The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-01-31
THE SAMOAN TROUBLES.
History Of Their Origin and Rfogrsss--
Secretary Bayard Makes Some Expinna-
eaon. Ra~ardiunr the Mntfor.

Secretary Daynrd Makes some AApMh~-
tions Regarding the Matter.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23-Secretary Bay
ards attention was called TO the press
dispatch saying that Germany has come
to dehni o understanding with the
United States with regard TO Samoa" and
in response he said:
'of course expect Germany 10 live up 10
her honorable engagements with the United
States. 1 have no right TO think otherwise.
But you must know that these are matters
do not care 10 discuss in the newspapers"
When asked in regard to the policy OF
this Government he referred the ques-
toner TO the Presidents message to Con,
gress Of January Is, and quoted from his
letter to the German Minister dated Janu-
ary II, recentiv~ ~nnblished, as expressive
OF his own view 4opan the subject The
Secretary also alluded to the agreement
entered into between Great Britain
and Germany in Ap1il, 1886. dein-
ing the boundaries OF English
and German dominions In the west
Pacific Ocean, in which It is specihcar
declared that the Samoan islands are
neutral territory The United States, he
explained, has no joint trcCtE with either
England or Germany in Asatd 10 the
neutrality of Samoa. Therefore, IL Ger
many has interfered with the neutrality
OF that country she has not broken
treaty with the United States. but has
broken one with Great Britain.
HISTORY or THE TROUBLES.
Troubles hnJ. J.'cxisted among the Samoans
since 1880 In tiiat year the German CommeuD
cial and Plantation Society at Apla OF, ratber,F
its predecessor, the firm OF Godcfroy, OF Ham
burg stood on the side OF Malietoa, chief be-
longing TO one OF the most dist nsuished ram
lies OF Samoa. Throughout the succeeding
txv,iu WIN settled IN
Samoa-Americals EngIishmen and Germans
sought, by taking des with or against Mali
etoa, TO strengthen respect for their respective
nations, and thereby increase their COM
mefce In 1873 the United States, which
had previously obtained concession of
a magnificent harbor IN the Samoa Islands
| aud established coaling station there, mado
| a trea v with Samoa The local government
in 1879 beiny In state OF great confusion, Sir
Arthur Gordon, as Queen Vicioria's eommis-
sioner in the Western Pacific. established n ing
Mallctoa firmly on the throne and issued
proclamation. Tn proclamation was followed :
| by treaty with Malietoa, dated August IT.
1879. In the Same year Germany also maoe "A
treaty with Nal etoa. The treaties entered
into between the Unite States, Great Britain.
Germany and Samoa wtre treaties OF friend
ship and reciprocity. agreed to for ths
purpose OF promoting the trade whicn Amer-
can, English and German merchants had gone
| 10 the remote Samoan Islands 10 establish. Is
was understood and agreed upoh among the
treaty powers that the Independence and neu-
uel,iy Of these Islands should be forever pre-
served While America and England have re-
mained cons stent TO the treaty obligations and
have reeogn zed Malietoa the legitimate
ruler. the pol cy OF the Germans has been .
wayering one. At one time they would recog-
nizc Malietoa as King, at another they would
take des with the opposing King In 1888
King Maiietoa was coerccd into an agreement
! with the German Government and sent pro-
lest about It 10 the German Emperor Follow
ing the protest there was sent petition TO the
| Enrl sh Queen, gned by nearly all the Samoan
chiefs, praying for annexation to Great Britain
| on the ground, among others, that they were
afraid OF be ng forcibly annexed by the Ger
| mans. In 1881 and again in 1885 further at
4 lsmpts were made by Germany 70 seize tho
/ sovereignty OF the Samoan Islands, but each
1 time the attempt was successfully resisted oy
| the Br tsh and American representatives.
