The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-31
BISMARCK THE Willy.
Message From the President to Con-
gress Giving the Latest Phases
of the Samoan Question.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE.
The German Chancellor Asks for q
Meeting, but Declares His lnten-
tion OF Making War on
King Mataatl.

WASHINGTON, Jan. SO.-The president
to-day sent to the senate and house some
additional correspondence relative to Sa.
moan affairs, accompanied by the follow
ing message;
''ro Congress- had the honor on the 18th
inst TO communicate 20 your honorable
body certain correspondence and docu-
ments In relation to affairs in the Samoan
islands, and having since received further
dispatches from the vice consul at Apia
and the commander OF the United States
naval vessel Nipsic In those waters, lose
no time IN laying them before you. also
transmit the full text Of the Instructions
from Prince Won Bismarck 10 the German
minister at this capital, which were com
municated on the afternoon OF the 2sth inst
This appears 10 be an ampliicatlon OF the
prior telegraphic instructions on the same
subject, communicated through the same
channel, and which being set forth In the
note Of the secretary Of state 10 Count Won
Arco Valley, the German minister, of the
18th inst, was duly laid before
congress, with my last message
In relation 10 Samoan affairs.
II Is also proper TO inform you that on
Monday, the 25th inst, the occasion OF
communication Of the note OF the prince
chancellor, the secretary OF state was given
TO understand by the German minister that
the proposition from his government 10
that OF the United States for conference
on Samoan subjects, was on its way by
mail, having left Berlin on the 10th Inst,
SO that Its arrival here In due course OF
mail can be looked for.
In very short time, In reply 10 an in
quiry from the secretary OF state whether
al e. g..
newal OF the joint conference between the
United States, Germany ana Great Britain,
which was suspended In July, 1897, or for
the consideration OF Samoan affairs alb
n0vo, the German minister stated his In
ability 10 answer until the proposition
which left Berlin on the 10th inst should
have been received. shall therefore COM
municate 20 congress all the information
before me In relation 10 the Samoan status"
The correspondence accompanying this
message Of the president gives an official
account OF events In Samoa, practically the
same as they have been already outlined In
the press dispatches. Regarding the seiz-
ure OF q small boat, and destroying the
American flag, Capt. Mullan, OF the Nip
sic, says: Jan. he wrote 10 the captain
OF the German vessel and received a reply
10 the effect that there was no flag flying
on the boat; this Is not true, AZ the boat
Others In other parts OF the town plainly
flying the American flag. This 10 the
usual way the Germans adopt for straight
ening out the outrages they have commit
ted" In conclusion the captain says: 81
am OF opinion our government should have
nj this point more vessels, especially at this
time. ] have caused to be posted In the
town OF Apla notice that the lives of all
American citizens will find protection on
board this vessel under my command; that
nc the first intimati0n of an outbreak of
hOstilitles In Apia shall land my forces
for the protection OF their property"
The last letter Is from Prince Bismarck
10 Count Won Arco Valley, Of which the
following Is translation:
MINISTRY FoREIoN AFFAIRs. BERLIN,
Jan. l3, lss9.-l have already notified your
excelleDcy that according 10 telegraphic
communications from Apia, on the 18th of
December a detachment Of naval forces,
which had been landed at the reqnisition
OF the imperial consul for the protection OF
the German settlements which were EN-
dangered by the conflicts Of native parties
there, was attacked by armed Samoans be-
longing 70 the party OF Chief Mataafa.
This unprOvoked attack Ia said 10 have
taken place under the leadership OF an
American named Klein. On this occasion
more than fifty German soldiers and Off.
GERS were killed and wounded.
In consequence Of this we have been trans.
planted from the territory OF mediatorial
negotiations, by which the imperial consul
In Apla was trying 10 reconcile the con.
tending parties, and Tor which be had
sought the cooperation of his English and
American colleagues, Into state OF war
with the assailants, 20 our regret We shall
carry on the contest which has been forced
upon us by MAtaafa and his followers with
the utmost consideration for English and
American interests. Our military meas
ures have In view only the punishment OF
the murderers Of German soldiers and the
protection OF our conntrymen and their
property. As they on their part are at
war with Tamasese. our Interference
will necessarily assume the character OF
assistance 10 Tamasese. In our eDdeayOr
for Just punishment Of this murderous
crime, we hope for the cooperation OF the
treaty powers In Samoa In friendship with
us, and we ask the government Of the
United States 10 be good enough 10 furnish
the consul and commanders OF It's ships OF
war In Samoa with suitable Instructions.
Our armed f0rcas there are instructed 10
avoid and TO prevent oil injury 10 com
merce and property, aud 10 adopt meas.
ures OF repTisal and destruction only
| against the followers OF the party which
initiated the contest on our troops by their
| murderous attack. We shall, OF course, abide
by our agreements with America and Eng.
land with respect 10 Samoa, and pay due
| regard under all circumstances 10 the rights
| OF those powers as established by trehty.
! beg your excellency 10 bring this com.
munlcati0n 10 Mr.. Bayard's knowledge by
reading II 20 him and 10 leave copy OF Il
with, II he requests ID. BISMARCK.
AUCKLAND, Jan. 30.-Samoa advices say
the Germans have declared war against
Mataaia and probably all the Samoans