Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-07
SEC. BAYARDS REPORT
Relating to the Samoan Affairs has
Been Transmitted to Congress.
Message OF The President Accompany
ing the Same.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The president
today sent the following message to con-
gress:
AS supplementary to my previous
message on the subject, 1 have now the
honor TO transmit report from the sec
rotary OF state, relating to the affairs in
Samoa. (Signed) GROVER CLEvRLANp.n
Secretary Bayard to the president;
AS the question of Germany's action
and American rights in Samoa is under
consideration by congress, l beg leave
to transmit herewith, with a view of
their being laid before con
gress, copies of the CORES pondence
touching the affairs in Samoa
which has taken place since January 3Oth,
the date of your last message TO congress
on that subject. This consists of the
telegram to this department from Black
lock, vIce-consuI Of the United States, at
A pia, dated January 31st and paraphrased
my telegraphic instruction of the same
date 70 our minister at Berlin, of which
a copy was also sent TO charge d affairs
at London, and my note of the same date
to Count Won ArcO Valley. Today l was
waited upon by the German minister at
this capitol, who read me note
from his government which l
transcribed from his dictation and now
enclose copy of its text. The enclosed
telegram from Blackjack reads:
auckland, Jan. 81: The German con-
sui declares Germany at war with and Sa-
moa under the martial law"
A paraphrase of the note to Minister
Pendleton rs as follows:
Secretary Bayard instructs the minis
] far ~ Init Of
form the German government that ad-
vices from Apia state that the German
consul had declared Germany to be at
be under martial law. Sec
rotary Bayard informs Minister
Pendleton that the German minister at
this capitol, under instructions from
Prince Bismarck, had already acquainted
this government of the declaration of
war by Germany against Mataafa, and
had accom- panied the notifications with
the statement that Germany would, of
course, abide by the agreements with
America and England, touching Samoa,
and preserve under all circumstances the
rights this government established by
the treaty. But In view of the advices
from Apia, Secretary 8ayard instructs
PendletCn to say that this government
assumed that the German officials in
Samoa would be instructed care
fully TO refrain from interference
with the American citizens and their
property there; hence no declaration of
martial law could extend German jurls-
diction SO as TO include the control of
Americans in Samoa. Such pretenses
would not be recognized or conceded by
the government"
The remainder of the correspondence,
as transmitted by the presiien reads as
f0llows:
COMPARTMENT OF STATE,
January 81, 1889.
Secretary Bayard TO the Count Arco
Valley, informs him of the receipt of a
telegram from Blackjack, and says:
Not knowing what construction might
be given to lis authority by the German
consul at Samoa In the said proclamation
OF martial law, [ deemed it expe.
dent to at once communicate to
our minister at Berlin, informing him of
the precise language of the telegram
from Blackjack and stating the decIara-
ton of the state OF war by the German
EN- pire against Mataafa and his party IN
Samoa had been previously communi-
Gated through you, and that Prince Bis
marck, in his instructions to you, also
stated that the German government
would, of course, abide by the agreement
with America and England with respect
to Samoa, and to pay due regard in all
instructions to the rights of those powers
established by the treaty. Our minister
at Berlin was therefore instructe d to make
it known at the German foreign
office that the United States trusts the
German officials in Samoa would be in
structed scrU pulOusly to abstain from al
Interference with the Americans citizens
and their property in Samoa, and no in
crease or expansion of German jurisdic-
ton over American citizens or their
property would be caused by the German
declaration of martial law, nor would
such jurisdiction be recognized or con-
ceded by the United States"
Count Arco Valley to Secretary Bayard,
under instructions from the prince
chancellor, February 1st.: AS
state war was declared against
Mataafa, the commander of the German
squadron issued proclamation by which
foreigners established in Samoa were
subjected to the martial law. The inter
national law would 70 a certain extent,
not prevent such measure but as Prince
Bismark is of the opinion that our mill
tary authorities tsvo gone too far in this
instance, the military commander has
received telegraph orders to withdraw
part OF the proclamation concerning for
eigners. In negotiating with Mataafa
our consul at Samoa has asked that the
administration on the island Of Samoa
might be temporarily handed over to
him. which demand, not being in con-
6, Tza ard
ing the neutrality and independence of
Samoa, Knappe has been ordered by tel
egram to withdraw immediately his
-