Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-02
THE NAVIGATOR ISLANDS


Germans--A Message from President
Cleveland-Prince Bismarck's Letter
AUCKLAND, January 30.-Advices say the
Germans have declared war against Ma
tiefao, and that probably all the Samoans
will Join against the Germans.
THE SENATE ON THE SAMOA PROBLEM.
WAsHINGToN, January 30.-In the Sen.
ate Mitchell offered a resolution, which
was agreed TO, calling upon the Secretary
of the Treasury for statement OF the
amounts in the sinking fund to the credit
of the Union and Central Pacific Rail-
ways, February, 1889, under the Thurman
act with the amount OF each interested in
bonds, the market value OF such bonds,
and the amount which would have been
in the sinking fund il no investment in
bonds had been made.
The Senate resumed consideration OF the
bills in question. being on the amendments
affecting the Samoan islands. Dolph said
the question is one OF special and local in.
terest to the people Of the Pacific coast.
That whatever might be thought as pro-
priety OF general discussion OF Amer
ican rights and interests in the
Samoan islands and OF the
relations OF the government OF the United
States to the German Government. the
discussion had proceeded 80 far as to rem
der further discussion desirable. The
views which he would express would be his
own, and individual views should neither
compromise the government, nor receive
undue attention elsewhere. After general
description of the islands, their products,
and commercial Importance,
Dolph reviewed the history OF affairs since
the United States Government first took
an interest in the islands and the receipt OF
news OF the occurrences which had involved
the United States in some controversy with
the German Government.
In the course OF his review, Dolph came
to the point where United States Consul
Greenbaum
RAISED AN AMERICAN FLAG
over the Samoan flag, in the harbor OF
Apia, an act which had been, he said,
promptly repudiated by Bayard and the
fact OF the repudiation given to the Ger.
man and English governments, with q sug.
gestion as to q protectorate.
Morgan stated that Bayard Lad never
committed the United States government
to position. There should be either a sep
ate or joint protectorateo over the Islands,
not believing protectorate entirely con-
sistent with autonomy.
Coming down to the conference in Wash
ington in July, 1887, Dolph told OF the
agreement then made, pending that the
conference status quo should be observed.
Morgan asked him for his authority for
the statement that the German govern
ment has agreed to observe the status
quo.
Dolph replied there might have been no
such special agreements, but the observ-
ance of status quo was necessarily implied.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, January 30.-The Presi-
dent to-day-sent to the Senate and House
additional correspondence relative to
Samoan affairs, accompanied by the fol-
lowing passage of Congress:
-"I had the honor on the 18th inst. to
to your honorable body Ger.
tain correspondence and documents in re-
lotion to affairs in the Samoan Islands,
aud having since received further dispatches
from the vice consul at Apia and the com.
mander OF the United States naval vessel
Nipsic in those waters, 1 lose no time in
laying them before you. Il also
transmit herewith the full text
of the instructions of Prince
Won Bismarck to the minister at this cap
ital, which was communicated on the after
noon OF the 2Sth inst. This appears to be
IN amplification of prior telegraphic in
struction, on the same subject sent through
the same channel, and which, being set
'orth in the note of the secretary OF state to
Count Won Alvensleben, the German min
ster, OF the 18th inst, which was duly laid
before Congress, with my last message in
relation to the
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
ut is also proper to inform you that on
Monday, the 28th inst, the eccasion of the
or note OF Prince Bis
marck, the secretary of state was given to
understand, by the German Minister, that
the proposition from his government to
that OF the United States for conference
on Samoan subjects, was on it's way by
mail, having left Berlin on the goth inst,
80 that it's arrival here in due course OF
mail can be looked for in very short
time.
In reply to an inquiry from the secretary
Of state whether the proposition referred to
was for a renewal of the joint conference
between the United States, Germany and
Great Britain, which was suspended in
July, 1887, or for consideration OF Sa.
moan affairs alb navo, the German Min
ister stated his inability to answer until
the proposition which left Berlin on the
goth inst. should have been received. /
shall hereafter communicate to Congress all
before me in relation to the
Samoan question"
The correspondence accompanying this
of the Presidents, gives
OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS OF EVENTS In SAMOA,
practically the same as they have been
already outlined in press dispatches.
Regarding the seizure of the small boat
and destroying the American flag, Captain
Mullane Of the Neipsic says, that on Janu-
ary 1 he wrote to the captain bof the
vessel and received reply to the
effect that there was no flag flying on the
boat. This is not true, as the boat was
seen from the consul's Office, also by 9TH
ers in other parts of the town, plainly fly
ing the American flag. This is the usual
way Germans adopt for Strengthening out
outrages they commit.
In conclusion the Captrin says: II am OF
the opinion that our government should
have at this point more vessels, especially
at this time. have caused to be posted in
the town Of Apia notice that the lives OF
all American citizens will find protection
ON board this vessel under my command,
and tl.at at the first intimation of an out
burst OF hostilities, shall land my forces
for the protection Of their property"
The last letter is one from Prince Bis
marck to Coun Won Arcovally, Of which the
following is a translation:
BIsMARCK's LETTER.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRs,(
BERLIN, January 13, 'S9.I
have already notified your excellency
that, according to the telegrapbic commu-
nications from Apia on the 18th OF Decem-
ber, q detachment of German naval forces
which had landed at the requisition OF the
imperial consul for the protection OF Ger.
mans who were endangered by the conflicts
between the natives and parties OF them,
was attacked by armed Samoans belonging
to party OF Chief Mataafa. In this un-
provoked attack, which is said to have
taken place under the leadership OF an
American named Klein, more than fifty
German soldiers and officers were
killed and wounded. In consequence