The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-10
THE SAMOAN AGREEMENT.
40 CEFTCTAL CONTINUATION RE-
IEIVHD IN UdSHINGTON.

The Onicinis, However, Accept the Report
ne Authenticate IL said to be sntisfac-
tory to This Government and VIII he
a crpted, rs our Claims Are Granted.
WAsulyGros. Nov. While the Govern
meut strangely enough. 10 still without official
confirmation Of III" statements made In London
and Berlin that Great Britain has surrendered
her samoan rights to Germany. and that
treaty between the three protectorate powers
for the part ton OF the islands has been mr.
ranged. the officials accept those statements as
authentic and do not EXPECT to learn anything
not given TO the press until II receives the re-
mort that will come from Ambassador
Inoato With certain knowledge that Great
Britain IN to retire from Samoa, leaving
Germany and the United States in possession
or the group. the Administration officials think
that tho less said about the adjustment the
better The settlement Is very satisfactory to
tn.s Government. but there Is a strong senti-
mental fesllng Of regret that Great Britain did
not retain foothold In the Samoan Archipel-
ago. The Government sees no other course to
pursue. however than to accept the agree
meu'. ~ eyory elaim Of the United States was
granted. However strong the feeling OF dis
appointment over the outcome may have been
yesterday. there ia now no other view e1-
pressed than that the Govefnment must assent
10 tho decision OF the negotintOrs.
Asa party to the control OF Samoa. this Gov
eminent has IL within its power to upset the
entire arran cement by merely reiusin. to
sign the treaty. but no such course w be
pursued II would probably be regarded
by Germany as distinct nnront II
thu United States refused to become a
phrty TO the arrangement In London.
even II plausible reasons were given. This
Government having received all IL asked
would lie guilty OF an unfrlendly act according
to tho opinion here. II IL were to object to tho
perfection OF the treaty on the ground that II
dII not want Germany as aneighbor in Samoa.
I'll" representatives OF foreign powers here
express the belief that this country got the best
~ the bargain. Authority 10 sign the treaty
viii he given to AMI assador Choate rs soon
M the Gov eminent has official knowledge Of
It's provisl ons. when Congress convsnes tho
treaty will he sent to tho Senate for ratillca-
ton II cannot become binding on the
United States until the Senate gives its con-
E"nt.
Tho chief interest OF the United states in the
our r,ghts In the harhor OF P0ge-p n Lease
ol which was secured To us hy the treaty ~
property in the Island as it was provided
that II was to remain. In force Tor ten
years from its date. aud was then termina-
party. BY n similar treaty in The YEAR
ls7i, tho Germun Government had q right
Snluo'Gta llNthor. in the Island Of Upolu and
IN the sam" ycnr Great Britain acquired the
right to establish n naval station on tha shores
OF a samoan harbor TO he herpnfter designated
by the British Government. this privilege not
applying 10 the harhors Of Apa or Saluafata,
nor tO that part 81 tho harbor Of pago-pago to
h. hereafter selected by the Government Of tho
United states as station under their treaty
with samoa.
l}y 80 arrangement between the Govern
merts nj tina United States. Great Britain aud
Germany. the United States become rosseAsrd
OF all the islrnds OF tho Samoan grou which
lie east 81 the Hist meridian OF longitude.
Thcs" islands COMPRISE Tutuila. which con-
taus the harbor 81 pago-pneo. and further
eust. Manun, Olol'inga. OfoO and Rose islands
Outside NJ Tutula in this group there 10 no
harhOr and hut one anchorage. situated on tho
northeast side OF Manuu. In Savai there is
on'y ono hnrhor for shins. that Of Mataatu,
CNpnscl nj all seasons: and, moreover,
during Ia" period from December to April,
when the nor'hwinds are prevalent II II
dangerous. In the island OF UpDu there
is TO ilrs'-rato harhor Even that 81
Sa'u2fata. mentioned above. would require
very considerable expenditure to make IL OF
any use, Will" the inad.uuacv OF AHA as a
hnrbnr was clearly shown In the terrible and
destructive tempest 81 n few years ago. But in
tho Island ~ Tutula besides nve reef hnrbors
similar 10 those IN trolu there IL the hartor
81 PaEo-Pagr. which IL deep and land locked
basin, whose easy approach and perfect
security for vessels causes II 10 outweigh In
v1'u" MI the Other Islands in the group. II il
generally considered nv naval experts the
finest harbor in the Pacific Ocean,