The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-25
in future, as heretofore, form a neutral

patches carefully this afternoon and re-
marked with smile: "rhoy seem TO bc
hurling defiance in our teeth, don't
thcy?' When asked ii he had not some
further comment to make on the subject,
he said he had not. lie subsequently in
timated, however, that there were im-
portant differences in the statements made
by the North Gpmm Gds,tt6 and the Prcsi-
dents message 20 Congress OF the 10Th in
slant, in regard 10 the treaty rights Of
Germany, Great Britain aud the United
States in the Samoan matter. lie de-
clined TO point out the discrepancies,
but repeated that the position of our
Government ON the question us stated by
the Gdsttt, somewhat differed from our
position as defined by the President in his
message, Mr. Riyes would say no more,
but It Is understood that he referred par
ticuarly TO that passage in tho message
whore the President says; Acting within
the restraints which our Constitution and
laws have placed upon the executive
power ! have insisted that the autonomy
and independence OF Samoa should be
scrupulously preserved according to the
treaties made with Samoa by the powers
named Germany, Great Britain and tho
the United Sntos) and their agree
ments aud understanding with each
other. have protested against every
act apparently tcnding in an opposite
direction, and during the existence of
International disturbance one or moro
vessels OF war have been kept in Samoan
waters TO protect American citizens and
property"
Secretary Whitney declined to be inter.
viewed in regard 10 the publication In the
North German Gdsctis. Tho policy Of the
Government he said, was mixed, and
anything which might bo said in regard
10 II must come from the State Depart.
mcnt. The Navy Department had no
jurisdiction over the matter except Of an
executive character. No new orders, the
Secretary said, had beon issued by the
Navy Department in regard To the Samoan
affairs.
Senator Elmunds, when made ac-
quainted with the tenor of the uttcrances
OF the Berlin Gds,ftc, said: 81 suppose IL
bismarck wants 10 express his opinion
upon any subject lac feels ut perfect liberty
TO do 80, but also suppose that the cx.
preston ol such opinion will not serve to
deter the American people from carrying
out any policy they may adopt as dcsir.
AAAN VI NiAANNANNs AAiN t'AhNAh AHAAAAAAH
aro ON the highway of commerce across
the Pacific Ocean, and are Of great I'M
portancc with relation 10 the development
Of the trade via the projected canals
across the lsthmus oi Panama aud across
Nicaragua. To a power whose ships are
sent on long cruises the establishment Ol
cnaling stations is q necessity, and the lo-
cation OF one ON the central island OF the
Samoan group, ~ provided for in the pro.
posed amendment Ia the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill, reported 10y
the Committee ON Foreign Relations, is
looked upon Ss one Of great importance 10
us.
Such members Of the House Committee
on Foreign Affair, ~ could bc seen tonight
were ayen'o to discussing freely the prcs-
cnt state Of our relations with Samo' In
view Of the fact that thu subject is now
before the Committee. aud they are cN'
pcctcd to communicate their vicws form.
ally 10 the House In the shape Of a report
Representative Russell. oi Mas-achu.
scits. who was today designated M mem
Der ui the subcommittee having the mat.
ter in charge, said that hc really knew very
little oi Samoan affairs. lie had not read
the correspondence sent 30 Congress hy tho
President, but intended b. do M a. spon as
Il came before the committee in q husi-
ness way. When told ui the position taken
by the North Gamuu G1slHf. Mr Russell
remarked that III matters should reach nn
extreme point, ! don't believe that We are
going 10 be- eaten up 10y any European
power"
Mr. Hit, a leading Rcpu blican member
oi the committee. WIS inclined Ia take q
peaceful view Of the situation. lie listened
carefully 10 the reading Oi the North Gsr-
man Gdiotc article and then remarked
that he did not notice that 10 contained
anything that WIS untrue. There was u
skilllul play upon words ns would b. OBJ
served upon reelection. There was no Ia.
formation IN his possession 10 the elect
that the United States aud Germany had
by treaty bound themselves tU preserve
Samoan autonomy. Still II was evident
that, while cautiously written, the article
brcathcd hostile spirit, melted, no doubt,
by exaggerated accounts which bad reached
Berlin Of the feeling in America The
fact b. said Mr Hit, that We arcHuilcrIngiDr
lack Of information. Tho President, to uso
bis term, "folcgalcd' the cntiro subject 90
Congress, but, unfortunately, failed to
transmit q copy ol agreement between the
representatives Of the United States, Eng
land aud Germany. Just what that ngruo
mont h.. or how IL binds tho United States,
nobody IN CongrCss knows but II must hU
n very bad agreement under which ihO
present state oi affairs In Samoa has ~.
suited. 80 long ~ the country knows that
/ tho wise men oi both political parties iu
/ the Senate have been fully advised and
/ taken into the Presidents confidence, lh,
| people rest IN on9o. but they are not di8'
/ posed to trust too much 81 the inlnllibility
oi ono man, particularly ono Who hng bron
~ lnmoniably unlurky la thc exercise OF
| his Judgment
Continuing, Mr. lliil said that The Der.
I lin dispatch didnot add 10 thr information
/ we already Possessed. Touching thr pos
/ Ebility NJ serious trouble resulting tom
/ the samoan affair hc WIS disposed "a
/ make light Of H. OF course, said hc, There
| cannot iut An Instant Boz any doubt H "a
/ the action u the United States u an Ut.
| tempt IL made ~ misirylt us, bat hu had
/ confidence IN the strong common FnusH oi
| the leaders ON both sides Ol thc srl.
! After nll, matter Oi such isht im.
| pOrlnncr could not reasonably bg expected
/ 10 bring about war between ihu United
States aud q nation which hs lpf us th,
kIudpst, wamr4l feelings. Even Bismarck
would not bc likely lo push the matter ip.
lar lest hc should lose tho moral support
Of the uormln people, who rumpmbcI
with gratitude The kindly and Cilcclul
aid extended 10 them Ia time u tfoubl,
by thc United States, which had resulted
IN saving lhe lives and property oi thou
| sands Ui German citizens iu a iyrrlg
country. But Il was possible, said Nj
lli, In conclusion, that II Prince B..