EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 15, 1889_.
_To the Congress_:
On the 2d day of April, 1888, I transmitted to the House of
Representatives, in response to a resolution passed by that body, a
report from the Secretary of State, relating to the condition of affairs
in the Samoan Islands, together with numerous letters, dispatches, and
documents connected with the subject, which gave a history of all
disorders in that locality up to that date.[27]
On the 21st day of December, 1888, this information was supplemented by
the transmission to the Congress of such further correspondence and
documents as extended this history to that time.[28]
I now submit a report from the Secretary of State, with later
correspondence and dispatches, exhibiting the progress of the
disturbances in Samoa up to the present date.
The information thus laid before the Congress is of much importance,
since it has relation to the preservation of American interests and the
protection of American citizens and their property in a distant locality
and under an unstable and unsatisfactory government.
In the midst of the disturbances which have arisen at Samoa such powers
have been exercised as seemed to be within Executive control under our
Constitution and laws, and which appear to accord with our national
policy and traditions, to restore tranquillity and secure the safety of
our citizens.
Through negotiation and agreement with Great Britain and Germany, which,
with our own Government, constitute the treaty powers interested in
Samoan peace and quiet, the attempt has been made to define more clearly
the part which these powers should assume in the Government of that
country, while at the same time its autonomy has been insisted upon.
These negotiations were at one time interrupted by such action on the
part of the German Government as appeared to be inconsistent with their
further continuance.
Germany, however, still asserts, as from the first she has done, that
she has no desire or intention to overturn the native Samoan Government
or to ignore our treaty rights, and she still invites our Government to
join her in restoring peace and quiet. But thus far her propositions on
this subject seem to lead to such a preponderance of German power in
Samoa as was never contemplated by us and is inconsistent with every
prior agreement or understanding, while her recent conduct as between
native warring factions gives rise to the suspicion that she is not
content with a neutral position.
Acting within the restraints which our Constitution and laws have placed
upon Executive power, I have insisted that the autonomy and independence
of Samoa should be scrupulously preserved according to the treaties made
with Samoa by the powers named and their agreements and understanding
with each other. I have protested against every act apparently tending
in an opposite direction, and during the existence of internal
disturbance one or more vessels of war have been kept in Samoan waters
to protect American citizens and property.
These things will abundantly appear from the correspondence and papers
which have been submitted to the Congress.
A recent collision between the forces from a German man-of-war stationed
in Samoan waters and a body of natives rendered the situation so
delicate and critical that the war ship _Trenton_, under the
immediate command of Admiral Kimberly, was ordered to join the
_Nipsic_, already at Samoa, for the better protection of the
persons and property of our citizens and in furtherance of efforts to
restore order and safety.
The attention of the Congress is especially called to the instructions
given to Admiral Kimberly dated on the 11th instant and the letter of
the Secretary of State to the German minister dated the 12th instant,
which will be found among the papers herewith submitted.
By means of the papers and documents heretofore submitted and those
which accompany this communication the precise situation of affairs in
Samoa is laid before the Congress, and such Executive action as has been
taken is fully exhibited.
The views of the Executive in respect of the just policy to be pursued
with regard to this group of islands, which lie in the direct highway of
a growing and important commerce between Australia and the United
States, have found expression in the correspondence and documents which
have thus been fully communicated to the Congress, and the subject in
its present stage is submitted to the wider discretion conferred by the
Constitution upon the legislative branch of the Government.