The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-31
what Secretary Baxard Saws.

w ASHINGTON. y III. "a Uo us
patches from Berlin and London in re-
gard to the attitude of Germany on the
Samoan question were the subject of
general discussion in this city this
evening. An effort was made to OBJ
tain the views of Secretary Bayard on
the subject this afternoon, but with no
success.
A representative of the Associated
Press was, however, accorded brief
interview with him this evening just
as he was leaving to attend the state
dinner at the white house. lie said
he had read the dispatches in question
but said it would not be proper for him
TO discuss their subject matter at this
time. He did not know who wrote the
article in the North German Gazette or
what authority he had for his state
ments, consequently he could not as
sumo them to be official and they might
after all prove to be mere newspaper
gossip. He said further that although
Germany may have larger interests in
Samoa than the United States it had no
better or later information from there
than the United States. In regard TO
the statement that Germany would vio-
late no treaty in acquiring ascention
in Samoa, Mr.. Bayard called attention to
the declaration concerning the bounda-
ries of Germany and English dominions
in the west Pacific ocean, signed at Ber-
lin, April g.. 1885, by Count Bismarck on
the part of Germany. and Sir Edward
Mallet on the part of Great Britain.
Mr.. Bayard said he thought this agree
ment percluded German acquisition
| in Samoa and she was bound to re-
spect the rights of the island. This
| declaration after defining the boundar-
les of the respective possessions OF the
| two countries in the west Pacific
ocean provides that neither of them
will make any acquisitions of other
| teraitory nor establish any protector
ates over any other territory i'll the
west Pacific ocean. The last section
of the declaration expressly provides
! that navigatOrs in the Samoan Islands
with which Germany, Great Britrin
and the United States have concluded
treaties and the friendly Tonga
Islands and the Nina (savage) Island
| shall in future, as heret ofore, form a
neutral territory.
Assistant Secretary Rives read the
dispatch carefully this afternoon
and remarked with a smile; They
! seem to be hurting defiance in our
teeth don't they" When asked if ne
had not some further comments to
make on the subject he said he had not
but he subsequently intimated. how
ever. that there were important differ
enceS in the statements made by the
| North German Gazette and the preSi-
dents message to congress of the 18th.
In regard to that treaty the rights OF
Germany, Great Britain and United
States in the Samoan matter, he declin-
ed to point out the Discrepancy
but repeated that the position
of our government on the question as
stated by the Gazette somewhat diff.
| fered from our position as defined by
the president in his message. Mr.
| Rives would say nothing more, but it il
understood that he referred particular
~ to the passage in the message where
the president SAYS: Acting within the
restraints which our constitution anC
laws have placed upon the executive
power, have insisted that the auto
mony and independence of Samoa bC
scrupulously preserved according tt
treaties made with Samoa by the power:
named: Germany, Great Britain anC
the United States and their agreement
and understanding with each other.
have protested against every act appar
emily tending toward an opposite direc
iln."
Mr.. Hit was inclined to take
peaceful view of the situation. Ever
Bismarck would not be likely to pusl
the matter too far. less the loss of The
Samoa support of the German
people who remember with graf
itude the wildly and effective ai(
extended to them in time of trouble BY
the United States, which had resulted
in saving the lines and property O
thousands of German citizens in 1
foreign country, but it was possible
| said Mr.. Hit in conclusion, that i
! Prince Bismarck had an idea that b,
was dealing with a weak and mOribunC
i administration, he might readily fal
, back upon his old and well know
T policy in order to crafty the passion o
j the German people for colonial posses
SIons.