New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-23
BAYARD'S COURSE IN SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
THE SECRETARY GIVES EXTRACTS FROM OFF.
cIAL DOCUMENTS AS NEUTRAL
TERRITORY


Washington Jan. 2o.-The dispatches from London
and Berlin in regard to Samoan affairs published in
this mornings papers were shown Secretary Bayard
at the State Department this afternoon with the view
Of obtaining some expression OF opinion from him on
the subject His attention specially invited to
the statement that Germany has come to definite
understanding with tho United states with regard to
Samoa and in response he said OF course expect
Germany to live up to her honorable engagements
with the United States. have no right to think
otherwise But you must know that these arc mat
ters do not care TO discuss IN the newspapers
When asked IN regard to the policy Of this Gov
ernment he referred the quesloncr to the Presidents
message to Congress of the 18th inst. and invited
special attention to the following passages:
Germany, however, stl asserts from the 6rst she
has DONE that she has desire intention 10 oyeftun
the native Samoan Government Ignore our treaty
rights and she still invites Government 10 join her
In restoring pace and quiet But thus far her PROPOSE
tons this subject lead to such preponder
ance OF German power in Samoa az oon,em
plated by us and is inconsistent with every prior agree
mcnt or understanding while her recent conduct b.
tween native warning factions gives rise to the suspicion
that she Is not content with neutral position.
The views Of the Executive IN respect % the just
policy to be pursued with regard this group islands
which le In tho direct highway Of growing ana I'M
portant commerce between Australia and the United
States have found expression in the correspondence and
Congress, and the subject In its present stare is sub
,'eo 70 inc wider discretion conferred by the Const
tuition upon the legislative branch OF the Government
Inc secretary also quoted the following language
iro MS leter to the German Minister dated the 18th
inSr' as Indicative OF his views OF the subject:
In pursuance "a the joint understanding under nv prop
oston OF june l. 1886 for defined cooperative action
In Samoan affairs which formally accepted BY GERMANY
and Great Britain had the honor 10 transmit 20 you by
note OF The oh inst the reports that day
received from Newzeaand from the rst lieutenant Of tie
United States steamship Nipsc who had been sent by his
eommanoer nom Apa TO Auckland communicate la re.
ation to Samoan affairs By telegraph with this Govern
ment
The Instructions given officials Of this Government At
Samoa have never ieyiaed those made public ana
which were well known to Germany and Great Britain
and In ehect were scrupulousy % maintain neutrality I'm
Samoan affairs and thor action 10 good onees N
the maintenance Of peace and order IN those rezopA ana
In securing protection for American citizens and their
interests under treaty s:pulatons and the conlty of
civilized nations
Before had the honor OF having read 70 ne on tn
1Oh Inst, the memorandum Of instructions received By
you orders had been given by tho President looking 10
the relief from danger Of citizens tho United States
resident in Samoa and for the protection Of their property
and It was with entiro readiness that accepted tho IN
vation OF Government a. e0nyeyod through Your
Instructions that the United States should joln IN an
active way 10 restore calm and quiet in thosc isiandA
received also with expressed satisfaction your az
suraneo OF the mutations e your Government 70 main
fsn ana carefully respect the treaty rights OF this Gov
ernment under all crcumsanees and this a. stated
70 Sou necessarily included respect the existence Of
Samoan autonomy and Independence which IL tho basis
OF the three treaties made with the United States Ger.
many and Great Britain. the rst being earliest IN
date.
Tho secretary also alluded 10 the agreement entered
INTO between Great Britain and Germany, in April,
1856, defining the boundaries OF English and German
domnions In the West Pacific Ocean, In which II is
sPcclhcay declared that the Samoan Islands are nell
iral teritoy The United States he explained has no
JOINT treaty with either England or Germany in regard
~ the ne9tIsity OF Samoa Therefore, n Germany has
ntefered with the neutrality II that country she has
hot brohen treaty with tho United States, but has
brOken one with GTnAt Hrifaln. -