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 Constitut