Wichita eagle., 1889-01-25
THE TROUBLE WITH GERMANY.
Washington Officials Very Non-COmmittal
as to Recent Rumors,

WASHINGTON, Jan. A-The dispatches
from Berlin and London in regard to the
attitude of Germany on the Samoan
question were subjects of general discus
sion in this city this evening. An effort
was made to obtain the views of Secretary
Bayard on the subject this afternoon, but
without success. A representative of the
Associated Press was, however, accorded
brief interview with him this evening
just as he was leaving his residence to at
tend the state dinner at the white house
He said he had read the dispatches in
question but said it would not be proper
for him to discuss their subject matters at
this time. Heidi not know who wrote the
article in the North German Gazette nor
authority he had for his statements.
Consequently he could not assume them
to be official and they might, after all
prove to be mere newspaper gossip. He
said further that although Germany may
have larger interests in Samoa than the
United States, it had no better or later in
formation from that country than the
United States In regard to the statement
that Germany would violate no treaty in
acquiring an ascendency in Samoa, Mr..
Bayard called attention to the declaration
concerning the boundaries of the German
and English domiulons in the west Pacific
ocean signed at Berlin, April 6, 1856, by
Count Bismarck on the part of Germany
and Sir Edward Mallet on the
part of Great Britain. Mr.. Bayard
said be thought this agree
ment precluGed German acquisitions
in Samoa and that she was bound to re-
spect the rights of that island.
This declaration after defining the
boundaries of the respective possessions of
the two countries in the West Pacific
ocean provides that neither of them will
make any acquisitions of other territory
nor establish any protectorates over any
other territory IN the West Pacific ocean.
The last section of the declaration express
" provides that the Navigators and
Samoan islands, with which Germany,
Great Britain and the United States have
concluded the treaties and the friendly
CLong) islands and the Nina Savage is
lands shall in future as heretofore form
neutral territory.
Assistant Secretary Rives read
the dispatches carefully this afternoon
and remarked with a smile
''They seem TO be hurting defiance in our
teeth don't they When asked if he had
not some further comments to make on
the subject he said he had not. He sub
seQuently intimated, however. that there
were important differences in the state
ments by the North German Gazette and
the presidents message TO congress of the
10th inst. III regard to the treaty rights of
Germany, Great Britain and the United
States IN Samoan matter. He declined 20
point out the discrepancies but repeated
that the position OK our government on
the question as stated by the Gazette some
what differed from our position as defined
by the president in his message. Mr..
Rives would say no more, but il is under
stood that he referred particularly to
that passage in the message where the
president says: Acting within the re
stsaints which our constitution and laws
hsve placed upon the executive power. |
have insisted the autonomy and independ-
ence of Samoa should be Scrupulously pre-
served according to the treaties made with
Samoa by the powers named Germany.
Great Britain and the United States
and their agreement and understanding
with each other, / have protested
against every act apparently tending
toward an an opposite direction"
Mr.. Hit was inclined to take peaceful
view of the situation. Even Bismarck
would not be likely TO push
the matter too far least
he should lose the moral support OF the
German people, who remember with graf
itude the kindly and effectual aid extend
ed TO them in time of trouble by the
United States, which had resulted in saw
ing the lives and property of thousands of
German citizens in foreign country. But
1t is possible" said Mr.. Hit in conclusion,
that If Prince Bismarck had an idea that
he was dealing with a weak and moribund
administration. be might readily fall back
upon his old and well known policy in or
der 10 crafty the passion of the German
people Tor colonial POSSESSIONS