The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
Official Correspondence Relating
To the American and German In
terests in the Islands.
The Matter of Choosing a King
Thoroughly Discussed.
Very Little Done in Either the
House or the Senate.
Congress Adjourns Until January q
Senator walthall's Bill For the
Redemption of tho Public
Lands of Mississippi.

message. The correspondence opens with
communication from Consul General
Sewall at Apia 10 Secretary Porter, under
date Of October s, 1887, inclosing q state
ment from IL. ]. Moors, q leading Ameri-
can merchant at Samoa, stating plainly
the case OF Americans whose land titles
are endangered by the instalment Of Tam
asese rs King and the consequent control
OF the Government by the Germans. lie
says the property of Americans is liable to
be taken from them on the slightest provo
cation, and calls attention TO Government
protection for It's citizens. On November
4, 1887, Baron Zcdtwtz, German Charge
dAnaires, handed to Secretary Bayard
memorandum containing the counter pro.
ject OF the German Government TO the
proposition OF Mr.. Bayard. Mr.. Bayard's
proposition was that the executive branch
OF the future Government OF Samoa should
consist OF Council composed OF five per
sons, namely: The King, Nico.King and
three foreign mir 'stcrs 10 be chosen from
the ngtionalitics of the three treaty-mal-
ing powers, and TO discharge the duties of
Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Minister of
the Interior and Treasurer. These Minis.
ters should have seats on the floor of the
Faipule and take part in the de.
bates The principal objection TO this
plan urged by the Germnns was.
that n country like Samoa, where there is
population OF 200 white pergons and a
native population OF 5000 living in the
most primitive condition, division OF
the Government into separate branches is
not at present practicable. aud that the
appointment Of three white Ministers
would entail too great expense II the
American Government cannot be con-
yinccd Of the practical advantages Of the
German. English proposition, aud II il re-
CARDS the carrying out the same as dan
gerous TO the independent neutrality oi
Samoa aud ~ deviation from the tradi-
tional policy OF the United States in im-
pcrial government, aud has no desire 10
adhere TO the plan and TO renew the dis.
cussion thereof, the Imperial Government
for the reason stated considers the counter.
proposition made by Mr.. Bayard during
the conference for an executive branch In
the Government, composed OF five mem
bers, "a impmcticabla and is unable 10 NJ.
gard the same az sufficient ground Tor fur
thcr negotiations
The memorandum is signed by Count
Bismarck.
In communication from the United
States Legation at London, dated MAY S.
the Undcr Secretary Of Foreign Affairs for
Great Britain is quoted as saying "llcr
Nnicsty's Government sees no cause 90
take part on either side in the differences
between King Maliciol and the Emperor
| oi Germany. At present Tamascsc 4 the
| King de iacio, aud will be recognized by
her Majcsty's Government"
Consul-Gcncral Scwull on Nav -. saws
that peace aud order continue 20 be
maintained by German ships-oiwar, but
native disailcction prevails throughout
the group. lie also says that the German
Government has sought tO onl0rcn it,
supremacy on the islands by the control
OF the mails and appointing postmaster.
Under the same date Mr.. ScWalI rccom-
mends the abolshmcnt Of the present
government aud temporarily occupying
the islands. lie says hc Is aware that
such step has never been contemplated
by the department. but ays Il could be
effected without opposition, and seems b.
be- the only solution Of the problem.
Mr.. Bayard says IL DO not perceive nj
present any reason why the United states
should yicid any part oi ~ existing cxclu.
siyo consular jurisdiction over Americans
| IN Samoa"
On the 1T Of October Mr.. Bayard com.
/ municatcd 20 Mr.. pcndlot0n, Minister tp
| Germany, the intention OF the United
States 10 respect the choice OF tho samoan
/ post Ia their selection, and assume that
| the trcnty-making powers would take q
similar course. ia rrlpOnso, Mr. Cole
man, Ol the legation nt Berlin. iolcNnphel
/ -. 4 4 4 d
| had informed him that the German Com
| sul at Apia had been directed IN restrict
| his action 10 what wns necessary 10 srcurr
the lives aud property oi German subjects.
| Under date Oi Apla, October s. Tom.
mandcr lnary Informed Capt Fnizp that
/ under the shadow II the American tort AZ
| Mulinium atrocities have boon committed
/ IN American property and lives Of the
| American owners have been threatened
aud icoparlilcd by armed marines. who
| appear 20 be sheltered by the naval force
belonging 10 the vessels undcr Capt
| FniNs command.
IN replying, Capt Fritz Hye "sueh
/ b. the state OF alliim la Samoa that have
10 regard the questions addressed t1 mo
/ ns not totally devoid Oi u political chamc.
| ter, and 20 bog yon 90 consider the matter
/ in The hands Of the diplomatic representa-.
| uycs OF tho United states aud Germany
residing In Samoa"
November "a, Mr Bayard wrote 10
/ Count Arco, German Minister at Wash.
ingion. "ln consequence OF the verbal
| communication made to me by you yrs.
| tcfday, undor Instructions Of your Gov.
/ ornmvnt IN relation lo the interest OF Ger.
/ mans aud oi Americans at samoa. / have
/ informed or representatives at Berlin to
instruct the United States Consul that
| every cndoayof u TO be male 10 avert all
l friction or conflict Of interests between cit.
| izons Of the two Governments In the
islands In case Of any question arising
which cannot be promptly aud alisiac.
torily arranged between those officials.
| then the points Of dispute shall al onco bo
rcmitted for decision 10 Berlin or 10 this
capital. believe Il was clearly under.
stood between us that the present condi.
| ton Oi affairs at samoa had been reported
similarly 10 the foreign Office NJ Berlin and
this department Baron Won liolstein
stated be lad received the eamc ao.
count from the German rcpfo sentative