Butte semi-weekly miner., 1889-01-19
WAR In FAR-OFF SAMOA
WHAT THE AGGRESSIONS OF THE
GERMANS ARE CAUSING.

United States vessels Ordered to Procee'
to the Scene of Troubles in the Naviga
tor Islands-Considerable Correspond
ence on the subject-It is All Laid Be
fore Congress-The Presidents Messag'
on the subject-Bayard's Correspond
ence and Instructions.
WASHINGTON, January 16.-In the mess
age the President says the information thu
laid before Congress is OF much impor
tance, since il has relation to the preserva
ton OF American interests and the protec
ton OF American citizens and their prop
erty in that distant locality, and under ar
unsuitable and unsatisfactory government
In the midst OF the disturbances which
have arisen at Samoa such powers have
been exercised as seem to be within execu'
tive control under constitution and laws,
and which appear to accord with our ma
tional policy and condition to restore
equality and secure the safety OF our citi-
zens through negotiations and arguments
with Great Britain and Germany, which,
with our own government. constitute the
treaty powers 1
INTERESTED IN SAMOAN PEACE AND QUIET.
An attempt has been made to defiue
more clearly the part which those powers
shall assume in the government OF that
country, while, at the same time, its au-
tonomy has been insisted upon. These
negotiations were at one time interrupted
by such action on the part OF the German
government as appeared to be incon-
sistent with their further continuance.
Germany still asserts, as from the first she
has done, that she has no desire or inten-
tion to overturn the native Samoan gov
ernment, or to ignore our treaty rights. and
sne still invites our government to join her
IN restoring peace and quiet.
But thus far her propositions on the sub.
ject seem to lead to such q preponderance
of German power in Samoa as was never
contemplated by the United States, and is
inconsistent with every prior agreement or
underst anding; while her recent conduct as
between the native warning factions
RISE TO SUSPICION
that she is not content with a neutral po-
sition.
Acting under the restraints which our
constitution and laws have placed upon
the executive power, the government has
insisted that the autonomy and independ-
ence OF Samoa should be scrupulously
preserved, according to the treaty made
with Samoa with the powers named, and
the other agreements and understandings
with each other.
The recent collision between the forces
from the German man of war stationed in
Samoan waters, and the body OF natives,
rendered the situation so delicate and crit
ical that the war ship Trenton, under the
immediate command OF Admiral Kimberly,
was ordered to join the Nipsic, already at
Samoa, for the better protection of the
persons and property OF our citizens, and
and in furtherance OF the efforts to restore
order and safety.
The attention of congr, ss is especially
called to the instructions given to Admiral
Kimberly, dated the 18th inst. and the
letter of the Secretary OF State to the
German Minister, dated the 18th inst,
which will he found among the papers
herewith subbmitted. By means of the
papers and documents therefore submitted
and those accompanying these communi-
cations, the precise
SITUATION OF AFFAIRS IN SAMOA
is laid before Congress and such executive
action as has been taken is fully exhibited.
The views OF the Executive in respect to
the just policy to be pursued with re.
gard to this group OF islands
whcih lie in the direct line
of the growing and important commerce
between Australia and the United States,
have expression in the correspondence and
documents which have thus been fully COM
municate ted to Congress, and the subject in
it's present stage is subject to wider discus
sion conferred by the constitution upon
al, of npA
The eaccompanyin correspondence referred
to by the President was not sent to the
House out accompanied copy OF the let
ter transmitted to the Senate and has not
yet been laid before that body.
INSTRUCTION TO TIE AMERICAN FORCES.
WASHINGTON, January 16.-Among the
correspondence concerning affairs in Samoa
referred to in President Cleveland's message
transmitted to Congress, yesterday, and
presented to the Senate to day, are the fol-
lowing instructions to Admiral Kimberly
from Secretary Whitney in cablegram
dated January IL:
Commander Mulan OF Nipsic, telegraphs
by way of Auckland, N. H., that force
landed at Samoa from the German feet
which resulted in an engagement OF the
troops OF Mattafe and the German forces,
and the defeat OF the latter. He reports
that the Germans in retaliation, lombard
ed the towns, misrega riding protests, and
neutral lights are in danger, and he
strongly urges re endorsements.
The German government claims the Ger
man forces were first attacked and that
war now exists between Germany aud
that portion Of the natives OF Samoa en-.
gagged in the attack upon the Germans.
The German government invites this
government in common interest tojoin in
ESTABLISHING ORDER IN SAMOA,
give assurance OF careful respect for our
treaty ghts. The United States govern
ment is willing to cooperate in restoring
order in Samoa on basis Of full preserva-
vation OF American treaty rights aud
Samoa's autonomy as recognized and
agreed TO by Germany, Great Britain and
the United STATE &, and has so informed the
German government.
You will at once proceed t. Samoa and
extend full protection and defence to Ameri-
can citizens and property. You will consult
with the American vice-consul, examine his
archives, and otherwise inform yourself as
to the situation, and all recent occurrences
protest against the subiugation and dis
placement OF the native government OF
Samoa by Germany, as it ia in violation OF
apositive agreement aud understanding be-
tween the treaty powers. but inform the
representa- tives OF the German and British
governments OF your readiness to cooper
ate in causing all treaty rights to be re-
spected. and in restoring peace and order
on the basis OF a recognition Of
SAMOAN RIGHTS TO INDEPENDENCE.
Endeavor to pervert extreme measures
against the Samoans and bring about
peaceful settlement. II such arrangement
can be made upon that basis, you will re.
port the same for approval, and you will
inform the government, as soon as possi-
bic, after your arrival in Samoa, Of the
condition OF affairs and the prospect OF a
peaceful adjustment, and whether Germany
was acting impartially between the oppos-
ing forces when the late conflict occurred.
[Sigped] WHITNEY.
THE GERMAN SIDE OF THE CASE.
January 18th, the Secretary addressed q
communication to Count Arco, the German
Minister, in reply to statement giving the
German version of the Samoan difficulty.