The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-02-02

among native chiefs ana the rivalry OF lot
| eigners for influence and commercial 'sGpre'
macy.
The origin of the trouble is explained as
I follows: In 1879, after proSracted disorders
! growing out of the claims Of rival chietlalus
| to the throne, Mahetoa was recognized az
/ King bv the consuls OF Germany, Great Britain
and the United States. This country had
| previously. in 1878, concluded treaty with
Samoa. guaranteeing to use its good offices
in behalf of the kingdom, but not agreeing 70
establish a protectorate over the islands.
/ later the United States Government was
nreeluded from this course by its 'Rsisteuce
upon the independent sovereignty of Aalieioa,
/ the nriueipal point of contention now raised
~ connection with the German support OF the
rebel King Tamasese. The United States
conld not consistently do what il objected &c
/ Great Britain or Germany doing. According.
4 ". when, in 1856, United States Consul
I Greenebaum raised the American dag and
I proclaimed a protectorate over Samoa his
action was promptly disavowed by Secretary
Bayard as being in violation Of this country $
understanding with Germany and Great Bn-
tain, by which none of the three countries vas
70 seek to obtain political control OF the
islands. In other words, he took the post
ton that American interests should not be
ieopardized by the assumption on the part Of
apy mower of the right TO interfere IN the polis-
zeal affairs of the island. Even had this
country not been restricted by its treaty with
Samoa. and its understanding with Great
Britain and Germany, Mr.. Bayard would have
had no Authority whatever 70 practically an
mex the Samoan kingdom, and to make the
United States responsible before the world
for so arbitrary a proceeding. Oar treaty
with Samoa demanded no such course. II
would have been clearly unauthorized. and 4
inst canse OF ofeuse 70 Great Britain and
Germany Jus, here it may be remarked
that until comparatively recent period the
United States has been officially represented
AZ Samoa by Germans. Canisius and Greene
baum, the predecessors OF Coasul Blackjack,
we're both Germans. so that we have the Gu
ricus anomaly Of Germans opposing Germans
in all the complications leading mp to The de.
position Of King Malietoa-
Mr.. Bayard has been criticised for not pro.
testing vigorously against Germanys treat
ment of the samoan King, bat be siaisss thai
he had no authority FOR such course, NAH.
etoa was not a citizen Of the Critcd States,
and American rights hsd in no way beeu
invaded. Germany claimed that he had Tio
lated his treaty obligations and that be was
an enemy whom she bad the right to seize.
Mr.. Bayard, however, did Whist the treaty
with samoa Obligated this country TO do.
He used the good Offices Of this county
again and again, ia Maiietoa's behalf, bai
without result.
Mr.. Bayari states that, FROM the very Be.
ginning Of the Samoan Troubles, Germany
has professed the utmost frieniliness to the
United States aud regard for AaeFican in
terests on The islands Only 70 day be n.
ceived communication from The German
minister expressing sinceTe desire 70 reach
q settiemeni satisfactory TO this coshiry. The
whole trouble. Ia Mr.. Bayard opinion, IS due
to the course Of the German trading com
panies which have large interests IN the
Islands. They have s,rlyen 10 commit their
government 10 Endorsement Of scts intended
to oromote their interests and practically q
secure them control OF affairs. Precisely the
same state Of affairs exists in Zanzibar.
The serious phase Of the case lies in the &c
cent battle between ihe I've factions, in which
some ffty German sailors. including several
officers, ab0u; oas-fourih Of the whole Ger.
man force ia Samoan waters, we're Killed and
wounded. The German government can
scarcely fail to demand aud enforce sa,isi2e.
ton from the chief Of the opposing force
Masasfa. The whole question for Americans
10 consider, according 10 Mr.. Bsyard, Is
whether We shall cnniinae 20 maiRiain neu
trality a. between Mataafa and the tgegwAns,
or assume the role Of beiligereuis towards
Germany in behalf Of one OF the two claim
ants to the throne. Certainly such policy
would be wholly unwHrTanled- so Tar, Mr..
Bsyard says. Germany has gwen the United
States absolutely no cause for war, II Is not
true that Amencan property has been van
tOnly destroyed b. the Germans or the Amer
lean flag ired npon. The tattered remnants
-. - -. h.s-s kaavf rod ur,ffft hv
the Germans, was received st The State De
partment to-day. II was Dot the Tag ~ The
American consulate, but happened TO be 10 .
little village which was being shelled by the
Germana The village took IRE and The flag
was partially burned. Il was not hoistcd in
assertion of any American rights and vas not
fred upon or insnlled, Besides, ihs German
government has expressly disclaiued any ia
tentiOn OF giving tins country cause Of oiiense.
Another story which has excited good many
patriots is, that United States marshal ia
Samoa was beaten by the 9erRiana- Invest
CATION, il is stated, shows that the incident
was the outgrowth Of personal quarrel orig
mating in the too free use OF liquor.
The enemies Of the administration have
sought to make strong point by contrasting
the vigorous course Of Secretary Bayard 10
wards the pany republic of Hayti with his
alleged timorousness in dealing with the big
empire Of Germany. When Secretary Bay
ards attention was called to this point be
said the situation in Hayti aud the situation
10 Samoa we're widely different Hayti had
distinctly violated its treaty obligations TO
this country, and had seized an American
vessel. The United States IN this instance
had the right to act alone. for u alone was
concerned in the proceedings complained 81
= Il. ~, ha nfhar hand
American interests are only indirectly threat
ened. The coaling station at Pag0 Pago,
secured 10 the United States by treaty, is not
involved. Page Pago is on another island,
aud Germany does not seek 10 interfere with
our authority there. The Germans are con
fronted with pretty much the same situation
in Samoa as that IN which the United States
we're involved with Hayti. They CLAIM that
the Samoans. rs did the Haytians, broke their
treaty engagements and that they have the
right to punish them.
Mr.. Bayard does not appear TO think that
Germany will b likely to do anything oalcI-
lated to offend his country seriously If she
can help it. Uermany, il may be added, has
enough on her hands already, and her states
men. for the sake of comparatively tritiing
interests in q few Pacific islands, would think
twice before proceeding in a course which
might nave the tHeGS VI tuAOhlhs tuAo NONH-
Try into the arms of France. In diplomatic
circles here the election of Bouianger II Is
thought. may not be without its effect upon
Germans foreign policy. 1t may act as
sedative even in far Samoa.
Mr.. Bayard brings out very clearly the
reasons which preclude the administration
from proceeding any further in the Samoan
matter without a distinct expression from
Congress. The resources of diplomacy have
been exhausted. Germany. while continuing
to profess the utmost friendliness for this
country has gone on, step by step, in her en-
on the Samoan Islands, and cur
protests have been disregarded. She has, 10
fact, violated distinct agreement reached by
Mr.. Bayard and the British and German min
listers at the famous conference in Washing
ton. about which SO much has been SAID.
That agreement was that Samoan autonomy
was TO be respected; that the people OF Samoa
were to be permitted to choose their own
ruler. Instead Of observing that compact
Germany has endeayored TO force King la
masese upon them. Now the question is,
hall the United States declare themselves
ready to fght7 # need be, in order to secure