The Iola register., 1889-02-22
GERMAN WHITE BOOK.
The Samoan situation From the Germsn
Point OF View.

The Samoan situation From the German
Point OF View.
BERLIN, Feb. 16-In the Reichstsg yes
terday q white book in reference to tho
Samoan matter was introduced. 1t com.
prises forty-four documents, extending
from December 8. 1888, to February D, 1852
Among the documents relating to recent
events is the report of the German Consul
at Apia, dated February "a 1888, which
describes the endeavors of Americans and
Englishmen to provoke conflict
A dispatch dated September 5, 1888,
deals with the revolt of Mataafa and the
spport given him by Captain Leary,
U.S.N.
After an account of the attack upon the
Germans on December Is comes a letter
from Count Herbert Bismarck. dated JAM
uary i, to the German Minister at WASH
ington and London. directing them to in
form Secretary Bayard and Lord Sails
bury respecting the attack and ordering
the Minister ut Washington to complain to
the United States Government that the
American, Klein, was prominent in the
fighting. The Minister is further instruct
ed to declare that Germany adhered to
her treaties and would respect the rights
founded thereon and would appeal to both
Governments to cooperate actively with
Germany and re- establish tranquility.
January 8, Count Herbert Bismarck tele-
graphed to the German Consul at Apia
that, on account of an agreement with the
United States and Great Britain. the an
nexation of Samoa by Germany was out
of the question.
A dispatch sent to the German embassies
at London and Washington January 13
stated that the object of the military
measures against Mataafa and his par
tsans was to punish the murderers of Ger
man soldiers and to secure to German sub.
jects the possession of their property.
A document dated February 2, which
was sent by Count Herbert Bismarck to
Admiral Won der Voltz. chief of the Ger
man Admiralty, says: Germany is not at
war with Samoa, as the term is UNDER
stood by international law, but she regards
Tamasese as the rightful ruler and Mataafa
as a rebel, against whom and his followers
retaliation must be enforced. Anyone
standing by them is promoter of the con-
dict between them and the Germans and
must take the consequences" He con-
cludes by declaring that nothing is
changed in the legal position of foreign
subjects in Samoa.
The white book ends with long report
from the German Consul at Apia. 1t is
dated January and has thirteen append
ices, dealing with events from December
II, 1883. These record that, December IL,
Mataafa in a humble letter sought to open
negotiations with the Consul, but would
not surrender himself, although pledges
We're given that his life would be spared
In a subsequent letter Mataafa promised
to surrender in the presence of the British
and American Consuls, but the German
Consul declined to entertain the offer.
November "a Prince Bismarck sent q
telegram saying that il the vindication OF
Tamasese was impossible the utmost ad-
vances should be made to reconcile him
with Mataafa.
December 3 DIR. Knapp reported that
the American commander at Apia was
stirring the natives against the Germans.
December II Mr.. Blalock complained
that drunken sailors from the German
man -of-war Olga had committed outrages
in Apia, entering houses and wounding
men and women. DR.. Knapp reported
later that foreigners had spread a rumor
that the Germans had been forbidden to
interfere. This rumor had the effect Of
encouraging the natives, who stoned Ger
man sailors and destroyed German prop
critics.
In January, 1889, Prince Bismarck noti-
fled DR.. Knapp that reprisals were neces-
sary, but only such as were consonant with
the treaties of England and America. The
Chancellor said: Because Mahaafa as
saulted Tamasese we shall interfere only
by succoring Tamasese." Prince Bismarck
charged DR.. Knapp to entreat the other
foreign consuls to combine in order to res
tore peace.