il was to secure much better govern
ment for Samoa and the steady improve
ment of the natives. 1t seems that
neither of these things has been secured.
The natives are divided into factions. and
under their respective leaders are twar
with each other much of the time Ger
many does not appear to have lived up to
the spirit of the agreement. The Ger
mans in the island do not show much re
spect for the rights of the natives, and
are succeeding in getting control of all the
lands that are worth having.
Secretary Gresham declares that our
commerce with Samoa does not amount
to more than 100000 year. and this he
thinks, does not sufficiently compensate US
for the worry annoyance and expense of
maintaining the agreement. Under Mr..
Cleveland S first administra tion the policy
of this coantry was to preserve the indie
pendence Of those islands of the Pacific
that possessed it, giving the natives only
such protection as would enable them to
work OUT their own future. This would
be the policy of the administration now
probably, in respect to Samoa, if the
spirit of the tripartite agreement could
be enforced.
What we really want at Samoa is abso-
lutte controlo of the harbor of Pago-Pago
If we could get that we should have no
further use for Samoa, although we are
under some obligations to the Samoans
because of the fact that we agreed with
| Germany and Great Britain to do what
we could to improve their material con-
| dition.
However, Secretary Gresham will take
no steps in respect to the matter unless
directed by congress to do so. He has re-
ferred the whole subject to congress, and
is now awaiting its action. If the agree
ment should be broken there would not
be a great deal of regret in this country
probably, provided we were given Pago-
Pago harbor for which we shall have the
most urgent need.
Is ex-President Harrison an migrate?
Three or four years ago, it will be remem-
bered, he,was presented with a hand
some seaside cottage, at Cape May
Point, Nj. The citizens of that inter-
es:ing jumping-off place were credited
with being the donors, and the benef-
ciary used to have q glorious time run
ming down there and jumping into the
salt water whenever it got too hot for
/ him in Washington. However, the
4 place is now advertised for sale, and the
+ Cape May Pointers are accusing the ex-
I president Of breach of faith. They say
] that since the place cost him nothing he
ought not seek to turn it into money so
! soon after receiving it. To an outsider
/ it looks as if the Pointers were selfish.
4 The place belongs to Gen. Harrison Just
/ as much as if he had bought it, and since
/ he has no use for il he should be per.
mitted to sell it if he wishes.
! The Atlantic avenue trolley road. OF
Brooklyn, is tied up from a novel cause.
| The company ordered its motormen and
conductors to provide themselves with
summer uniforms, including Norfolk
| Jackets and yachting caps The men had
no very great objection to buying the
regulation uniform, but positively refused
/ n nHt.apt tho fopgt tnCr-a,.t, rpl,.,r "a