Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-16

BERLIN, FeDruary l0.-ln tne fSelcnStag
to-day White Book in reference to the
Samoa matter was introduced. 1t comprises
"A documents, extending from December 8,
1886. to February 8, 1889. Among the
documents relating to recent events is the
report of the German Consul at Apia, dated
February "a, 1885, 1t describes the en-
deavors of AmericanS and Englishmen to
provoke conflicts. A dispatch dated Sep
tember, 1888, deals with the revolt of
Mataafa and the support given to him by
Captain Leary, q. S. N.
After an account Of the attack upon the
Germans on December Is comes telegram
from Count Herbert Bismarck, dated Janu-
ary 1, 1889, to the German Ministers at
Washington and London, directing them to
inform Secretary Bayard and Lord Sails
bury respecting the attack, and ordering the
Minister at Washington to complain to the
United States Government that the Ameri-
can Klein was prominent in the fighting.
The Ministers were further instructed to de-
clare that Germany adhered to her treaties
and would respect the rights founded
thereon, and they were to appeal to both
governments to cooperate actively with
Germany and re-establish tranquility.
SIMPLY RETALIATION.
On January Count Herbert Bismarck
telegraphed to the German Consul at Apia
that on account Of an agreement with the
United States and Great Britain the annex
alton Of Samoa by Germany was out of the
question. A dispatch sent to the German
embassies at London and Washington on
January 13 states that the object Of the
military measures against Mataafa and his
partisans was to punish the murderers of
German soldiers and to secure to German
subjects the possession of their property.
A document dated February 2, which was
sent by Count Herbert Bismarck to Ad-
miral Baron Won Der Goltz, Chief of the
German Admiralty, says:
Germany is not at war with Samoa, as the
term is understood by international law, but
she regards Tamasese as the rightful ruler and
Mataafa as a REBEL against whom and his fol-
lowers retaliation must be enforced Anyone
standing by them Is promoter Of the conflict
the consequences.
Count Herbert concludes by declaring
that nothing Is changed in the legal position
OF foreign subjects in Samoa.
The White Book ends with long report
from the German Consul at Apia. The re-
port is dated January 4, and has 13 appen-
dices dealing with, events from December
4, 1888.
A MODEST DEMAND.
These record that on December 10, Mat
taafa, in humble letter, sought to open
negotiations with the Consul, but would
not surrender himself, although pledges
were given that his life would be spared.
In a subsequent letter Mataafa promises to
surrender in the presence of the British and
American Consuls. The German Consul
declined to entertain the offer.
On November "a Prince Bismarck sent
telegram saying that If the vindication of
Tamasese was impossible, the utmost ad-
vances SHOULD be made to reconcile him
with Mataafa. On December DR.. Knappe
reported that the American commander at
Apia was stirring up the natives against the
Germans. On December II Mr.. Blackjack
complained that drunken sailors from the
German man-of-war Olga had committed
outrages in Apia, entering houses and
wounding men and women. DR.. Knappe
reported later that foreigners had spread
rumor that the Germans had been forbidden
to interfere. This rumor had the effect of en-
couraging the natives, who stoned German
sailors and destroyed German properties.
In January, 1889, Prince Bismarck notified
DR.. Knappe that reprisals were necessary,
but only such as were consonant with the
treaties with England and America. The
Chancellor said, Because Mataaia assaulted
Tamesese we shall interfere only by succor-
ing Tamasese. y
Prince Bismarck charged DR.. Knappe to .
entreat the other foreign Consuls to COM
bine in order to restore peace.