The Portland daily press., 1889-02-09
GERMANY WANTED TO RULE SAMOA.
History of the Conference In the
American Capital.
Mr.. Bayard's Proposition for the
Exercise of Equal Power
Met by Claim that Germany Should
Name a Governor.

Met by Claim that Germany Should
Name Governor.
the official ministers of the conference on
Samoan affairs held In this city in 1885, to-
gether with additional correspondence on
the subject were laid before Congress this
afternoon. The first enclosure is telegram
from Minister Pendleton to Secretary Bay
ard, dated at Berlin. Feb. 1st, which says
the statement made to Mr.. Bayard by Count
Arco Valley announcing that the German
government had rebuked its officers for the
declaration of martial law against foreigners.
had anticipated the statement Mr.. Pendleton
was instructed to make the German govern
ment. The memorandum of the instruc-
tions Of Prince Bismarck to the German
minister at Washington read by the latter to
Secretary of State Feb 4th says: "The
present situation in Samoa renders IL neces-
sary to renew the attempt to bring the future
of those islands to an understanding The
position Of the three treaty powers in the
civilized world make 1t their duty to stop
the. bloody combat, accompanied by the bar
barous customs Of those not numerous
tribes, for whose welfare, according TO the
Judgment of 1.-THE civilized world, it is the
duty Of the treaty trainers to provide. Prince
Bismarck proposes that you resume with
Germany and the British government the
consultation regarding Samoa, to take place
at Berlin. A similar invitation has been
sent to the Rritish government. / am also
directed to declare that any supposition that
Germany would not feel satisfied with,
neutral position in the Samoan Islands is
unfounded."
February 5th, the Secretary of State sent a
communication to Count Areo Valley, stat
ing the President fully shared In the desire
expressed by the Prince Chancellor to bring
the blessings of peace and order to the re-
mote and feeble community OF semi-civiliZed
people, the inhabitants OF the islands OF
Samoa. He clearly recognized the duty Of
the powerful nations Of Christendom TO deal
with these people in spirit
of magnanimity and benevolence. The Sec
retary continues: "The President instructs
me to impress his acceptance Of the propo-
sal Of the government Of Germany TO resume
the consultation which was suspended the
26th of July, 1887, for the purpose Of estab-
fishing peace and orderly and stable gov
ernment on the Samoan Islands as the basis
of their recognized independence and the
equal rights OF the three treaty powers.
"The contention of arms by such a scanty
band as the Samoans against the vast arma-
ments of Germany, has, of course, but one
result. 1t Is assured In advance that 1t
would be manifestly futile. 1t is suggested,
In furtherance of the desired result Of the
conference, that instructions to suspend
belligerent action and await the action Of
such conference, should be telegraphed their
respective officers in Samoa by the three
treaty making powers.
by fair election Of King by the natives, 1t
is deemed essential that affairs In Samoa
should remain In statu quo pending the con-
ference"
The Protocols.
tended by Secretary Bayard. Won Alvens-
leben and Sir Lionel West contains the pro-
positions Of the three diplomats as to the
form OF government that should be provided
for Samoa. The German representative set
forth that Malietoa having notoriously vio-
lated treaty rights with Germany, and hav-
ing a small minority OF followers among the
natives, the election of new king must
take place, in oider TO secure peace and or
der on the islands, the foreign representa-
tives to appoint an advisor to the king to act
as mediator of the three treaty powers. He
also suggested absolute equality Of the
three powers on the Islands.
Mr.. Bayard suggested constitutional gov
ernment for Samoa, with a native legisla-
ture, securing independence and autonomy
including the acknowledgment of Malietoa
as liking and Tamaese as vice king. The
English government suggested an agreement
among the treaty powers. one OF them
should act as mediator, the two
others to act as advisors of the Sa-
moan government. The British government
was willing to let Germany have the first
term Of hive years. England agreed
with Germany in acknowledging the
necessity Of the election Of new king. All
the representatives proposed the organiza-
tion of a land court to settle the question Of
titles.
at the second meeting. Secretary Bayard
stated that he understood all had agreed
upon the following points: No annexation
of the islands by any OF the treaty powers;
the Independence and autonomy Of the
islands to be preserved and the equality Of
rights Of commerce and navigation for the
citizens or subject Of the treaty powers; the
native government to be established and as
sisted to maintain itself. The present juris-
diction Of the c0nsuls over their own country
men to be preserved; the present treaties TO
three powers were concerned; means Of ap-
praising revenue for the support OF the gov
ernment to be devised the question taxing
foreigners to be considered; impost and ton
mage duties to be established by identic
treaties between the three powers and the
Samoan government; a land court to be re-
formed to settled titles and holdings of
and.
Great Britain and Germany proposed a
king and council of chiefs. The United
States suggested king and council of chiefs
and legislative assembly composed OF rep
resentatives elected by the people Of the
islands. Mr.. Bayard consented to a new
election but insisted 1t should be native
election, free and unawed. Sir Lionel West
said he could assent to that proposition.
Won Alvensleben inquired whether they
should not take into consideration the prob
abilities Of the natives not arriving at the
election. Ii 1t should not take place within
certain time, the three powers should agree
upon king. Mr.. Bayard thereupon pro-
posed to continue Malieta in effice. West
and Won Alyensleben opposed this. The
latter inquired whether the newly
elected king should not be approved by
the powers, to which Mr.. Bayard replied
In the negative Won Alvenseben then
read formal statement Of the position of
his government In which he says that the
only course is to place one foreign officer at
the head Of administration and invest him
required for the maintenance of peace
and order, as well as for
the prosperous development of commerce
and Intercourse. The power having TO pro-
tect the largest interests in Samoa should be
given the right TO nominate that official.
That Germany was the power was ques-
toned by nobody
This proposition Mr.. Bayard declared op-
posed to the purposes of the conference and
upon Mr.. Bayard's recommendation the con-
ference adjourned that the other members
might receive further instructions.
SENATOR FRYE's OPINION.