New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-25
NY brain II teens
With endless schemes
Both great and new
For Iitipu-

For Ttipu-
s~cretsrv Bayard's mind Is constantly occupied
nth plans the realization of which Is TO benefit his
country and rebound to the everlasting glory Of Mr..
Cieveland's Administration. Consistency is not
of Mr. Bayards many virtues. While IN the Senate
It we'll known that he opposed reel 2rocity treaties
and commercial agreements of every kind. Since he
has assumed the dates of Secretary OF State he has
evidently undergone . change OF mind He no longer
objects reciprocity treaties provided only they
negotiated under hs auspices. have it on good
authority that Mr. Bates. who sent out by Score
tary Bayard settle the little unpeasantness the
samoan Islands. has returned with treaty in his
pockets by OF which the great and good King
of the Tonga Isands--hs name printed would take
mp several lines Of TIE TKIBUNE-binds himself to
admit free of duty certain articles OF American msnu
fscture such pianos sewing machines soap not 10
mention articles OF greater value still IN return for the
free admission into this country of his subjects
nuts their oranges their fruit and sundry other prod
ucts of the soil The importance OF this new CONNER,
cial treaty which 10 to iorm WERE the principal
feature OF the Presidents forthcoming Message. can
hardly be oyerestimsted. True the Tongues do not
play the piano yet but it is hoped that they will
learn II a Democratic Congress can be induced to
provide instructor who might at the time act
e Minister Resident suggestion sure 10 be made oy
Mr.. holman. They do not wear clothes. though
there 10 law on the Touguese statute books when
compels them do and therefore sewing machines
br,c-a-brac. What they are 10 do with soap Is
greater mystery still, for every traveller since the
great Cooks time, who beheve was the first to ds-
cover these islands, has commented upon the scarcity
OF available either for drinking or wash
ing purposes and the uncleany habits and appearance
In consequence OF the natives.
But where are the Tonga Islands, and who is their
ruler many will ask no hear the for the first
time, perhaps, in their lite l confess was unable to
answer tbs question yselt until to-day when George
H. Bates, MIR. Bay ards special agent In the matter.
furnished them to me- He arrived here Yesterday and
is now busiy engaged in preparing his report to
Secretary Bsyard 1t goes without saying that he
fha truth inc
existence OF the uew treaty. That II has been con-
Guided, however, there is very iittls DOUBT. 1t IS
confirmed in other quarters and Is not coatraq,cea
group situate about 500 or 600 miles southwest OF the
Bamosn Islands, Is OF the few remaining groups in
the Pacific nich have not been absorbed by one Of
the European Powers. There has been strong
desire be thinks at times the part of New Zealand
10 annex these lslaud. but they have had an autoua
nous government OF their the leading spirit of
which Is Mr.. Baker. Wesleyan missionary who Is
called the Premier. King d" George" as be is called
by the few Europeans living the islands, Il over
eighty years OF picture In the possession OF Mr.
Bates shows him to be man with strong features
hali-negro half-Maay in type, With snowy white hair
aud beard and determined look in his eye He Is
dressed conventional uniform of some military
officer of high rank in Europe. Though Christian
now, tis reign dates back TO the when tat mis-
sonary considered deiiclcy which every
welregulated Tor guese hoped to attain in this world
In tact old King said to have done a good deal
of lighting IN hs day. though it not record that
the eating aforesaid mterered greatly with his early
digestion subsequent greatness. His family name
tongue but IN conversation Ge s animated ana uueht
He lives a large comfortable two-story frame house
built after the European fashion At night be ascends
TO the secondstOry 10 sleep-but the Queen, who has
a dread OF earthquakes, remains prudeniiy below.
The apparent Crown Prince" he is called,
is grandson OF the hin2' ms son having oed seVera
years ago. He is present governor Of ore OF the
islands King George Ii said to be one of the most
accessible of menvisitng foreigners call upon him as
they would upOn their neighbors at home. They
received by him a rule sort of throneroom
where he recliue- halfstanding nalfsittng against
linhh .aH aha NJ
particularly pleased with his guestsas he must have
,een the OF Mr.. Bayards special oy-he
invites them TO the dinng-rOom and there with his
,wn royal hands note the relentless march OF civiza
hon he opens hottie of champagne and invites them
10 drink his health.
far greater evidence. however, OF the high degree
,f civilization attained be the TOnguese Is the fact that
they have on their hands shall say-a kulurkampt
On miniature Differences have sprung up between the
Wesleyan MethOdIsts aud Roman Catholics both OF
whom had missionaries among the natives IN whlch
the latter have engaged with all the ardor OF neophes
To sele the difficulty King George set up church OF
his own sort OF State religion, or established
ehurch-whch instead OF casting oil upon the troubled
has greatly added to the difficulty OF the sua
ton After the cordial reception extended by the octo
genarian monarch 10 Mr. Bates II will surprise nobpdv
TO hear Mr. Bfyards envoy speak glowing terms OF
the commerce and future these hitherto neglected
isand- He SAID to-day The products OF the islands
are similar to those OF the South Pacific genera lily
The oranges raised the Island OF Vayau are among
the finest in the world The principal export copra
which is the dried kernel OF the cocOanut from which
is expressed the cocoanut OIL OF commerce. with
reasonable to markets there is no reason why
the islands in this part of the Pacific should not he
available for the cultivation OF any OF the tropical
PRODUCTIONS. At Nukualofa. the capital, there are
large number foreigners residing aud doing business
The Government has tuilt hne wharf with storehouse
and there is regular steam communication with Auct-
land and Fiji but a the steamers make tour OF the
islands .Oing Tonga to Samoa, and IN some IN
stances 10 Tahiti before returning to Aucd and, they
are not aabe for tins shipment OF perishable goods
from Tonga"
And TO this magnificent commercial empire Secretary
Bay ard turns now having done everything IN his
power TO pour cold water upon the scheme tor thr W
Ing open the Congo country TO American com nerce.
simply because il the work Of Republican Admin
istratlOn.