In the autumn OF 1896 German named Bran
/ de appeared IN Apia. The public was gwen
| 10 understand thst he was in the service
! OF the German Commercial and Plantation
Society Among the employees OF this nrm,
| however, il was known that he had been
selected 10 be the Minister Of Maletoas rival,
Tamasese. Brandels at once began to study
local coaditions, and worked at 1 mes ~ the
Geimsn Consulate, made himself familiar
with the business and social relations OF Apa,
and then went TO the home OF Tamasese,
in the Immediate vicinity OF the great
cotton and cocoa plantation OF the German
Commercial and Plantation Society. There
house was built and furnished by this soc ely
for b: andeis, md there he stayed, without u
being publ ely known, as the adviser OF Tam
asese and perfecting himself in the Samoan
lang usee Tamasese and his adherents were
then amply supplied with arms and NUM-
tons At the beginning OF 1887, within a bref
period, hundreds OF muskets were sent through
the German Commercial and Plantation Soci-
ETY. and through Brandeis to Tamasese party.
| little later Germa feet OF four or nve snips
was at anchor in the harDor OF Apia- -Four
days later the German Consul wrote 10 Malie
toa complaining that German settlers mac oeen
attacked by the natives on March ~ OF tnhe
year, and that from time 10 time during tne
previous four years the German plantations
had been damaged TO the amount OF thousahas
pensation was made for the damage 10 the
plantations, without single item Of part Gu
lars beng gwen 70 The samoan nv
that the sum claimed for compensa-
ton should be pad the next day
demand wh'ch, in such country, It was
practically impossible to meet. Tue King
wrote, promising answer In threc days. ana
the reply given by the German. commander
was the landing on the next day OF seven nun
dred troops from his squadron. and the issu ny
OF a reclamation IN tho name OF the Severn
ment OF Germany, declaring Tamasese X ng
OF samoa, AZ the Same time , MAJ e.oa was e er-
haven, was lodged and boarded under police
supervision at Lehr, n suburb OF Bremerhaven,
and then was taken to Australia on bJlrd the
mship Necxa-, by German naval oflicer.
The native opposit on to Tamasese, or 70
the Brandcis- -Tamasese Government, ns u y
1883 on which date they crowned Mataafa, o
legit mate successor to Malietoa- kihg OF
Samoa with the title OF MNie,oa- Tooa
Matanfa. Notices OF the event we're at once
sent to the American, English and German
Cnnsuis, the French prizes. and to Tamasese.
Mataafa Is still ut the head OF the Govern
ment and is doing all in his power TO keep u
out OF the hnuds OF Tamasese and his German
allies. The position OF the United States 10
day is contained in the following Instructions
which Secretary Whitney telegraphed 10 Au-
mral kir bery at Panama on january III;
.,NI u will proceed at once 10 Sonoa Ind ex
tent full protection to American interests, CIV
izens and property. You II consult W tn the
American vice-Consul, examine his arch YES
and otherwise inform yourself as 70 the situa
tion and all recent occurrences. You Will pro
test against the subjugatiUn OF the native Sa
moan government by Germany as In olatton
of pos tive agreement and understanding be
tween the treaty powe $ but iaio m the rep
erniuents OF your readiness TO cooperate "
causing all treaty rights 10 be Respected, AZ
in resto ies peace and order on lne pasis ~
endeav TO prevent extreme measures gains
the Samoans."
cause OF all the present trouble. Coprsh, The
dr. cd kernel of the cocoauut Is ilis staple com
med " Of the Samoan Is ands. us IS OF al
the islands OF the Westcra Pac hc. In lSS
the exports OF this or icle for Gernia1 aSconl
were estimated ut the value ~ .sss..is- Th'
conrc / ON OF fAur American houses ha'
greatly. ire tated the German traders. thei
profits icing the ehy much decreased.
u -
His Accounts Won't Haiante.
} MoEiLg, Ala. Jan. % George A
/ Pearce, secretary cf the Planters Mer
chants Insurance Company, loft here FRI
j dar ni..ht osten ih.r fn.. Rirmingh, IN. ans