The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-06-30
Samoa Sent Two ENJOYS to Wash
ington to Ask For It.
UNITED STATES ONCE N CONTROL
The story il Told BY Hon. Il. w.
Seward, Ex-As-istant Secretary of
S:ate-The Bible as Text Book
The Value OF Page Pago Harbor.

Sir: ''Go forth, my son. said Chan.
cellor Oxenstiern to the young dip.
Iomatist. 500 forth and see with how
little wisdom the world is governed ~
If 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 cane to the Depart
ment OF State two ENJOYS from the
Samoan Islands. One was an Ameri-
can resident there, and the other a
fine looking, intelligent native, who
had held a place in the island Govern
ment corresponding TO that of Minister
of Foreign Affairs, When il fell
within the scope of my official duties
TO receive and converse with him, L
remarked the purity and correctness
of the English he spoke, and asked
how he had learned il. He replied
that his chief text book for the study
of the language had heea 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 and political relations
with the United States; even TO the
extent of a protectorate or cesSion.
The Samoans had found the Ameri-
can Government just, liberal and
kind in il. 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,
Mr.. 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 |
tons, they had seen American COM |
merce swe,t out of the Pacific by |
British-built cruisers carrying the |
Confederate flag.
Public sentiment, however, was at /
that time averse to the acquisition OF /
ifesteG itself in regard TO St. Thomas
and San Domingo. Inquiry among
Senators and Congressman showed |
that no treaty would be approved that
should call fer the payment of public
money, or should bind the UIuitcu |
States to exert its naval or military
force TO protect the privileges &C
quired.
The envoys were reasonable and
practical, and were soon led to COM
prehend the situation. After many |
conferences, they agreed that the ISL
ands would cede to the United States |
their finest harbor, that of Pago- Pago, |
for naval and coaling station, and
would ask nothing in return except |
the mutual good will and information
al intercourse that might reasonably
be expected to follow such a transac-
ton. 1t is among the pleasant MEM
cries of my official life that particl-
pated in the preparation OF that treaty. |
1t was duly signed-the respective
Plenipotentiaries being Mr.. Evarts,
the Secretary of State, in behalf OF
the United States, and the Samoan |
Envoy in behalf of his Government.
II was confirmed and ratified without |
serious opposition Naval vessels
were sent out to Psgo Pago to make
surveys and take possession.
The delay excited much less COM
ment or criticism in the United States
than 1t did in Europe-for European
statesmen were quick 10 perceive the
advantage our country had gained.
Efforts were Immediately begun to
acquire similar or counterbalancing |
advantages for Germany and Great
Britain. This proved difficult, for the
Samoans had already given US their
best harbor, and besides were appre-
hensive and distrustful of European
domination.
1t is needless to detail the subse-
quent negotiations, intrigues and
wars, during successive years, in
which the European residents or rep
resentatives sought to "get even"
with the United states. Finally, the
Berlin Treaty, providing for tripart-
tie protectorate, was acceded to by our
Government, in the hope and belief
that it would be for the benefit of the
Samoans, and would preserve peace
among them, while retaining Pago-
Pago Harbor for the United States.
Now, it seems, it is proposed that we
shall withdraw entirely and give up
the long-coveted advantages to Ger
many and Great Britain. The exulta-
ton manifested by the press in those
countries shows that they regard the
proposal in its true light. 1t will be a
weak and foolish surrender of valu-
able vested right. We shall desert &.
friendly people, who have placed their
confidence in this Republic, and shall
turn them over to the tender mercte5
of couple of European monarchies.
intent upon the extension of their
imperial" power. We shall get no
thanks for our surrender, and will de-
serve none.-l New York Tribune.