New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-11
THE TURN ABOUT ON SAMOA.
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS REGARDING
THE ISLANDS IN 1889 REPUDIATED.

AT THAT TINE HE WANTED TO PRESERVE THEIR
AUTONOMY AND TO PROTECT AMERICAN
INTEREsTs-HIs PROGRAMME TAKEN
UP AND FOLLOWED BY THE HAIR
RIsoN ADMINISTRATION.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,
Washington, May 10-Coming the heels OF the
attempt at monarchical restoration in Hawaii the
new Samoan programme OF the Administration Is
naturally looked upon with suspicion. According TO
opinions expressed to-day the move Is an attempt to
dscredit the act OF the Harrison Administration.
Practically however, Secretary Greshams letter
sent yesterday TO the Senate Is a Reputation OF
the Presidents earlier views concerning the i'm
portance to the country Of preserving the native
autonomy Of the islands.
Senators who alive to the value or Samoa
in the event of the construction of the Nicaraguan
Canal, and the importance of holding the treaty
grant with respect to a coaling station in Pago
Page harbor. do not propose letting the latest
"originar' policy of the Administration in diplo-
matte affairs pass lightly by Senator Frye Is
watching the matter intently. Senators Lodge Hg-
gins Davis and others Will give the subject the
serious attention II deserves at the proper time
Senator Morgan. chairman of the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations while not In full accord with
the effect Of the Berlin act is averse to any action
at this time which might jeopardze American
tect to-day. Senator Morgan said:
Germany and England have perpetual harbor
rights there, while right 70 Pago Pago Is ter
minabe at the will OF the native rulers. Secretary
Evarts felt when he secured that concession Tor
the United States that he had accomplished an
important result | agreed with him. and willingly
assisted a few years ago In obtaining an appro-
priaton from Congress for the protection OF our
interests. Fortunately the occasion did not arise
for the expenditure OF the appropriation stih
think should hold the harbor, and believe the
next move made should be toward having the con-
cesson made perpetual. and that we should not
surrender part in the management OF analrs IN
the islands except upon this condition
What the President said during his former Ad-
miniatration in relation to the Samoan question
is OF much interest now. In his message 70 Coh-
gress on the subject. transmitting report OF sec
rotary Bayard on the condition Of affairs IN 1882
Mr.. Cleveland said:
The information thus laid before Congress Is Oh
much importance since Il has relation to the preser
walton OF American interests and the protection OF
locality and under an unstable and unsatisfactory
government In the midst OF the dlsturoahm o',s
been exercised as seemed to be within executive
appear TO accord with our National policy ana ira
ditions restore tranquility ana secure III.
with Great Britain and Germany, which, with our
own Government. constitute the treaty i,oNcIss
has heen made to define more clearly the part
which these Powers should assume IN the Govern
men, OF that country while AZ the same time lts
autonomy has been insisted upon. Germany sun
from the hrst she ms zone ~, una, Ive
has no desire or intention to overturn we nahhne
samoan Government or 10 ignore our treaty rlshts,
restoring peace and quiet but thus far her proposi-
lions on this subject 10 lead 20 such pre-
Sontemplated BY US and is inconsistent with
every prior agreement or Understanding VIII ~
gives rise to the suspicion that she Is not content
WIT f,nsiste3 that the autonomy and ndepend
or,. ~ samoa should be scrupuously preserved &C
cording to the treaty mnd" with samoa py tlc
I,d',g Win each other have protested against
every act apparently tending III an OPP" -.
enrc one or more vessels OF war have been kcpt IN
Samoan waters 20 protect Aer,, , a., rspc, Of
~ de- ,olry To Doe pursued with regard 10 TINS
| gronn ~ islands which lie In the direct Rish"ay
>, ~ ,-cv.lrV and important commerce between
81 ana the United states. have found ex-
| ,r.ss,ou IN the correspondence ana occur ~ y
.rsq ana tho subject In it, present shape Is
submitted to the wider us teuon & ~ ~ CO..
can.,tfitlou upon the legislative nTdnch oI uc 'V'-
| eminent. , $3.50 80
These words Of President Cleveian1 were eS-
,,-cs.,d shortly before ~ laid down the cares OF
| On. I'm issp The programme OF preventing "ei-
man ascondency IN samoa and to preserve inc IA
49,, autonomy Of the islands laid down by MI
| cleveland and Secretary BayHrd was subseduehuy
| "a into execution by president Harrison ana
! e.-.,.r, blaine That which MI Harrison anu
! e.ro,,rv blaine accomplished was the lesiuHa'e
! III, ~ what had been brought about by the III
| ,ior,acv OF their predecessors There WAS no us
| ,r.,,on left the Republican Administration ""a'
una done by President Cleveland ana 9e'r',HtS ,
! -, l.f, no alternative to BE- pursue Inc
/ ia, I'M. agreement WaF under the cir'uiN-
b'st ,,er.i into and the same IL now IN force;
S.Ioub,eiiv the autonomy AMI lndfPenuen'e. .,b p
| Samoa were "scrupuously pI,,s1iIN -. -, ia a
| ,,,rotection ~ Americans and tlelr p'oPe''' ." "
distant locality secured