Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-02-08

large measure the grievous responsibility
for the distresses which now threaten
the very existence OF the Samoan people.
When | arrived in Samoa the insurrec-
ton of Tamasese, fostered by German
officials for purposes now made plain,
was on the point of disintegration.
Malietoa, who had been repeatedly held
back bv our representatives from assert
ing his authority, had determined to
tolerate this no longer. The day after l
arrived l received instructions, the pur-
port of which was to restrain him.
did so, giving him to understand, as
Bayard gave me to understand, that
neither he nor his people would be
allowed to suffer. Malietoa yielded at
my solicitation, and our national honor
was pledged that we would insist upon
our treaty rights to the independent ex-
istence of Samoa. / could not better
by this mission of mine. AS a matter OF
fact, public documents now before Con-
gress show that the instructions, in
obedience to which | acted on this occa-
sion, were sent me at the instance Of the
German and British Ministers. In less
than a month German ships arrived,
Malietoa and his chiefs were de-
ported, man whose life L had
saved by my intervention was in
stalled at Malietoa's place, pitiless perse-
cution began against Samoans suspected
of friendship for our flag, and German
control was as effectually established as
under open annexation. Having re-
strained the Samoans when they coulG
have dest, Dyed Tamasese and, with his
destruction, the basis for German inter-
ference, urged their submission, trust
ing that, finally, when the truth was
known, our promises to them would be
fulfilled and our own honor saved by the
restoration of the status before the con-
ference when gave Malietoa such fatal
advice. In justice to myself, and in the
hope of securing it for these wretched
people. speak as do. Before leaving
for Samoa 1 had been about the State
Department and, with the President, at
odd intervals, for month, explain
ing the situation, pointing out
the inevitable result of the Ger
man proceedings and warning them
that that would happen which has come
to pass. When the rising OF Mataafa
became known and the German fleet was
ordered to return to Samoa, l asserted
positively to Bayard that there could be
but one motive in this, and that was to
actively assist Tamasese in fighting Ma
taafa. Bayard repeated to me fresh as
surances from Bismarck that Germany
did not care who was King. But imme-
diately on the arrival of the German
ships with the new German Consul, DIR.
Knappe, we find them siding with Tama-
sese and precipitating conflict, Tor
which the Samoans will be forced to pay
heavily. Realizing the unfortunate pre-
dicament of our own people, and bitterly
conscious of our obligations to the Sa-
moans, sought to get from Bayard in
structions that would enable me to assert
our proper position; but all the instruc-
tions received was copy of an apologetic
note to the German Consul on account OF
an alleged newspaper interview with me,
and fresh assurances from Germany"
Regarding the action of the State De-
partment accepting Bismarck's PROPOSE
ton for conference at Berlin, Mr.. Sew
all said he concurs with every one who
has studied the question that the restor-
alton of the status quo should be prelimi-
nary to any negoti ,tions. Bismarck g
proposition to renew the conference on
German ground means much. Minister
Pendleton is sick, and whoever repre-
sents us is to be removed from American
public feeling and moreover, is not like
ly to be we'll acquainted with the sub
ject. Weber, for years German Consul in
Samoa, and Becker, late German Consul
there, together with host of other Of.
ficials who know Samoan politics are in
Berlin and will aid Bismarck. Weber
was in Washington during the conference
here coaching the Misister. Besides. the
history of our negotiations with Germany,
as pointed out by Bates, should caution
us and make us reluctant to accept any
assurances, for they have been made
most freely on the eve of her most i'm.
portant movements there"
Secretary Bayard was seen but de-
clined to say any thing on the subject.