Wichita eagle., 1889-02-09
THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
Protocols Of the Conferences on Samoan
Affairs Laid Before Congress.

Affairs Laid Before Congress.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.-The protocols, or
official minutes of the conferees or the con-
ferenoss on Samoan affairs, held in this
city in 1887 together with additional cor
respondence on the subject, were laid be-
fore congress this afternoon.
The memorandum of instructions of
Prince Bismarck to the German minister
at Washington, read by latter to the sec
retary of state February 4, is follows:
THE present situation in Samoa regard
ing interests of the three treaty powers
render it necessary to renew the
attempt to bring the future
of those islands to an understanding. The
position of the three treaty powers IN the
civilized world makes it their duty to stop
| the bloody combat, accompanied by bar
! barous customs of these not numerous
| tribes, for whose. welfare, according to the
| Judgment of the civilized world, 1t is a
| duty of treaty powers to provide. Prince
| Bismarck, in consequence, considers 1t
duty of the participating governments to
| put an end by the agreement OF treaty pow
ers to the troubles which have originated
! in Samoa by restitution OF the
| peace among the Samoans themselves,
and so make an end OF future
! bloOdshed and the horrors of civil war,
conducted with baroarous cruelty, among
the natives. The best remedG seems TO be
! a resumption of the consultation which
! took place between the representatives OF
| Germany, England and the United States
| in the year 1887, at Washington, and at
| that time adjourned without any possibll-
! ity of their representatives coming to an
| agreement. In consequence l have been
requested by Prince Bismarck to propose
40 you to resume, with Germany and the
British government. the Onsultation re
garding the Samoan question. The last
| conference took place at Washington. Ac-
cording to the equal rights OF the three
| trea5y powers, it seems proper
that the place for the negotiations
shall change In regular turn. Based upon
this opinion | am directed to invite the
government OF the United States to H.
ference regarding Samoa to take place at
Berlin and a similar invitation has been
sent to The British government. am also
direct ed to declare that any supposltlon
that Germany would not feel satisfied with
a neutral position in the Samoan Islands Is
unfounded, as we have already declared in
the last conference (of 1880 it Is neither
our intention to put in question the indie
pendence of the island group nor the equal
rights Of the treaty powers. We SIM
piy desire to create condition
which offers permanent security
for bringing to an end bloodshed and de-
cal itation and which grants permanent
safety 30 commercial interests OF the three
treaty powers in Samoa"
On February the secretary of state sent
a communication to Count Afcovaliey,
stating that the president fully shares in
the desire expressed by the prince chan
cellA to bring the blessings of peace and
! order to the remote and feeble community
of semi-civilized people inhabiting the
islands of Samoa, and that he clearly
recognizes the duty of the powerful nations
OF ChristendOm to deal with these people
in IA spirit OF magnamlnlty and beDevo-
lence.
"On behalf of the United States
government" continues the secretary,
'the president instrucJs me to
express his acceptance Of the proposition
of the government OF Germany TO resume
the consultation held in this city between
the Representatives of the United States,
Germany and Great Britain which was
suspended on the 26th of July, 18S7-such
consultation to be renewed as 1t was under
taken for the purpose OF establishing
peace and an orderly, stable government
in the Samoan islands on the basis of their
recognized independence and equal rights
of the three treaty powers. The resump
tion of such conference as Is now proposed
by Prince Bismarck upon the general lines
advanced by each of the three powers as
set forth in protocols of the con-
ference as far as it has progressed
and embracing certain points
of agreement, appears to present the hope
full prospect for securing the welfare of the
Samoan people and such an equalization
of the territorial jurisdiction as will pre-
vent preponderant control by any nation
and secure equal rights of commerce and
navigation to all.
The sooner this conference can be re-
sumed the better And ia view of the late
deplorable scenes of bloodshed which have
been exhibited upon Samoan soil, entail
ing deeply regrettable loss to Germany it
appears TO be essential that a2truce should
be forthwith proclaimed and further
armed action should be arrested. 4 con
tention Of arms by such scanty
band as the Samoans against the
vast armament of Germany has of course
but one result assured in advance and
would be manifestly futile. There is no
feature of equality in such struggle. As
the assurance of Prince Bismarck the paci
tication of the Samoan group and the oc-
cupancy of a neutral position are his only
object is as frankly admitted by the
United States as it Is rendered bv Ger
many. 1t is suggested in furtherance OF
the desired result of the conference that
instructions to suspend belligerent action
and await the action of such conference
should at once be telegraphed to their re
spective officers in Samoa by the three
treaty making powers. To continue to
prosecute war OF destruction and
reprisal even upon admitted provocation,
would surely not be consistent with the
objects of any of the three powers. It is
hoped, therefore, that orders OF the nature
indicated VIII be forwarded to Samoa
without delay. The announcement of
conference between the treaty powers, It is
confidently expected, will at once cause
cessation OF hostilities among the natives
49,, Af l.
certainly be long step towards harmony.
Except as the conditions may be changed
bv a fair election of king by the natives.
il is deemed essential that affairs IN Sa-
moa shall remain in statu quo pend
ing the conference. IL we may
indulge the hope which the adoption of
this suggestion promises for a successful
issue OF the conference the government
of the United States viii at once take steps
10 be properly represented az the meeting
Of such conference in Berlin.
The statements you read to me SIS
enanating from the German consul at
Samoa in which he finds fault with the
conduct Of Captain Leary, of the Nipsic.
aud of Mr.. Blackjack, the United States
consul, as vioiative of the instructions of
this government to maintain an impartial
attitude in conflicts IN Samoa, do
not appear 10 be substautiated
by an averment of any personal knowl-
e0Ee OF IacNs anu must nave Deen o5stu on
information and belief only. or are re-
peated at second hand and must be ciassed
as merely hearsay evidence. These con
dieting statements of the German consul
will be brought to the attention of Captain
Leary and Mr.. Blackjack and their re-
plies viii be communicated. Much al
lowance must be made for the excitement
prevailing in Samoa. which is not favor
able TO accuracy or moderation OF state
menr. especially OF those concerned as
actors.
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