The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-01-26
r----=-=-------77--
The War in Samoa.
Baltimore Sun.

Baltimore Sun.
The correspondence sent to Con
gress in reference to Samoan affairs,
together with the instructions given
by Secretary Whitney to the COM
mander of the Trenton, indicates
pretty clearly the present situation
at Apia. Several versions of the re-
cent engagements between the Sa-
means and Germans are given. The
commander of the Nipsic reported
that the Germans landed a force on
the island and an engagement fol-
lowed, in which the Germans were
defeated. In retaliation the Ger
mans had bombarded towns, disre-
garding protests and neutral rights,
SO that rights and property of Amer
: leans were in danger. Reinforce
ment of the United States naval
force is asked for. Under date of
January 5 Vice-Consul Blackjack
telegraphed that the German war
ships, having undertaken to disarm
Mataafa, landed force by night to
prevent his retreat, but, having been
fred on and beaten by Mataafa, were
forced to retreat The Germans,
enraged at their disaster, were she'll
ing and burning indiscriminately
and putting indignities upon Ameri-
can citizens. The German version,
as given by Count Arco, the German
minister at Washington, gives events
a different color. According to this
account, the Samoans are wholly to
blame for bringing about the state
Of war which now exists between
Germany and portion of the Sa-
moan people. The Germans, it is
stated. landed force to protect GER
tain German plantations which were
said to be in danger. Upon landing
they were attacked by the Samoans,
under command of Klein, alleged to
he an American citizen, and fifty
Germans were killed and wounded.
Complaint is made of Klein's con-
duet, and the United States is asked
to join Germany sin an active way
to restore calm and quiet. Secretary
Bayard replied in behalf of this gov
ernment that Klein was not, so far
as he knew, an American citizen, and
was certainly not connected with the
public service nor acting under the
color of its authority. Our officials
in Samoa had been instructed to be
neutral in Samoan affairs, and to
confne their action to maintaining
peace and order and securing protec-
ton to American interests. 1t is
added that the protested intention
of Germany to respect the treaty
rights Of the United States in Samoa
was understood to include necessari-
~ Prospect for the existence of Sa-
moan autonomy and independence"
which is the basis of the three treat
les made by Malletoa with the Uni
ted States, Germany and Great Brit
ain. The conference at Washington
in 1887 was understood to have re-
suited in an agreement by Germany
to accord to the Samoans "a free
election of successor to Malietoa
according to their own will and
customs That was not accorded
when Tamasese was elected, but it
is suggested that if it we're now done
an end might thus be put to the dis
content ami turbulence of which the
inlernccine war of the Samoans and
the attack on the Germans were the
results. Secretary Whitneys in
structions to Rear-Admiral Kimber-
~ enjoin upon the latter to protect
and defend American citizens and
property; to protest against the sub
jugation and displacement Of the
native government OF Samoa by Ger
many; to endeayor to prevent ex-
treme measures against the Samoans,
and to try to effect peaceful settle
ment-. Evidently Germany, in the
Samoan question, has a very annoy
ing, II not a very formidable difficult
ty, on her hands, ana all the result
Of her arrogant way Of doing things.