Arizona republican., 1898-12-21
THE SITUATION IN SAMOA.

Since the death Of King Maiietoa
 there has been state of uncertainty
 in the islands of Samoa. Two claim
 ants exist for the throne-Masa8fa,
 Malietoa's old rival, a favorite with
 the islanders, and Tamasese. a well
 known indictment chief. There has
 been also a renewal of the talk of Ger
 many's intrigues to obtain control of
 the islands, or at least a preponder-
 ant influence there, but it is not in the least likely that either this country or
 Great Britain would consent to relin-
 Quish their present rights under the tripartite agreement.
 Since the annexation Of Hawaii and the acquisition Of the Philippines, the interest of this country in Samoa is considerably increased. It is an i'm portant point in the line of our Pacific Mail boats out from San Francisco for Australia make it their second stopping place, the first being Honolulu. It may be an ln1- portant base for trade and for strategy.
 The United States has by treaty Pago Pago for coaling station. It com mands one of the finest harbors in the Pacific. Coal depots and other inn are to be constructed there. It is 4,100 miles from San Francisco and 4,OO0 from Yokohama, 2,200 from 5000 from tho Ladrone is lands and about 4,00O from Manila With a naval base in Samoa we shall occupy a position of unassailable su- 1rem2cy in the rapidly developing trade 1f the southern Pacific. The enlarg- ing sphere Of American influence and in those waters imposes duties upon this government which cannot be evaded. Hawaii is ours and must be kept secure from foreign inter- ;erence; Manila is to become an Amer | can city and the great center of our commerce in the east; we snail have | ] naval station in the Ladrones, and | complete the chain of our splendid | projects in the Pacific we must avail | ourselves of our rights in Samoa by | establishing a first class supply sta t ion at Pago Pago. With that needful i york accomplished, thus completing a 'ystem of naval Outposts extending rom California to the Philippines and | the impregnable harbors of Hawaii and Samoa, the domination of American influence on the Pacific will ,e permanent and absolute.
 There is money available for the [ 'ago Pago undertaking. Congress some '. en years ago appropriated 4500,000 fer he protection Of American interests in Samoa, and of this sum upwards of f 150,00 remains unexpended. These f Unds can properly be used in the york at Pago Pago. Large tracts of ir esira5le land adjoining the harbor l we're purchased by this government everal years ago; the harbor itself is spacious and easily forti- ed, ard the available money could no. re invested more judiciously than by !, spending 1t to make our Samoan prop tt rty accessible and useful to the Ameri- an navy. There is no feature of resident McKinley's broad gauge, en- rgGtic policy which is more worthy of 1 CmmendaI.ion and support than his de- to extend and strengthen Ifr naval and commercial system On he Pacific ocean.
 The Berlin compact declared that the stands of Samoa are neutral territory nd bound all three of the treaty na- ions to tho proposition that none Of he powers shall exercise any separate ontrol over the islands or the goveTn- lCn. thereof. This arrangement has 7orked well and should not be altered