The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-13
THE DELAY.
Why the Samoan Question Drags.'
The Claim OF the Germans for q
Nominal Indemnity
Is What Makes Our Government
Hesitate in Signing Protocols.
1t is a Case Where Such Action
Should Neither DO Asked for
Or Granted by tho United States, and In
All Probabilities IL viii Not Be-The
German Contention Irreconclla-
bic With Our views.

NEw YoRR, June l2.-Tho RcralTs
Washington correspondent says: l learn
authoritatiyoly that the question OF NOM
inal indemnity to Germany, or no in
demnity at ALL for the Samoan attack upon
the German landing party last December.
is the cause OF tho not unreasonable delay
at the State Departmental authorizing our
Commissioners at Berlin TO allix their sig
natures TO the treaties.
This question is still under careful con-
sidoration by the Secretary and by tho
President, who is giving his personal
attention TO IT, They have no wish To-
submit tho Administration to either par
tisan or popular criticism, or TO burden
their friends in the Senate with the defense
Of their action, when the treaty shall 20 TO
that body for ratification, by accepting
even the naked principle Of an indemnity
as long as there is reasonable prospect
that Germany, for the sake OF lasting
peace and good noighborhood, may DO
induced 10 waive what Is now but mat
ter Of sentiment.
In point OF fact, our Government does
not admit that the case Is one where the
| German Government should either ask or
expect indemnity, either in substance or
upon principle. The State Department
view Is that the German aggression upon
and active intervention In tho political
affairs OF the Samoan people, all conducted
| by and under the official color OF the Ger
man consulate and naval squadron, con-
stilutcd state Of quasi war between Ger
many aud samoa, aud Justified the chief
tain. Mataaia, In considering the conduct
OF the German naval lorco az Fagali as A
hostile demonstration or movement and
| treating IL accordingly which II exactly
what lac did, and only did.
The German contention Is irreconciablo
| with this official American view. Their
Commissioners nj Berlin have stoutly
maintained the argument that the only
war or state Of hustilitics In Samoa WAS be-
tween two native factions, and that Official
German action was strictly limited 10 tho
protection Of German subjects aud prop
crty against a baTharous people and prac-
ticcs, and 10 n mild and oautionary punlsh-
nicnt Of the conscious insult .! /. petty
and halfciyilizcd ruler Of faction.
They insisted that Mntnafi was PERFECTLY
aware Of tho acknowledgement and merely
clutionary character OF tho German naval
visit 10 faghi, and that II was in the gen.
oral interest Of civilization aud commercial
security that Reasonable, yet substantial,
indemnify should be made by the Samoan
Government, when reconstructed, for this
Nanion attack upon the unsuspecing do
inchmcnt OF tho German marine.
The validity OF this position was not for
ono moment. nor In the smallest extent.
conceded by our commissioners, aud ain
advised that Il found not PARTICLE o.
English support. but In view Of the con-
ccSsions 10y Germany In the matter i'tho
rcparalion Of King Malicioa, and tho EN-.
bnfrassmcni 10 future German relations
with Samoa, aud tho wound to German
sclf-cstccm Of the cmphaticand published
declarations oi Prince Bismarck on respect
Of cXactlng signal ropamlion for this and
other assaults upon German dignity, should
now bc utterly abandoned, our commits
Eioncrs, subject 90 thc approval Of their
Government, have consented to n masked
retreat IN the form Of nominal indem-
nifty.
10 this tho President and Secretary Of
State will agree, and when convinced
them can DO no treaty without IT, Tor as
my informant says "Alr. Blaine has no
idea Of giving up tho substance for
shadow though lac would nightly like tho
shadow In addition"
There is possibility that our legation AZ
| London has been called upon 10 SEQ II IL
be not practicable 10 exert pressure upon
| Berlin through the Marquis OF Salisbury 10
remove this ono obstacle 10 an immediate
aud successful closing Of the conference,
but have not tonight been able TO verify
this ns fact. At all events, II Germany
olslnaloiy stands out Tor the shadow OF a
nominal indemnity she will got Il, but tho
satisfaction OF Il will probably be all taken
away by thc explanations 10 DO given al
the proper time aud place as 10 why our
Government yielded point upon which
Il regards itself us theoretically unassail-
able.
A matter Of minor difficulty which, how
ever, no longer stands Ia the way, Is that
OF the nature aud extent OF tripartile In.
tcrycniion In the rehabilitation OF tho ma
tive Government. Mr.. Blaine has been
unilinchiug Ia the determination that tho
result 1T the political state Of tho Islands
shall b, one OF complete and lasting indie
pcndcncc Tho proposal of a mixed COM
mission on land titles advocated by for
! cigncu, gave him no concern, IL being
necessity OF tho situation aud lutte az inn
porlnnt to American interests as to those
Of Germany, besides which u did no harm
10 samoan autonomy, and the principle OF
Il has long been familiar, la the ex.tcrri-
t0fial jurisdiction exercised or participated
Ia by tho United States In such so.callcd
barbarious countries as Turkey, Egyrt
| Morocco and Japan.
Tho return Of Malioioa Is 10 be a per-
sonal rcpamlion, not regal restoration.
True, he "a King dc jur' circumstance
not al all disagreeablo 10 our authorities,
but his becoming or remaining King DO
iacio Is q matter that he aud his fellow
SamOans will have 10 settle among them
selves. Il viii no, be- possible to preyeit
prepondemling German interests from
publishing their influence o. corruption.
But the State Department has resolved
that every excuse for open Intervention,
however exercised, shall bc avoided by tho
treaty. Tie determination il extremely
acceptable 90 the Australians, and accounts
lor the handsome support our commission.
ors have received from their British col-
leagues NJ berlin. Lord Salisbury has
heard from the colonial Office since he in
sifucicI Lord slckyIlc 10 stand iast by tho