The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-02-02
the SAMOAN TROUBLES.
History of Their Origin and Progrcss--
Secretary Bayard Makes Some Explains
tfona Repartliur the Matter.


tions Regarding the Matter.
WARRINGTON, jan 23 Secretary Bay
ards attention was called to the press
dispatch saying that "Germany has come
to definite understanding with the
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 those are matters 1
do not care to discuss in the newspapers"
When asked in regard to tho policy OF
this Government he referred the ques-
toner to the Presidents message to Con-
gress of January 15 and quoted from his.
letter to the German Minister dated Janu-
nry 12, recently published, as expressive
of his own views upon the subject. The
Secretary also alluded to the agreement
entered into between Great Britain
and Germany in April, 1886, defn-
ing the boundaries of English
and German domnions in the west
Pacific Ocean, in which it is specifically
declared that the Samoan islands are
neutral territory The United States, he
explained has no joint treaty with either
England or Germany in regard to the
neutrality of Samoa. Therefore if Ger
many has interfored with the neutrality
of that country she has not broken q
treaty with the United States, but has
broken one with Great Britain.
HISTORY OF THE TRoUBLEs.
Troubles have existed among the Samouns.
since 1900 In that year the German CONNER
clal and Plantation Society ut Apia, or, rather,
its predecessor, the firm of Godcfroy, OF Ham
burg stood on the side of Malieton, chief be-
longing TO one of the most distinguished fam
lilies of Samoa. Throughout the succeeding
twenty years the foreigners who settled in
Snmoa-Americans, Englishmen ana Germans
IL, II, inst In1f
etoa, to strengthen respect for their respective
nations, and thereby increase their COM
merce In 1878 the United States, which
had previously obtained concession of
n magnificent harbor in the Samoa Islands
and established q coaling station there, made
treaty with Samoa. The local government
in 1870 being in state of great confusion, Sir
Arthur Gordon, as Queen Vctoria's commis-
sioner in the Western Pacific, established King
Maetoa firmly on the throne and issued a
proclamation. This proclamation was followed
by treaty with Malietou, dated August ~,
1879 In the same year Germany also made u
treaty with Malietoa. The treaties entered
into between the United States, Great Britain,
Germany and Samoa were treaties of friend
ship and reciprocity, agreed to Tor the
purpose of promoting the trade which Ameri-
can, English and German merchants had gone
TO the remote Samoan Islands TO establish. 1t
was understood and agreed upon among the
treaty powers that the independence ana neu-
trality of these islands Should be forever pre-
served While America and England have re-
mained consistent to the treaty obligations and
have recognized Mulietoa as the legitimate
ruler, the policy of the Germans has been
wayering one. At one time they would recog-
nize Malietoa US King, at another they would
take sides with the opposing King. In 1881
King Malietoa was coerced into an agreement
with the German Government and sent pro-
test about it TO the German Emperor. Follow
ing the protest there was sent petition TO the
Engl sh Queen, signed by nearly all the Samoan
Chiefs praying fer annexation to Great Britain
on the ground, among others, that they were
afraid OF beng forcibly annexed hy the Ger
mans. In 1885 and again in 1886 further at
tempts were made by Germany TO seize the
sovereignty of the Samoan Islands, but each
time the attempt was successfully resisted by
the British and American representatives.
In the autumn of 1886 German named BraD,
dcis appeared IN Apia. The public was given
TO understand that he was in the service
of the German Commercial and Plantation
Society Among the employees OF this firm,
however, IL was known that he had been
selected to be the Minister Of Mulietoa's rival,
Tamasese. Brandeis ut once began to study
local conditions, and worked at times at the
German Consulate made himself familiar
with the business and social relations of Apia,
and then went to the home OF Tamasese,
in the immediate vicinity OF the great
cotton and cocoa plantation of the German
Commercial and Plantation Society. There n
house was built and furnished by this society
for Brandeis, and there he stayed, without it
being publ ely known, rs the adviser OF Tam
asese and perfecting himself in the Samoan
lang unge. Tamasese and his adherents were
then amply supplied with arms and NUM-
tions. AT the beginning OF 1887, within Il brief
period, hundreds OF muskets were sent through
the German Commercial and Plantation Soci-
ETY. and through Brandeis TO Tamnsese s party.
A little later German feet OF four or 1ve ships
was at anchor in the harbor Of Apia. -Four
days later the German Consul wrote TO Male
toa complaining that German settlers had been
attacked by the natives on March % OF that
year, ana that from tim 10 Time during the
previous four years the German Plantations
had been damaged 10 the amount OF thousands
OF dollars year. heavy demand for COM
pensa:ion was made for the damage TO the
plantations, without single item OF particu-
The moRstrous demand was made
that the sum claimed for compensa-
tion should be paid the next day
n demand which, in such country, IL was
practically impossible 10 meet The KING
wrote, promising an answer in three days. and
the reply given by the German commander
was the landing on the next day of seven hum
dred troops from his squadron and the issuing
OF proclamation in the name OF the Govern
ment OF Germany, declaring Tamasese KING
of Samoa AT the same time Malietoa was de-
haven, was lodged and boarded under police
supervision at Lehr, suburb OF Bremerhnven,
and then was taken to Australia on board ths
steamship Neckar by German naval on,cer.
The native opposition to Tamasese, or To-
the Brandcis-Tamasese Government, us 1t is
called, reached its climax on September .,
1885, on which date they crowned Mataafa, n
legitimate successor TO Maletoa, King OF
Samoa, with the title OF Mahetoa- Tooa
Mataafa. Notices OF the event were at once
sent to the American, English and German
Consuls, the French priest, and to Tamasese.
Mataafa is still at the head of the Govern
ment and is doing all in his power 10 keep it
out of the hands OF Tamasese and his German
allies. The position OF the United States TO-
day is contained In the following instructions
which Secretary Whitney telegraphed TO Ad-
mral Kimberly Mt Panama on January IL:
you viii proceed at once TO Somoa and ex-
tend full protection TO American interests, cit
iZens and property. You viii consult with the
and otherwise inform yourself as to the situa-
tion and all recent occurrences. You will pro-
test against the sublugation OF the native Sa-
moan Government by Germany as In violation
OF positive agreement and understanding be-
tween the treaty powers, but inform the rep
resentatives OF the British and German Gov
ernments OF your readiness to cooperate in
causing oil treaty rights TO be respected, and
in restoring peace and order on the basis OF u
recognition of Samoan rights TO independence;
endeiyor to prevent extreme measures against
the Snmonns."
cause of all the present trouble. Coprah the
dr.ed Kernel OF the cocoanut is the staple COM
modify of the Samoan Islands. us II is OF all
the islands OF the Western Pacific. In 1885
the exports of this article for German account
were estimated ut the value OF sa2a, 7i2 The
competition OF four american houses has
greatly irrltated the German traders, their
profits being thereby much decreased.
New Catholic Colonization Society.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, Jan. 23.-A Catholic
a aIz..t -