Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-05
UNTHERBERT'S
BISMARCK'S son DISCUSSES THB SAMOAN
QUESTION.
An Adroit and Skillfal Presentation Of the Ger
man POsihon-Senaior Sherman Proposes a
Prompt Solution Of the Small Controversy
Congressional Views

WASHINGTON, February A New
York morning newspaper prints a long
interview with Count Herbert Bismarck
from Berlin. He discussed tie Samoan
question elaborately. He declares that
the government at the head of affairs on
that island seems to be tottering on ac-
count OF feudsl fights and that all Ger
many desires is to uphold the lawful and
orderly state of affairs heretofore existing.
He declares that the upholding of the
treaties between the Samoans and Ger
many, England and the United States is a
matter Of equal interest to all interested.
He said: 1T was as a matter of course
the duty Of the German Government TO
interfere to protect the interests of Ger
mars, inasmuch as they were menaced
during the fight that took place. In so
doing OF course the interests of European
and American settlers had to te consld.
cred. 1t was known that the interests of
German traders and planters there greatly
outweighed those OF other nationalities.
Germany had been attscked there by
rebels, but the object of Germany's ener-
getic action OF repression can and shoald
only be for the sole, exclusive purpose OF
restoring public order, quiet and psace."
With this in.view the Count had also
asked the Uunited States Government.
which had secured for itself the most ex-
cellent coaling station OF PaDgo- Pango, 70
cooperate for its part with the German
and English Governments in res oring or
der. For this purpose Count Herbert Bis
marck, during the last few days, had con-
ferences with the American Charge 'dAf-
faires and the Ambassador of Great Brit
ain. He asked them beth to take such
steps as would allow the thread CT the ne
gotiations last held at Washington In 1887
to be taken up, 10 order that an under.
standing, fair TO the mutual interest OF all
three powers, be arrived at.
Senator Sherman said:
81 agree with the Count that the sub
ject is not worth getting excited over. The
conference which it is proposed to hold
will undoubtedly settle the matter amica-
bly,. Germany ought not to insist upon an
indemnity OF $4,000. for doubt whether
there is that much money among the en-
tire native population. Neither ought ehe
to seek expiati0n tor her dead and wound.
ed who fell at the hands OF Mataafa's
warriors, for il was the Germans who sold
them firearms which they did not need.
Our laws do not permit us TO do this.
1--WE want to assert our rights and uain-
tain and uphold them, and uobOdy will
call them in question. Next, We want TO
do what we ought to do for those poor peo-
pie. Therefore am willing to vote any
sum of money 10 enable the President
either to conduct negotiations, to make
surveys of the harbors, or to get better in
formation in regard to the country there,
and place it at the discretion of Mr.. Cleye-
Ian or OF General Harrison, and have no
doubt, with the power thus given them to
send agents there or TO send chips, they
will bring about prompt solution OF the
small controversy"
Representative Morrow, of California,
who is member Of tie House Committee
on Foreign Affairs, characterized Count
Herbert's interview as an adroit and skill
ful presentation of the German side of the
question. ''He does not, however" Mr..
Morrow continued, explain the conduct Of
Germany in 1857, when she declared war
upon Maletoa while the conference between
the United States, Germany and Great
Britain was pending, for the adjustment OF
the troubles"
Senator Morgan said: Taking the sit
uation together, it is obvious that our
government is maintaining, for the psee-
ent at least, the correct attitude toward
those people. They are entitled to make
free choice of their ruler, without embar-
easement from either OF the governments
treating with them, and for this Mr. Bay
ard has been earnestly oontending. The
first thing to be done, evidently, is to rein
state civil government in Sum0a, and put
the affairs in the hands OF king and ma
tive council who shall be fairly acceptable
TO the people. After this has been done IN
good faith, the three governments can take
into consideration without injustice tho
question whether they can conduct q gov
ernment that will meet oil the necessities
OF the country and the people,
Senator Stewart, of Nevada, ssid: the
published interview with Count Herbert
Bismarck is pacific in tore and recognizes
the right Of the United States TO the pril-
eyes OF the harbor of Psngo-Psng0 for
naval and cosling station. Italso recog-
nizas the fact that the United States and
England and Germany are entitled TO On
equal voice in maintaining the autonomy
OF Samoa. These are important admis-
sions, and If Germany acts upon them IN
good faith peaceGble solution will nm
dOubtedly be reached. II is fortunate, in
view OF future negotiations, that Count
Bismarck does not pretend that the Ger
man dispatches which he has re-
csived are correct, OF that the
German Government will defend ihe
actions of its representatives in
Samoa. He appears willing to leave fu-
ture conference free TO act upon the facts
which shah be hereafter ascertained. He
does not, however, promise to restore Nal
ietea, the rightfol King Of Samoa, and also
restore in every respect the status quo
which existed previous to the former con
ference, and which was changed by Ger
many pending the negotiations between
the representatives OF the United States,
England and Germany. Whether tie
United States can hoDOTably enter into
new negotiations while the rightful king ia
a prisoner under the control of Germany,
and the German officials in Samoa are ex-
ercispg control of that country, Is matter
for serious consideration.