The Helena independent., 1889-01-25
An Inspired Article From the North
German Gazette Upon the Rights
OF Foreigners in Samoa.
FEELING IN ENGLAND.
How the Latest Developments are Re.
garded in Official Circles at
washington-Ameriea Will
Not Be Eaten Up.

this city this evening. A representative Of
the Associated Press was accorded a briei
interview with Secretary Bayard this even.
ing. lie said he had read the dispatches
In question, but said II would not be proper
for him 10 discuss their subject matters at
this time. lie said although Germany
may have larger interests in Samoa than
the United States, II had no better or later
information from that country than the
United States. In regard 10 the statement
that Germany would violate no treaty In
acquiring ascendency In Samoa, Bayard
called attention TO the declaration concern.
ing the boundaries Of German and English
dominions in the west Pacific Ocean,
signed at Berlin April 8, 1885, by Count
Bismarck on the part OF Germany and Sir
Edward Mallet on the part Of Great
Britain. Bayard said he thought this
agreement precluded German acquisitions
In Samoa, and that she was bound 10 res
pect the rights OF that island.
Assistant Secretary Rlves read the dis
patches carefully this afternoon and re.
marked with smile, "They seem to be
hurting defiance in our teeth, don't they 2'
When asked II he had not further COM
ment tn make on the subject, he said he
had not. He subsequently intimated, how
ever, that there were important differences
in the statements made by the North Ger
man Gazette and the presidents message
TO congress of the 10Th instant In regard 10
the treaty rights of Germany, Great Britain
and the United States on the Samoan mat.
'rr. lie declined 10 point out the discrep-
ancies but repeated that the position OF the
government on the question as stated by
the Gazette differed from our position as
defined by the president. Rives would say
no more but Ii Is understood that he re
ferred particularly 10 that passage In the
message where the president says: "Acting
within the restraints which our c0nstitu-
ton and laws have placed upon the execu-
tive power, have insisted that the auto
n0my and Independence Of Sa-
moa should be scrupul0usly preserved,
according 10 the treaties made with Samoa
by the powers named-Germany Great
Britain and the United States-and their
agreements and understanding with each
other. have protested against every act
apparently tending la an opposite direction
and during the existence Of internal dis
turbanee one Oh more vessels of war have
been kept In Samoan waters 10 protect
American citizens and property"
Secretary Whitney declined 10 be inter.
viewed. The policy OF the government, he
said, was fixed and anything which might
be said In regard TO Il must come from the
state department The navy department
had no Jurisdiction over matters except OF
an executive character.
Senator Edmunds, when made acquaint-
ed with the tenor OF the utterances OF the
Berlin Gazette, said: al suppose II Bis
marck was TO express bis opinion on any
subject he feels at perfect liberty 10 do so;
but / also suppose that the expression OF
such opinion will not serve 10 deter the
American people from carrying out any
policy they may adopt as desirable OF nee
essary. The Samoan Islands are ON the
highway OF commerce across the
Pacific and are OF great Importance
with relation 10 the development
OF trade via the projected canals across the
lsthmus of Panama and across Nicaragua.
To the power whose ships are sent on long
cruises the establishment of coaling sta
tiOns is necessary and the location OF one
on the central island of the Samoan group,
as provided for In the proposed amendment
10 the diplomatic and consular approprla-
tons bill reported by the committee on
foreign relations, is looked upon as one OF
great Importance TO US"
Such members OF the house committee on
foreign affairs as could be seen tonight
were adverse TO discussing freely the pres.
snt state Of our relation with Samoa. in
view Of the fact that the subject Ii now
before the committee, and they are expect
ed 10 communicate their views formally 10
the house In the shape OF report. Repre-
sentative Russell, Massachusetts, when
told OF the position taken by the North
German Gazette, remarked that "lf matter.
should reach an extreme point, don't be-
lleve we are going 10 be eaten up by any
European power"
MIR. Hit, leading republican member
OF the committee. was inclined 10 take 1
uaaa.ftll Nis4xp al tha alftaflan NIf Ha
evident" said he, THAT while cautiously
written the article brealhed a hostile spirit
lncited, no doubt, by the exaggerated &C
counts which had reached Berlin Of The
feeling In America. The fact is, we ar,
suffering for a lack Of Information. III,
president, tc lse his term, 'relegated' the
entire subject TO congress but, unfortu
nately, failed 10 transmit copy OF tn,
agreement between the representatives Vi
the United States, England and Ger
manp. just what that agreemen
IL, or how II binds the United States no
body In congress knows; but IL must be
very bad agreement under which the pres
ent state oil affairs In samoa has resulted
SO long as the country knows that the wis
men of both political parties In the senate
have been fully advised and taken in th'
presidents confidence, the people rest II
ease. But they are not disposed 10 trus
tOO W lut ADllllt vi Out
larry the one who has been 50 lamentabl,
unlucky in the exercise OF his judgment.
Touching the possibility of serious troubl
resulting from the Samoan affair, he wa
disposed TO make light OF II.
Senator Morgan, Of AlabAms, said: Tn
administration has been active In ASSERTING
our rights Ia samoa aud congress hai
shown "A strong determination 20 supper
the administration In any action looking u
the preservation Of the Independence Of th
Islands and the protection of America.
interests there. / think the steps alread
taken will prove adequate, and | am pei
fectly satisfied that whatever rights W
have will be faithfully protected. w
have material Interests in these island
and shall tolerate no act on this part Of an
other power which will interfere with 0u
| free commerce with them"
Senator Frye was seen. 81 think" sal
he, ''that our treaty rights are such
samoa that we cannot permit the ind
pendence Of Samoa 70 be- take
away from her. II the Germa
government can put a governor VIII
Ii nothing but tool OF her own Into pOws
/ In Samoa, we can compel them at ono
20 give notice TO the United States OF N
termination OF all our treaties. think N
treaties on a whole taken together
guarantee the Independence Of Samoa"
"Do you regard the situation ~ threatei
ing"
n think the idea Of war Is as absurd as
possibly can be-"
Senator sherman, from the commit,
on foreign relations, yesterday rep0rts
the following amendm nts e. Il
diplomatic and consular NpprOpi
alton bill: For the execution
obligations and the protection OF the |
terests OF the United States existing und
the treaty between the United States Al
the Samoan Islands, S5O0.000, or so mu,
thereof as may be necessary to be expen
ed, under direction 0f the president. IN
I appropriation Ia 20 be Immediately ava
able. For the survey, Improvement nj
occupation OF the bay and harbOr Of l.
gopagO, Samoa, and for the constructii
OF necessary wharves and buildings I
such occupation and for a cOaling stati
therein under direction Of the presideE
500 600
Senator Sherman made no statement
the views of the committee upon the pi
posed amendments at the time they we
offered, but IL is learned that the comm
I A. - 49,