New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-01
MR.. FRYE DISCUSSES SAMOA.
IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT THE
PRESIDENT WILL DO.
HOW TIE TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT WAS
BROUGHT ABOCT-THE ISLANDS MORE M
PoRTANT TO THE UNITED STATES

HOW TIE TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT WAS
BROUGHT ABoUT-TIE ISLANDS MORE M
PoRTANr TO THE UNITED STATES
THAN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY
BY TELEGRAPH To TRIBvNEi
Washington. April Ex-senator Frye expresses
himself on the Samoan situation in his usual Wig
orous English do you think the United states
will back out OF Samoa. Senator he was asked
to-day.
THE United States ought not 10 back out OF
Samoa he replied emphatically. "But AFTER tHe
Hawaiian policy cannot say what this Admin
istration will do | have official Information
about Samoa but Is evident there Is some friction
down there, though nothing which could possibly
justify the United States in giving up rights ac-
quire1 both by purchase and by treaty. Bnt wheth-
the President will make K ground for withdraw
INK from the tripartite agreement. thereby giving
Samoa TO Germany ard Great Britain. Is "A
question II he goes TO that length II will be from
the same motive which governed his action toward
Hawail-to repudiatr and discredit the work or the
former Administration"
After "A brief pause the Senator continued: THE
story OF Samoa Is very simple. Germany got hold
the Samoan group through her trading company
In which members OF the German Government were
directly and largely Interested. IL has never been
the plan Of Germany to colonze Islands OF the Pa
c.tc and give them good government as Great
Britain because OF the expense 50 Germany \
Samoa cheated the natives and had things pretty
much their own way. Great Britain had gone down
there. too. and the United States by purchase had
acquired rights to Page Page Iiarbor for d coaling
station Under such conditions things were not
likely to 20 on smoothly. and they led TO the con-
ference In Washington during President Cleve-
lands first Adminisration-Ge being repre-
scented by the German Minister. Great Britain by
the British Minister. and the United states by the
Secretary Of state Mr. Bayard. This conference.
however. accomplished nothing ana TOOK recess
without adjusting any OF the ulIiSutes LurIms
the recess Germany went down there, TOOK pos
session OF Samoa and dcported the King actually
lugged him on IL was JuSt a. iiu.h vi a" su W, W
Great Britain to the United states. But Great
have never had any doubt In my own mind but that
there was an understanding 9t%oeH nrgat britain
What do you think the understanding was. Sena-
"yhv that Great Britain should let Germany go
ahead in Samoa and then Germany should keep her
nnS S VIA. h ne States hat called Germany
to account. introduced a resolution In the senate
General to samoa came home. But before he could
testify the President sent him back. Another resolu-
ton In the senate though. led the President 10 stop
Sewell at San Francisco and he returned 70 Wash
ington and gave his testimony. Afterward the Presi-
dent removed Sewell our Investigation aroused a
strong feeling OF indignation against Germany's
course but the President did nothing. II was not
don. to sctti.. the trouble Mir blaine took it up and
brought about the Berlin conference which resulted
many. oiren, Britain and the United states.
THAT was In 1883. and. though the natives were
governed I'm "A way by their King. the trpartte
agreement is practically protectorate over Samoa
Each Government keeps a representative down tnrre
o. protect IT. rights Germany has the controlling
interest In trade Hut II H. doubtful II the German
Government would desire the responsibility OF ar
fairs. even II Great Britain and the ntei states
would Withdraw. Great Britain. however, never
gives up anything sh" once gets her hands on, ana
Germany the natural greed of all European ma
tons - SELF" everything I'm the Pacific II can. The
samoan group Is far more important % the nlted
States than 10 either Of the other countries. But,
IS | said before. one cannot predict wnat the
President viii DO. II" could. II course. negotiate
treaty Eut n would have 10 be- ratified by the
senate and he may not try that II" may modify
the present treaty. should not object 10 some
changes which might be- made 10 The advantag" OF
the nitel States But should object 10 any modi-
ncaton which would reduce our rights down there.
b. not think anything should be- don" - reduce
the rights ~ the United states In Samoa"