Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-06-13
SAMOAN snrrLnmSNrs.
Germany INSISTS on "A Nominal hn-
demniIy and ~ Likely 20 Getht


Germany Insists on "A Nominal In.
deinnity and h Likely 20 Getits
New York Herald Special.
WASHINGTON, June 10.-I learn au-
thoritativsly that the question OF nomi-
nal indemnity to Germany, or no indein-
nifty at all, for the Samoan attack upon
the German landing party last December,
is the sole cause NJ the not unreasonable
delay at the state department In authoriz-
ing our commissioners at Berlin to atfix
their signatures to the treaties.
This question Ia still under careful
consideration by the secretary md by
the President, who ia giving his personal
attention to IL. They have no TiBh to
submit the administration TO either
partisan or popular criticism, or TO
burden their friends in the Senate with
the defence OF their action, when the
treaty shall 40 to that body for ratifica.
ton, by accepting even the naked princi-
pie OF an indemnity SO long as there Is
reasonable prospect that Germany, for
the sake Of lasting peace and good
neiRhborhood, may be induced to waive
what Is now but matter Of sentiment.
In point Of fact our government does
not admit that the case is one where the
German government should either ask or
expect indemnity, either in substance or
upon principle. The state Department
view Is that the German aggression upon
and active intervention in the political
affairs OF the Samoan people, all CON
Quoted by and under the official color of
the German consulate and naval squad
ron, constituted state Of quasi war be-
t,,aap narpaapy and Qatnoo and iuafifiai
the ohieitain Matasfa In considering the
conduct OF the German naval force at
Fagali as hostile demonstration or
movement and treating /. accordingly,
which is exactly what he did, and only
did.
The German contention is irreconcil-
able with this official American view.
Their commissioners at Berlin have
stoutly maintained the argument that.th
only war or state of hostilities in Samoa
was between two native factions, and that
official German action was strictly limited
to the protection Of German subjects and
property against bsIbaroua people and
practioes, and 10 o mild and cautionary
| punishment OF the conscious insults of o
petty and half civilized ruler Of faction.
They insisted that MataAfa was per-
fectly aware Of the non.belligerent and
merely precautionary character Of the
German naval visit TO Fagali, and that 1t
was in the general interest of civilization
and commercial security that a reasonable
yet substantial indemnity should be paid
by the Samoan government when recon
stituted for this wanton attack upon an
unsuspeoting detachment of the German
| marine.
The validity OF this position was not
for one moment nor to the smallest ex-
tent conceded by our commissioners, and
l am advised that il found not particle
Of English support. but in view OF the
concessions by Germany 10 the matter OF
the repatriation o, King Malietoa and the
embarrassment TO future German rela-
tions with Samoa, and the wound to Ger
man self-esteem if the emphatic and
published declarations OF Prince Bis.
msrck in respect Of e1aoting signal
reparation for this and other assaults
upon German dignity should now be
utterly abandoned, our commissioners,
subject to the approval Of their govern
ment, have consented to masked retreat
in the form of nominal indemnity.
To this the President and Secretary Of
State will agree II and when convinced
there can be no treaty without II, for aa
my informant says, MIR. Blaine has no
ideR Of giving up the substance for a
shadow, though he would nightly like
the shsdos " atiit9a.