The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-02-08
Bayard Talks Samoa.
The Quarrel Over There Not
Uncle Sans Affair.
WHY GERMANY WENT IT ALONE.

A similar Case to Our Hayti AHair-ThOse
Conferences and Their Abrupt Tcrmina-
ton by Bismarck-The Immortal Klein
Tells IA Woful TaIe-C0nsul Knappe's
Bumptious roccedings-Unfruitful Ne
gotiattons Between the ConsuIs.
BALTIMORE Jan. 29.--The Suns Washing
ton correspondent had an interview yester
day with Secretary Bayard on the Samoan
question. Mr. Bayard says the question for
Americans to consider is whether we shall
continue to maintain neutrality rs between
Mataafa and the Germans or assume the
role of belligerents towards Germany in be-
half Of one of the two claimants to the
throne. Thus far Germany has given us alb
solutely no cause for war. The flag which
was burned in Samoa was not hoisted i'm as
sertion of American rights There is no
analogy between the cases of Samoa and
Hayti. Hayti had distinctly violated
and had seized an American YES
sci. Tho United States i'm this instance
had the right to act alone, for il alone was
concerned in the proceedings complained of.
In the Samoan islands, on the other hand,
American interests are only indirectly
threatened The coaling station of Pago-
Page, secured to the United States by treaty,
AS not involved Pago-Pago is ON another
island and Germany does not seek TO inter-
fere with our authority there The Germans
are confronted with pretty much the same
situation in Samoa as that in which the
United States were involved with Hayti.
They claim that tho Samoans rs did the
Haytians, broke their treaty engagements
and that they had the right to punish them.
It is not true that American property
has been wantonly destroyed by the
Germans, or the American flag fired
upon. He said that the tattered
remnants of the flag said to have been fired
upon by the Germans was received at the
State department yesterday. 1t was
not the flag at the American con-
sulate, but was in little village which was
being shelled by the Germans The village
took fire and the flag was partially burned.
1t was not hoisted in assertion of any Ameri-
can rights and was not fired upon or insulted.
Besides the German government has ex-
pressly disclaimed ady intention of giving
this country cause of otfense.
With regard to the failure OF this govern
ment to protest vigorously against Germany's
treatment of the Samoan king, Mr.. Bayard
states that he has no authority for such a
course. Malietoa was not a citiZ III Of the
United States, and American right had in
no way been invaded Germany claimed that
he had violated his treaty obligations and
that he was an enemy whom she had the
right to seize. Mr. Bayard said he did what
fta fu Npit fry
TO do. He used the good offices of this
country again and again, but without result.
Mr.. Bayard states that from the very begin
ming of the Samoan troubles Germany has pro
fessed the utmost friendliness TO the United
States and regard for American interests on
theislands. Only yesterday he received a com
munication from the German minister ex-
pressing sincere desire to reach settle
ment satisfactory to this country. The whole
trouble, in Mr.. Bayard's opinion, is due to
the course of the German trading companies
which have large interests in the islands.
They have striven to commit their govern
ment to Endorsement of acts intended to pro-
mote their interests and practically TO secure
them control Of affairs.
The secretary then reverted TO the confer
ences held in this city, and said the last con-
ference was held on July %, 1887, on which
occasion there was q deadlock, the German
minister submitting one proposition and Mr..
Bayard another as to the manner i'm which
Samoa should DO governed. This conference
adjourned to meet in August following. Mr..
Bayard says he was, therefore, taken wholly
by surprise when the German minister called
at tie state department one morning in
August and left memorandum stating that
his government proposed to independently
protect its own interests and rights in Samoa
and obtain the satisfaction and PREPARATION
deemed to be due to its national honor; and in
case Malietoa was either not willing or not
powerful enough to give the necessary salts
faction for the past and sufficient guarantees
for the future, to declare war against him
and refuse to recognize his government.