Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-02-25
CONCERNING SAMOA.
A Much More Sensible View
of the Matter.
AN OFFICIAL FAR TOO FRESH
Germany Has no Desire Whatever to
Ruffle the Feathers of the
Bird of Freedom.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

BERLIN, February 24.-The Berlin
Post reprints an article from the Weser
Zeiteng on the Samoan question, and re-
marks that in many respects the views
therein taken are correct. The article
in question rejects the supposition that
the Government came to terms with
America owing to Germany's position in
regard to France, and says: Neither
under the present nor under any other
circumstances would Germany have
risked rupture with America for such a
bagatelle. The Samoan white book
shows that whatever actions the German
officials took we're repudiated. 1t was
because the officials acted contrary to in
ternatienal law. The press criticisms
evoked by the white book were almost
entirely directed against the excess of
zeal displayed by the German agents,
who appeared to be lacking iii the states
manlike discretion necessary in dealing
with the situation. The Samoan reports
show an endeavor to make German an
nexation or protection necessary"
After stating that the conflict of De-
cember Is might have been averted, had
the German Consul taken more pains to
adhere literally to his instructions, which
were that he should not intervene. but,
in the event of Tamasese's ability 10
hold his ground, he should support the
negotiations between Tamasese and Ma
taafa.
The Weser Zeitung continues to say
that whether Mataafa's people were led
by an American or not, is of no con-
sequence, as the American Government
cannot we'll be made responsible for the
action of individuals. The German Con-
sui, however, by his action, undoubtedly
burdens his government with such re-
sponsibility. The contras between the
attitude of the Consul and of the Gov
ernment is shown by the "white book"
and, therefore, is easily explained.
The Cologne Gazette violently attack
ing the Freissinnige Presse repeats the
demand for the punishment or extradi-
tion of the American, Klein, as a COM
mon criminal. The North German
Gazette publishes a map of one of the
Samoan Islands. study of which, it de-
clares, leaves no doubt of the preponder-
ance of German interests in Samoa.
LONDON, February 24.-The Times
DorllH CoTIeSpOHuout says. AT u uluuoT
given by Prince Bismarck to the men,
bers Of the Lower House of the Prussian
Diet on Friday, the Chancellor said he
regarded it as an utter impossibiliiy that
the Samoan question should have the
effect of interrupting the friend
ly relations between Germany
and America which had existed for
century. The geographical situation of
Samoa and the imperfection of tele-
graphic communication rendered it III
possible for him to be responsible for all
the acts of German agents in the Pacific,
but the parties in the dispute were ami
mated by the best spirit, and no doubt
Germany's commercial interests would
not materially suffer.
BERLIN, February 24.-The German
squadron that has been ordered to Port
Said, consists of the Stosch, Moltke,
Charlotte and Olga. Owing to their
small coal capacity, it would take these
vessels three months to reach Samoa.