The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-02-08

Policy In asegnrd "a samoa and THAT "
HAS isecn Con -isfentty Adhered t"-Ihe
Trouble IN th~ Islands Hue 20 Political
ana Commercial tntrtgucs -Thc Case
Nor Analogous with That ~ Jlaysi.
BALTIMORE. Md. Jan. 29.-The Suns
correspondent called upon Secretary
Bayard last night al his residences and
had an extended interview with him on
the samoan question. Mr.. bayard describe
"a tie course 81 the Department ~ state
In references to samoan affairs and tho
latest phase of the question. 10 the state
mrnt that the Administration had been
twittcd with having no definite policy IN
the samoan question. he referred 20 the
Presidents message 10 Congress and ac-
companying documents. which, lie said,
show that the Administration long ago
deiined its policy with reference 70 the
Samoan Islands. and has consistently adj
hered to il ever since. That policy was
one of friendly interest IN Somoa. with
neutrality. SO long as the other powers
having interest on the i~land-GrcAt
Britain and Germany exhausted ths
arts OF diplomacy "a secure the samoan
people the right to govern themselves
aud protection from foreign control. Ger
many aud Great Britain both ussented 70
ihi~ policy. and the acts ~ Germany in
consistent with these professions have
grown out Of petty political inlrigleS
among native chiefs and the rivalry
N Foreigners for influence aud
commercial supremacy. With regard
10 the failure ~ this Government
to protest vigorously against Germany's
treatment Of the samoan King. Mr.. Bay
ard states that he has no authority for
such "A course. Maliet0a was net = CITIZEN
of the United States. and American rights
had Ia no way been invaded Germany
claimed that Mnlieioa had violated his
treaty. obligations. and that he vas an
enemy whom she had the right To seize.
Mr.. Rayard said he did what the treaty
with Samoa obligated this country to 10.
He used the good Offices OF this country
again AMI again. but without result. Mr.
Bayard states tint from the very begin
ming Of the samoan troubles Germany has
prof.~-ed the utmost friendiiness 70 the
United States and regard for American
interests on the islands. Only yesterday
he received Il communication from the
German Minister expressing a sincere de-
sire To reach settlement satisfactory 10
this country.
The whole trouble. in Mr.. BayarTs
opinion, Is due to the course Of the trcr-
man trading companies. which have large
interests ia the islands. They have
striyen 10 commit their government - in
dorsemcnt Of acts intended 70 promote
their interests and practically to'seuuro
them control 81 affairs.
1T i not true said the Secretary
that American property has been ws.a-
tonly destroyed by the Germans or the
American flag fired upon. The taitered
remnants Of the flag said to have been
fred upon by the Germans were received
At the State Department yesterday. II
was not the flag az the American Consul-
ate, bnt was in little village when was
being SHIELDED BY the Germans. Inr VII
age took fire and the flag was partly
burned Ii WAS not hViStei ~ assertion
of any American rights and was noi htei
on nor insulted. Besides the Herman
Government hasrxpreSsly di~claimed any
intention Of giving this country cause ol
,tfenSe."
III reply 10 those who contrast the Wig
orouS course Of Secretary linyard toward
Die punv Republic pa iIayti with hi NJ
legged tinidity in dealing with the PIX
Empire 81 Germany. the secretary said
TIE situations in Hayu and SAMOA Were
widely different. Hayti had distinctly
violated its treaty obligations 20 TINS
country. and had seized an American YES
~. ..Thc United States" said Mr.. Bay
ard. lin this instance had q right % act
alone. for it alone was concerned
in the proceedings complained ~. ~
the samoan islands, on the other
hand. American Interests are only nut
rectly threatened. The coaling station at
pangopango. secured 10 the United States
bv treaty. il not involved. Fanvopang"
i on another island, and Germany does
not seek tointcrfere with American au-
thorify there. The Germans are con-
fronted with pretty much the same si'ni :
lion in samoa as that in which the United
states waS involved with hayu. lhey
claim TINT the Samoans. ns did the hay
items. broke their treaty engagements
md that they have the right y PUNISH
them"
IA This connection Secretary Bayar
stated an interesting fact. During ~"
,ronhles growing out Of the seizure ot me
steamer Haytien Republic the french
representative IN Hnyti i said 70 nave M
,erfnrcl Tor the purpose 81 bringing apon1
~. ,.nndscafion Of the vessel. Secretary
pavar,l communicated this fact 70 the
Frsnrh Government, which promptly dis-
aynwed its agents conduct. MI bapnrn
,neS not appear IL think Tint Germnny
w.,t be likely 10 do any thing calculated
~ nsfcnd this country seriously, Il she can
h.f..