DEBATE OF FEBRUARY 20, 1889.Question: "Resolved, That the United States Government ought to interfere at once to protect American interests in the Samoan Islands."

Brief for the Affirmative.F. Green and G. W. Lee.

Best general reference: Bayard to Pendleton, Samoan Affairs [a Congr. Doc.] I, 107-121.

I. The United States has large interests in the Samoan Islands, which require that their autonomy be preserved. (a) A commercial and naval station there will become of national consequence to us in the future.- Secretary Whitney's letter, Boston Post, Jan. 28. (b) American citizens and property require protection.- Samoan Affairs, II, 5, 11, 20, 29, 57, 68, 100, 106.

II. Germany will get control in Samoa unless we interfere. (a) It is her policy to acquire territory.- Samoan Affairs, I, 112. (b) She has long been trying to get control.- Nineteenth Century. Nov., 1888, 736, or Samoan Affairs I, 113-121, III, 2 (c) England will allow her to do so.- Nineteenth Century, Nov, 1888, 747, 749; Samoan Affairs, I, 115, II, 16. (d) Germany already exercises too much influence.- Samoan Affairs, I, 119, 121.

III. We have a right to interfere. (a) We have equal rights with Germany in Samoa.- Boston Journal, Jan. 30. (b) We have been interfering there for 10 years. (b) Samoan Affairs, I, 111, 115. (c) We may protect our treaty rights.- Boston Post, Jan. 28.

IV. We should assert our nationality and prevent further aggressions.

V. We are called upon to interfere, (a) by our treaty with Samoa.- Nineteenth Century, Nov. 1888, 738, (b) by our duty to our citizens there.- Boston Post, Jan. 21, (c) by the laws of humanity.- Samoan Affairs, I, 109, II, 23.

Brief for the Negative.Daniel Fulcomer and R. C. Surbridge.

Best general reference: Samoan Affairs, Cong. Doc., 1888., pp. 96, 261.

I. There is no political reason for interference. (a) The United States has refused to assume the protectorate alone, or to join with England and Germany in one.- Samoan Affairs, p. 31. (b) The three powers interested in Samoa have agreed not to change the status quo without general (consent.- Samoan Affairs, pp. 31, 35. (c) There can therefore be no question of a German protectorate without the consent of England and America.

II. (a) Our commercial relations with Samoa are small.- N. Y. Times, Feb. 6, 1889; Boston Journal, Jan. 30, 1889; Samoan Affairs, p. 96-98. (b) Our right to a coaling station, although not used, is acknowledged.- Samoan Affairs, p. 124, Art. II; Cong. Record, p. 1455, Jan. 29, 1889; Samoan Affairs, pp. 59-60, 98; Public Opinion, Feb. 2, 1889, p. 344; Cleveland Leader and Philadelphia North American. (c) There is nothing in the German Samoan treaty denying it.- Samoan Affairs, pp. 126-129.

III. There is nothing involved in the rights of our citizens in Samoa to call for interference.- N. Y. Weekly Times, Feb. 6, 1889, p. 4.

IV. We should keep free from entangling relations with foreign nations. Washington's Farewell Address, in Sparks, vol. XII, pp. 231-2. (a) The Monroe doctrine should not be extended to include Samoa.- Public Opinion (N. Y. Tribune), Jan. 19, 1889, p. 300.

V. We should use arbitration in preference to war.- Sherman in Cong. Record, Jan. 31, p. 1461. (a) We have not the navy for a Samoan war.- Boston Transcript, Feb. 1, 1889, p. 4; Samoan Affairs, p. 87; Cong. Record, Feb. 5, 1786, pp. 1595-7; (b) war is more costly than arbitration, is wasteful, inhuman and demoralizing.