Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-04-16
BLOOD THIRSTY JIM
STEALS A VIGOROUS FOREIGN POLICY"
PROM HIS PREDECESSOR.
The Instructions 10 the Samoan Commissioners Based
Entirely on Mr.. Bayards Claim
Blaine Takes His Cue From
Him all Along.

NEW YORK, April 15.-A Washington
special to the World says: Congressman
W. W. Phelps, ex-Minister Kasson and
George H. Bates, the United States dele
gates to the Samoan Commission, accom-
panied by Lieut.. Parker, ex-Consul Cen
eral Harold NJ. Sewell, and Messenger
Joen Butler, left for Berlin by the Umbria
Saturday morning. Two hours before
their departure a special messenger from
the State Department handed to Mr.. Phelps
a large envelope, bearing several
great red seals. The messenger had gone
from Washington by the night express,
and the envelope he carried contained the
official instructions TO the Samoan COM
missioners. Previous to the departure Of
the commissioners for New York, several
conferences with Secretary Blaine were
held at the State Department, but the
final instructions were the subject Of pro-
trscted and exhaustive discussion az the
Cabinet meeting on Friday. After an
agreement was reached they were redrafted
and intrusted to special messenger for
delivery.
APING BAYARD.
These instructions will be guarded with
great care by the commissioners to pre-
vent their publication, but an accurate ab-
stract showing the powers and limitations
prescribed for the gentlemen who are TO
represent the United States in the coming
conference has been secured. 1t Is strik-
ing and noteworthy fact that In drawing
the instructions the ideas and general pol
icy of Secretary Bayard have been closely
adhered to by Secretary Blaine. In
deed, there is not an item oil
consequence embraced in the in
structions which has not been
emphasized by Mr.. Bayard in the course
of his several statements Of the position OF
the United States in the Samoan contrO-
versy. She commissioners ere instructed
to insist upon the absolute autnomy of the
native government in the Samoan islands.
This is the most important point to be
considered, and its observance is made
sine qua non OF any agreement to be ar
rived az.
Though the note of Primes Bismarck eN-
tending the invitation stated that amy
supposition that Germany would not feel
satisfied with neutral position IN the
Samoan Islands was unfounded, yet IN the
last conference Mr.. Alvensleben, the Ger
man Minister, insisted that the treaty
power having the largest CONNER
cial interests should not be eXclud-
ed from efficient control OF the
Samoan government. Mr.. Bsyard was
moved TO remark that the German Mime
ter's proposition meant absolutism. lie
INQUIRED if the German Minister would
agree to strike out Germany and insert
England or the United States. Mr.. Alyen-
sleben would not consent. Mr.. Bayard
remarked that in the German plan the
preponderating interest was the begin
ming. the middle and the end of the whole
scheme.
WHERE HE GETS HIS CUE
Secretary Blaine takes his cue from MIR.
Bayard, and makes Of paramount import
ance the same consideration that Mr..
Bayard regarded as overshadowing all
Others. In arguing for the absolute
autonomy of the islands, the commission
ers are directed te emphasize the fact that
DO preponderence of commercial interests
should weigh TO the extent OF warranilng
any assignment of authority or influence
with the native government to any repre-
sentative. The commissioners are IN
structed not to admit, under any clrcum'
stances the assumption 20 arrogantly
made by Prince Bismarck that the repre-
sentatiyes of the United States in Samoa
have been in any way responsible for the
deplorable condition Of affairs there.
In letter to Secretary Bayard, Prince
Bismarck said on this point: 1t IL re-
maj kable that in that remote realm OF is-
lands, where neither America or Germany
has any political interest to defend, we are
exposed TO the continued i'll will OF ser
les of American representatives. Should
my suppOsition be right, that those diih-
culties have their origin in the personal
disposition of the American representative
in Apia, and not in their instructions. l
am convinced that the American Govern
ment will cause the necessary redress TO
take place"
This assumption OF Prince Bismarck tho
commissioners are directed to controyert
with emphasis and TO make it absolutely
main. without ambiguity Of language that
the United States will not for one moment
entertain the idea of its responsibility for
damages alleged TO have been suffered by
German subjects or by the Imperial Ger
man government, owning to the state OF
war prevailing in Samoa.