The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-04-22
Origin of Our Connection With
Samoa.
From the Baltimore News.

For the origin Of the establishment of
an American interest in Samoa, we must
90 back mere than twenty five years. In
1872, President Grant sent Commander
Meade to look for site for coaling station
on the route between San Francisco and
Australia, where line of steamers which
had been established between those two
points could coal under American protec-
ton. Commander Meade's instructions
really permitted him to make almost any
kind of agreement Page Page Bay in
the island of Tutuila, then third in i'm
portance and size of the Samoan group,
was suggested to him as one of the best
harbors in the South Pacific. Commander
Meade made an agreement with the Gov
ernment of Tutula, at that time indepen-
dent of the other islands, to guarantee
American protection Of the Government
from outside interference in return for
ceSsion Of Page Page Bay. The protec-
tora;e part was rejected by the Senate at
President Grant suggestion
Meanwhile. German commercial house,
with which Bismarck was financially con-
nected and the interests of which were the
interests Of Germany, prevented the con-
summation of the agreement, as the action
OF the United States interfered with the
German plan OF eventual annexation of all
the islands. \ Baron Steinberger was
then sent out as a special agent of the
United States, but proved a secret agent
of Germany He stirred up war be-
tween Mahetoa and Tupua, who reigned
as joint Kings, the Germans siding with
Malietoa. When the last-named sue
ceeded. Steinberger was made Prime Min
lister and virtual ruler which position he
held nut a very short time, as Malietoa
soon learned his real character Then the
Germans tried to Dust Malieto in favor of
Tupua, but the former, supported by
American recognition, based on hope of
a consummation Of the Page Page agree
meut, held his own.
In 1873 treaty was made between
Malietoa and the Ind States, in which
Page Page Bay was ceded. In 1873 Ger
many and Great Britain joined in recog
nizing Malietoa. The Government of Apia
was turned over to The Consuls of the three
Powers for three years, at the end of which
time the convention was continued indet
nitely. Germany next succeeded in in
timidating the next King, Malietoa Tele-
vac. into giving Apia to the Germans.
In 1856 Bismarck sent squadron to effect
German annexation Televae appealed to
United States Consul Greenbaum for an
American protectorate GreenbaGm' ac-
ton was later disayowed, but his boldness
checked the Germans for a while. In
1887 a German force landed and set up
Tamasese as King
The British at first joined the United
States in refusing to recognize this action,
but afterward went over to Germany The
Germans had meanwhile sent Maietoa a
prisoner TO Hamburg. \ conference at
Washington of the representatives of the
three Powers was broken up by Secretary
Bayard learning that England had secretly
agreed to Germany Samoan ambition.
Ten DAYS later Germany began fighting to
suppress Mataata, tue rlShtIu her 10 tue
thrune. Americans and American trade
were kept out Of Samoa by harsh measures;
the English were treated in the same way.
The nited States thereupou firmly in
sisted upon another conference in 1889.
The Berlin treaty was the result. While
present in the harbor Of Apia to maintain
the s;ata, qua pending the result Of the
conference, the American and German
men-of-war we're destroyed by the famous
hurricane Of 1889. In 1898 an add
tioual agreement was made that warships
should not undertake to enforce decision
of the Supreme Court until the three Pow
ers agreed. 1t is this agreement which
the Germans say Admiral Kautz has
violated