, 1889-01-25
What is Thought at washington.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Dispatches
have been received at the state depart
ment from the American minister at Ber-
lin in regard to the Samoan question.
Their contents are withheld from publ
city except some extracts from German
newspaper giving accounts of and com
menting on the fight in which so many
Germans lost their lives. The previous
languid tone OF the press IN regard to
Samoan affairs was quickened to fever
heat by the DaS K leiae Journal Of Berlin
of the eth inst, which says:
According to the official report from
Apia of the 18th of December, the land
ing CORPS of Olga was sent to accompany
the German consul to the scene OF wal of
the natives in consequence of destruction
OF German property and bodily insults to
men OF the marine service while on leave,
the consul going there for the purpose of
instituting disarmament. On the way to
Boilele plantation the landing corps of
the Olga was surprised and attacked by
insurrcctionists under the leadership of an
American named Klein. A landing being
thereupon made by the cruiser Adler and
the gunboat Eb,r, the natives were
thrown back and several of their villages
situated on the coast were destroyed.
Lieut.. Siegcr and fifteen men were killed.
L~ieutenants Spengler and Burchardt, as
well as thirty-six men, were wounded.
They gained a victory, but it was a costly
one aud not one to be reioiced over.
Germany meddlinG in the quarrels of
Kings Mataia, Malietoa and TatIascse
has beer hailed with rejoicing from sew
eral quarters for the reason that the final
result of the business was expected to be
the occupation of Samoa by the German
empire. England and the United States
do not, however, agree to such cOnsuma
ton and now w have ever lost a number
of men in battle with the depised island
crs. A new Leaf In the history of our
colonial policy, a laurel leaf, but a sort of
one not to be proud Of"
Dispatches from Berlin and London in
regard TO the attitude of Germany on the
Samoan question were the subject OF
general discussion IN tits city this even
ing. A representative of the Associated
Press was accorded a brief interview with
Secretary Bayard this evening. lie said
he had read the dispatches in question,
but said it would not be proper Tor him
to discuss the subject at this time. He
said although Germany may have larger
interests in Samoa than the United States
it had no better or later information from
that country han the United States.
In regard to the statement that Ger
many would violate no treaty in acquir
ing the ascendancy in Samoa, the declara-
ton concerning the boundaries of the
German and English dominions in the
NJ. lD..E &. a.an ., a,r,xl .l-,,. Al a
1856, by Count Bismarck on the part of
Germany and Sir Edward Mallot on the
part of Great Britain. BaYard says he
thought this agreement precluded Ger
man acquisitions in Samoa and she was
bound to respect the right of that island.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY RIvEs
read the dispatches earthly this aft, rnoon
and remarked with a smile, They seem
TO be hurting defiance in our teefh. don't
they?" When asked if he had no farther
comment to make on the subject, he said
he had not. Tie subsequently, intimated,
however, that there were important diff
]ferenccs in the statements made by the
North German Gazette, and the presi-
dents message to congress of the 10th
inst in regard to the treaty rights o.
Germany, Great BuJain and the United
States in the Samoan matter. He de
clined to point out the discrepancies, but
repeated that the position ot the govern
ment on the question as stated by the
Gdzctte was different from our position as
defined by the president. Rives would
say no more. but it is understood that he
referred particularly to that passage in
the message where the president says
Acting within the restraints which our
constitution and laws have passed on the
executive power, | have insisted that the
autonomy and independence of Samoa
should be scrupulously preserved accord
ing to the treaties made with Samoa by
the powers named-Gcrmany, Great
Britain and the United Statcs-and their
agreements and understanding with each
other. | have protested against every
act apparently tending in the opposite
direction and during the existence OF in.
ternal disturbance one or more vessels of
war have been kept in Samoan waters to
protect American citiz ms and property
SECRETARY WHITNEY
declined to be interviewed. The policy of
the government, he said, was fixed and
anything which might be said in regard to
. .--.. e.. L.. 49,