Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-27
FOREIGN NEWS.
England.

LONDON, Feb. ga blue book was is
sued this morning which is taken up with
correspondence concerning New Guina and
Samoa 1t contains a report from Sir Ed
ward Melet, British Minister to Berlin, of an
interview with him and Prince Bismarck.
The latter read to Sir Edward dispatch
that he (Bismarck) had sent the German
minister at London. The dispatch is dated
the 9Th of May, 1884, and the object in view
was, how the British government could rem
der Germany signal service in the latter's
policy Of continental extension. In case
England should undertake to grant this ia
vor, the dispatch indicated that Germany,
in return, would support England's interests
nearer home. The dispatch further gave it
to be understood that, in the event of a fail
ure TO secure the desired arrangement with
England, Germany would be under the ne
cessity of seeking from France, under SINH
lar terms, the assistance England refused.
After reading this dispatch Bismarck told
Sir Edward Count Won Munster had laid
the matter before the British government,
but failed to obtain from it the understand
ing which Germany desired, thereupon Bis
marck said, fearing Count Won Munster had
not stated the points involved in the dis
patch to Granville with sufficient clearness
and precision, he sent his son, Count Her.
bert Bismarck, in the hope that he might
succeed where Count Won Munster had
failed. Count Herbert explained the situa-
ton as the German chancellor regarded
it, but he succeeded but little
better than Count Won Munster in
persuading England to commit herself to
the proposed policy. He only obtained,
Bismarck said, assurances of friendli-
ness and good will, which have proved
absolutely valueless in a few subsequent
events. At this point Sir Edward expressed
regret at the situation. He assured Bismarck
that England had never had any intention
of thwarting Germany's colonial aspirations,
asking Bismarck what Germany wanted.
Did she want New Guinea or Zululand?
Bismarck replied that it was i'm
possible for him to answer Sir Edwards
query. Germany had now come to an
understanding with France and this pre-
cluded him making any further explanation.
Another interesting document in the Blue
Book is dispatch from Earl Granville to
Sir Edward Molet, dated February eth,
1885. In this dispatch the foreign secre-
tary takes the occasion to combat the as
sertion of Bismarck that England was in
fiuenced by jealousy OF the Germans colon
izing policy. Far from this being the case,
Granville asserts that both his statements
and those of Gladstone have always been
favorable to the development of the coloni-
al policy on the part of Ger
many. The correspondence in re-
gard to tina Siamese lands shows England
was reciprocant in the refusal of frequent re-
quests from the people of that country for
the establishment of British protectorate.
In consequence of these requests Germany
asked England to join with her in giving
them assurances that the independence of
Samao and Tonga Island should be respected
by these two powers. England aeceeded to
this arrangement, and in consequence the
petition was repeated Of the king and chiefs
of Samao, praying that their dominion be an
nexed by England, which was disregarded,
and no thought of annexing them enter
tanned. January 9th, this year, Earl Derby,
colonial secretary of state. received gable
dispatch from Lieut-General Sir VIM.
Jewais, governor of New Zealand, which
stated that two German vessels had
arrived at Samoa, Island, and that the of
fcers on board of these had forced the king
to sign treaty by which the whole authori-
ty of the government was turned over to the
German reciprocants. February 10th Earl
Granville wrote Count Won Munster asking
him to inquire into the accuracy of the
above report. December 90, 1884, the king
of Samoa wrote letter to the emperor of
Germany protesting against the action of
the German officers. There is one from
Earl Derby to the governor of New Zealand.
This is dated February 18th. and directs the
governor to instruct the British consel in
Samoa not to countenanee any movement
looking toward the annexation of the islands
by Great Britain.