Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-01-26
OPINIONS DIFFER.
Bismarck aud President Cleveland
Disagree About Samoa.
SHOULD INSIST ON JUSTICE.
George II. Bates Says We Ought Not to
Tolerate Interference from Germany.
No secret Agreement with Secretary
Bayard-A New Workers. Views.

WASHINGTON, Jan. % Assistant Secre-
tary Rives has called attention to the re-
markab,o differences in opinion between
Prince Bisma cks organ ana President
Cleveland regarding the. treaty rights Of
Germany, Great Britain and the United
States in the Samoan matter.
The North German Gazette says: mo
treaty regarding the neutrality OF indepen-
dence of Samoa exists between Germany and
the United States
In his last message to congress the presi-
dent says: "Acting within tue restraints
which our constitution and laws have placed
upon executive power, have insisted that
the autonomy and independence of Samea
should be scrupulously preserved according
TO the treaties made with Samoa by the
powers named Germany, Great Britain and
the United Statesl and their agreements and
understanding with each other / have pro-
tested against every act apparently tending
in an opposite direction, and during the ex-
istence of internal disturbance one or more
vessels of war have been kept in Samoan
waters to protect American citlzsns and
property
OGOIAc DdN0S. III 1000. WIS SSHO "
Samoa by Secretary Bayard as special COM
missioner to inform the state department on
all phases of the Samoan question.
He thinks we should insist upon the rights
of the Samoans to govern themselves, to
choose their king and to comport themselves
politically as they please.
Mr.. Bates says: This is the most critical
and important situation that has arisen in
the Pacific since the United States interposed
and arrested French and English aggression
in Hawaii. 1t must be firmly and resolutely
met We must tell Germany what we mean
and let her know distinctly that when we
say we will not tolerate her conduct we mean
every word of it.
at would not bring on war. Bismarck
would not fight us for the whole of Ocean
ica A man whose business is the preserva-
tion of the balance of power on the continent
Of Europe has his hands full. But suppose IL
did mean ware There are worse things than
war, and one Of them is injustice and an
other Is dishonor.
Il believe the president has all the power
that. the situation calls for. He sent feet
10 Hayti with Instructions to bring away the
Haytian Republic if they had t. bomhard
Pcrt au Prince 10 get her / confess myself
much at loss to see why il be was esap0w-
in authority now
NEW York. Jan 25. 5.-GerInans in this city
take peculiar view OF the Samoa affair
Their opinion is reflected By Paul Locser,
editor Of The Stuats Zeitung, who said today
"a great mistake male by the American
press is the exaggerated value placed upon
American trade IN Samoa. The entire ex-
port trade which is IN cocoanut meat. used
in the manufacture Of soaps, IS only 500, ,0O0
year, of which Germany handles $40 600
worth. There is not the slightest danger Of
any serious trouble between this country and
Germany The commercial relations are too
closely interviewer for that Ii we wanted
to retaliate upon Germany we could easily
do SO by the establishment Of discriminating
customs duties But there need be no fear OF
trouble.
The leading editorial in The Staats Zeitung
treats of the Samoan question. After say
ing that there can be no question that the
port of Pago Pago was ceded to the United
States eleven years ago, during Republican
administration Of seven years no steps were
taken to take possession of it, Referring to
the statement of the North German Gazette,
which has been cabled to this country, the
paper says:
sThe North German Gazette is perfectly
right on the assumption that there is no
treaty which guarantees the independence or
neutrality of the Samoa islands. For the
sake of accuracy, the city and district Of
Apia should have been excepted The whole
agreement eliminates in that all the three
contracting powers should have the same
rights to Samoa, and in these rights must be
included primarily the protection of the citi-
zens of the respective countries and their
property according to international law