Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
The President Transmits the Correspond
ence to Congress.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-The president to-
1av transmitted to congress the Samoan
correspondence mentioned in his annual
message. The correspondence opens with
communication from Consul General
Sewell, at Apla, TO Assistant Secretary
Porter, under date of October s, 1887, en-
closing statement from II. j. MOOrs, a
leading American merchant at Samoa,
stating plainly the case Of Americans
whose land titles are endangered by the
installment OF TamaSese as king and the
consequent control of the government by
The Germans He says the property of
Americans is liable to be taken from them
IN the slightest pretext, and calls atten-
ton to the needs of government protection
TO its citizens.
On November 4, 1881, Baron Sedwyz,
German charge d'affairs, handed to Secre-
tary Bayard n memorandum containing
the counter project of the German gov
ernment to the proposition of Mr.. Bayard.
Mr.. Bayard'S proposition was that the ex-
ecutive branch of the future government
of Samoa should consist of n coun-
ell composed of five persons, VIZ:
The king, vice king and three for
eign ministers to be chosen from
the nationalities Of three treaty making
powers and TO discharge the duty of minis
Ter of foreign affairs, minister OF the in
terror aud treasurer. These ministers
should have seats on the floor OF the
faipule and take part IN the debates, The
principal objection to this plan, urged by
the German government, was that IN
country like Samoa, where there Is pop
ulation of 200 white persons and a native
population of 5000 living III the most
primitive condition, division of the gov
ernment into separate branches Is not at
present practicable, and that the appoint
ment of three white ministers would en-
tail too great an expense. If the American
government cannot be convinced of the
practical advantages of the German
English proposition, if 1t regards the car
rying out the same as dangerous to the
II dependence and independence Of Samoa,
and as a deviation from the traditional
policy of the United States in the Pacific
ocean, the imperial government has no de-
sire to adhere to the plan and to renew the
discussion thereof. The imperial govern
ment, however, for the reasons stated con-
siders the counter proposition made by
Mr.. Bayard during the conference for an
executive branch of the government com
posed of five members as impracticable
and is unable to regard the same as sufiic-
lent ground for further negotiations. The
memorandum is signed by Count Bis
iGarck.
In communication from the United
States legation at London, dated May s
she under secretary of foreign affairs for
Great Britain was quoted as saying: Her
maiesty'S government have seen 10 cause
10 take part on either side in the differ
znces between King Malietoa and the en-
peror of Germany. At present Tamasese
is the king de facto and will be recognized
10y her maiesty's government
that peace and order continue TO be main
tanned by German ships of war but native
disatfectiOn prevails throughout the
group. He also says that the German
government has sought TO enforce its SUI
2remacy on the islands by control of the
nails and appointing its vice consul post
master.
Under the same date Consul General
Sewall recommends adjustment Of the
present government and temporarily oc-
cupying the islands He is aware that
such a step has never been contemplated
ny the department, but says it could be
effected without opposition and seems to
be the only solution of the trouble.
In letter of August . by Secretary
Bayard TO Minister Phelps, in which he
expressed the views Of the government
upon the Samoan treaty. he says:
II do not perceive, at present, any
reason why the United States
should yield any one part of its existing
exclusive consular jurisdiction over Amer
.cans in Samoa"
On the first of October Mr.. Bayard COM
municated TO Mr.. Pendleton, minister to
Germany, the Intention of the United
States TO respect the choice of the Samoan
people in their selection of Malietoa and
assumed that the other treaty making
powers would take a similar course In
response, Mr.. Coleman, of the legation at
Berlin, telegraphed MIR. Bayard that the
privy CouSellor Halstein had informed
aim that the German consul at Apia had
been directed TO restrict his action TO what
vas necessary to secures the lives and
property of the German subjects.
Under date of Apia. October s, Com
mander Leary informed Captain Fritz that
lnder the shadow of the German port at
Mullnum atrocities have been committed
on American property and the lives of the
American owners have been threatened
aud Jeopardized by armed marines who
appeared TO be sheltered by the naval force
belonging TO the vessels under Captain
Fritz's command. In reply Captain Fritz
says: such is the state of affairs in Sa-
moa that have TO regard the questions
addressed TO me as not totally devoid of
political character. and beg you TO con-
slider the matter in the hands of the diplo-
matte representatives of the United States
and Germany residing in Samoa"
November q Mr.. Bayard wrote to Count
Arco. German minister at Washington:
In consequence of the verbal communi-
cation made TO me by you yesterday
under instructions of your government in
relation TO the interest of Germans and
of Americans at Samoa, | have in
formed our representative 1T Berlin ana
shall similarly instruct the United States
consul at Samoa that every endeavor is 10
be made TO avoid all friction or conflict of
interests between citizens OF the govern
meuts In their business operations on the
islands. In case OF any questions arising
which cannot be promptly and satisfacto-
rily arranged between these officials,
then the points of dispute shall at once be