The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-01
SAYS THE CASE is UNIQUE
DIFFICULTY OF GOVERNMENT
BY THE THREE POWERS.
YET NOT ONE is WILLING To RECEDE
Fifty-Four WarshipS Now Under Construction
for Our Navy. The Estimates for Naval
Requirements for Next Year are
Unusually LARGE.
Unusually Large,

Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 31.-Chief Justice
Chambers of Samoa, arrived here this
morning en- route to Washington, where
he goes to make his report OH the situa-
tion in the Samoan Islands In speaking
of the condition of affairs in Samoa, he
said:
AS to whether peace in the islands
will be permanent depends largely upon
the action of the three Governments
upon the reports OF the commissioners.
Such thing as a permanent and peace
full government in Samoa is of course
possible, but the natives will at all times
seize upon any indication of disagree
ment between the three Governments,
and therefore no one can predict with
absolute certainty what the conditions
may be in the future.
MY own opinion is that annexation
of the islands by one of the other of the
treaty powers is the only solution.
Il do not say the Government Nill be
only temporary. 1t may be permanent.
The situation is unique. 1t is the only
case in history of its kind. 1t is the
only instance in which our Government
has allied itself with foreign powers to
control a formerly independent Govern
ment.
And as neither appears to be willing
to give way to the others every diplo-
matte expedient win be resorted to to
continue the present arrangements"
when do you expect to return to the
Islands?'
Il have been about as long in the
tropics as officials ever remain, and it
is possible that | may not return at all"
NAVAL. ESTIMATES FOR YEAR.
Washington, August 31.-The Secre-
tary of the Navy has directed that all
estimates for the requirements of the
naval service next year shall be sub
mitted by tomorrow, September 1st,
thus giving him three months for co-Or-
dinating them for submission to Con
gress. Accordingly the several naval
bureaus have been active of late prepar-
ing their final figures, and all the eSti-
mates, with the exception of those relat-
ing to armor and ordnance, will be in
hand tomorrow.
They show in general a considerable
increase all along the line, owing to the
rapid development of the navy, the un-
precedented amount. of naval shipbuild-
ing now in progress, and the enlarged
demands growing out of the war and
the acquisition of new territory.
The largest item is $1S,0O0,0O0 under
the head of increase of the navy"
which is $5,000,000 more than any pre-
vious estimate under this head. 1t is
due to unusual numbers of warships now
in course of construction, aggregating
fifty-four in all classes, a total much in
excess of the number under construction
mt any previous time in the history of
the navy. These include eleven battle
ships, four monitors, three armOred crui-
sers, six protective cruisers, thirty three
destroyers and torpedo boats, and seve-
raj miscellaneous craft, submarine
boats, etc.
Admiral Melville will also make esti-
mates for new engineering plants, equip
ments, tools, buildings. etc, at Norfolk,
Port Royal, Port Orchard and Mare
Island, California. These plants are
old, and the requirements now made on
them induce the chief engineer To re-
commend the most modern appliances
and such a re-modelling Of buildings as
will bring them UP to date.
Admiral Endicott, Chief Of the Bu-
reau Of Yards and Docks, will recon-
mend two more large dry docks on the
Atlantic seaboard, one at New York and
the other at Norfolk. The estimate will
be about $1,250,000 each.