New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-26
THE AFFAIR or SAMOA.
A NEW BLUE BOOK PUBLISHED IN LONDON

BIsMARCK's FAILURE TO INTEREST ENGLAND IN hiS
CHARACTERIZATION OF ENGLISH CoLOSlsis
LONDON, Feb. GA Blue Book was issued THIS
morning which is taken up with correspondence
concerning New-Guinea and Samoa. 1t contains
report FROM Sir Edward Malet, the British Minister
at Berlin, which gives all account OF an interview
between him and Prince Bismarck. In this inter
view Prince Bismarck read to Sir Edward dls-
patch which he had sent to Count Won Munster the
German Minister at London. This dlspatch was
dated May 8, 1884, aud its object was to show the
British Government that England could trender
Germany signal service in the latter's policy OF
colonial extension. If England should undertake
to grant this favor. the dispatch indicated that
Germany in return would support English interests
nearer home. The dispatch further gave 1t to be
understood that in the event OF failure TO secure
the desired arrangement with England. Germany
would he under the necessity of seeking from
France on similar terms. the assistance which Eng
land refused to give. After reading this dispatch
Prince Bismarck told Sir Edward that Count Won
Munster laid the matter before the British Govern
ment but failed to obtain from it the understand
inr which Germany desired. Prince Bismarck then
sent his son, Count Herbert Bismarck. TO Eng land
to explain the situation as the German Chancellor
REGARDED If. hat he succeeded little better than
Count Won Munster
@Hc only obtained" Prince Bismarck said, from
England general assurances of friendliness and
good viii, which have proved absolutely valueless
in tho face of subsequent events"
At this point Sir Edward expressed regret ut tho
situation. He assured Prince Bismarck thai Eng
and never had any intention of thwarting Ger
manys colonial aspirations He asked Prince
Bismarck what Germany wanted. Did she want
New-(iunea or Zululandf Prlnce Bismarck replied
that Germany had now come to an understanding
with France and this precluded him from making
any further explanations.
Another interesting document is a dispatch from
Earl Granville to Sir Edward Malet, dated Oh
February z, 1855. In this the British Foreign
Secretary asserts that both his statements and
those of Mr.. Gladstone have always been favorable
to the development of a colonial policy on the part
of Germany.
The correspondence in regard to the Samoan
Islands shows that England was the recipient
of frequent requests from the people OF
that country for the establishment OF British
protectorate. In consequences OF these requests
Germany asked England to JOIN with her in giving
mutual assurances that the independence OF the
Samoan and Tonga Islands should be respected by
these two Powers England acceicd to this arrange,
nent and in cOnsonance with It, the repeated
petitions of the King and chiefs OF Samoa praying
that their domni0ns be annexed by England were
dsregarded. and no thought OF annex'ng thcm was
entertained.
On January 6, Earl Derby. Colonial Secretary OF
State received a cable dispatch from General sir
William Jcrvois, Governor of New Zealand, which
stated that two German vessels had arrive at tue
Samoan Islands. and that the officers on board
these had forced the King 10 sign treaty by when
the whole authority of the Government was turned
over to the German representative. TN fcOruary
I6 Earl Granville wrote to Count Won Munster
asking him to inquire into the accuracy OF Ito
above rep rt. December 30, 1854. the King OF
Samoa wrote a letter 10 Emperor William protest
ing against the action Of the German oncers. =,
The last dispatch in the book is one from Eari
Derby TO the Governor of NewZealanc dated on
February Is directing the Governor 10 instruct the
British Consul in Samoa not to countcnance any
movement looking toward the annexation OF the
islands by Great Dritain. 49,
The book also contains portions OF a conversation
which took place between Prince Bismarck ana
Robert Henry Meade. British Assistant Colonial
Secretary who was at the time in Berlin attending
the Congo Conference. To MIR. Meade the German
Chancellor said that the system which Germany
pursued in her colonial movements was to follow
tnc course of German trade. Whenever German
commercial houses were established III countries
which were not under any foreign jurisdiction, it
was the Empires policy to AFFORD the protection OF
the German flag.
Mr. Meade read a telegram from the Premier OF
Victoria in which he said that if England did not
prevent the annexation by Germany of New-Guinea
the exaspc ration among the Queensl would be
simply boundless and that the feeling OF bitterness
would Outl.ve the present generation.