Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1889 — SAMOAN AFFAIRS. [ARTICLE]

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations reported amendments to the consular and diplomatic appropriation, designed to prote-t the interests of the United States in Samoa. The amendments provide for an appropriation of S6OO, i 00 for this purpose, which shall be immediately available. Sec. Whitney has written a letter to the chaiiman of the House Naval Committee asking that the department may be authorized to purchase the necessary land for a coaling station in the harbor of Pagopauo. Samoa, and to erect a wharf there, huild a lighter, etc. He suggested an appropriation of SIOO,O 0 for the pur pose. The Secretary of State, Wednesday, received a cablegram from Acting Consul Blacklock at Apia, Samoa, by way of Aukland, saying that a large fire recently occurred on the island and that the German consulate wan amoDg thebt4ldingß destroyed. He adds that the undoubtedly accidental. No other d%ails are given. A WasliiMgton special says, Mr. Petre, the technicaf*»t®&che of the German Legation, has jtM# arrived in Washington direct from Berlin. His mission is supposed to bydadly cover a comprehensive and rapid survey of the military and naval resources oi the' United States in defensjfand offense. Particularly he is presumed to inspect the harbor defense* of the principal seaports and incidentally tqmake a report on our ability to command seagoing steamers which could be Speedily converted into' commerce destroying privateers. The German side" of the recent Samoan figntyaß related by their counsel at ; Apia, Charges Kit in, the alleged Amerigpan,Aivith being the instigator of the Swhoie trouble. j V