New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-02
BISMARCK YIELDS A POINT.
ORDERS PRoCIAMING GENERAL MARTIAL
LAW IN ApIA WITHDRAWN.
ronnresEas EXEMPTED FROM IT'S PRovI
sIoNs-wAR ON MArAAFA TO BE ooNf
r1YuEp-sAMoAN CORRESPONDENCE
SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS-.
fay r,I.eRApH TO THE TRIBUsEl


r1NuED-sAMoAN CORRESPONDENCE
SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS-
rnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBusEl
wash,noton Feb. 1.-The desire OF the German
fsovernrent m treat the United States with all
An. oorr,esv consistent with the preservation of
what Germany considers us interests In the
somoan Islands was manifested to-day by the
nubljcation of the dispatch received by Count
Arco Valley from Prince Bismarck, in which dis
match it is made clear that the German Govern
ment disavows altogether the recent action Of
Dr. Knappe, the German Consul at Apia, in pro
claiming a general martial law and sdbjecting
American citizens TO its provisions This dis
patch was received late last night by Count Arco
and In it he was directed TO communicate its
contents at once to Mr.. Bayard. This Count Arco
did early this morning. Mr.. Bayard thereupon,
with surprising prompness, communicated the in
formation received from Count Arco 30 the Presi-
dent, and through the latter it transmitted to
Congress this afternoon. By some curious blunder
on the part of tho Press Association the impression
got abroad that the German Consul at Apia
had been instructed 70 withdraw the German
troops from the island. This, upon investigation
proved to be unfounded
War upon Mataafa, it appears. is still to be
continued, and no troops, of course, are to be
withdrawn. It is not in any way concession
to the United States though Prince Bismarck
takes care TO point out that under an ordinary
construction of international law, American citi-
gems might be held amenable to the provisions of
. state of siege considering the present condi-
tion of affairs in Samoa This view Of the mat
ter, it is obvious, may be considered disputed
point: STILL it is believed to show an indication
on the part of the German Government to treat
american citizens with little more courtesy
than heretofore. and to this result it is not un-
reasonable to believe that the debate in the Sem
ats for the last two or three days has IN large
measure contributed 1t goes without saying
that the principal points in that debate were
promptly made known by cable to the Foreign
Office in Berlin. and that they had the desired
effect.
There is no disposition shown, however. on the
part Of those most interested in the whole con-
troversy to abate their demands for the preser-
walton of Samoan autonomy, or to concede that
the conference proposed by Prince Bismarck will
lead to any practical results satisfactory to the
United States. On the other hand. it is but
natural to suspect the German Government of
desire to give it's troops opportunity to avenge
what 1t calls the murder" of its soldiers by the
Samoans That rev enge once taken. it is be
heyed that some settlement might be arrived at.
This it is understood, is practically the view held
at the Legation here. The Legation still In
sists that there is no intention whatever ON the
part Of Germany TO annex the islands.
The President to-day has transmitted
to Congress additional correspondence
relative to Samoa showing that in conformity
with Secretary Bayard's representations the Ger
man Government has exempted foreigners from the
operation Of martial law in Samoa. and has di-
lrected the German Consul 70 fcfnou1sh ms com
msnd Of the administration of the Islands. The
correspondence is as follows:
TEXT OF THE CORRESPONDENCE
Mr.. Bayard in transmitting the correspondence
TO the President says:
As the question of German action and Ameri-
can rights in Samoa is under consideration by the
Congress, beg leave TO transmit herewith with
a view to their being laid before Congress, copies
of core spondence touching affairs in Samoa which
has taken place since January 30 the date Of
your last message TO Congress on the subject.
This consists Of a telegram to this Department
from Mr.. Blackjack, Vice-Consul Of the United
States at Apia, January 81. ~ paraphrase of my
telegraphic instruction Of the same date TO our
Minister at Berlin. of which copy was also sent
20 the Charge dAffaircs at London; and my
note of the same date TO Count Arco Valley To
day was waited upon by the German Minister
at this capital. who read me a note from his
Government which / transcribed from his dicta-
tion and now enclose copy Of its text"
The enclosed telegram from Mr.. Blackjack
reads:
Auckland. Jan. 31.-German Consul declares
Germany at war with Samoa under martial law
The paraphrase of the note to Minister Pende-
ton is ss follows:
Al.
aMr Bayard instructs the Minister Of the
United States at Berlin to inform the German
Government that adviees from Apia state that the
German Consul had declared Germany 10 be at
war with Mataafs and Samoa to be under martial
law Mr.. Bayard informs Minister Pendleton that
the German Minister at this Capital under in
structions from Prince Bismarck, had already ac-
ouainted this Government of the declaration OF
war by Germany against Mataafa, and had ac-
COMMANDED the notification with the statement
that Germany would, Of course, abide by the
agreements with America and England to1chng
Samoa and preserve under an circumstances the
rights Of this Government established by treaty
But. in view Of the advices from Apia' ME Day
ard instructs Mr. Pendleton 10 say that TINS uoV-
erpment assumed that the German oihcias ID
Samoa would be instructed carefully TO refrain
nom interference with American citizens ana
property there, since no declaration Oh nar'iai
law could extend German jurisdiction so as
20 include control of Americans in Samoa. Such
a pretension could not be recognized or conceded
by this Government
sTbe remainder Of the correspondence" as
transmitted by the President, reads as follows
Department Of State, January 81
~Mr. Bayard to Count Areo valley-Informs MN
AZ the receipt of q telegram from Mr. BlaclSlock
AID says: Not knowing what construction might
be- given to his authority by the German Consul
az Samoa in said proclamation of martial law
deemed IT expedient at once TO communicate TO
our Minister at Berlin, informing him OF this
precise language Of the telegram from Mr. Black
lock. and stating that the declaration OF state
of war by the German Empire against ma'aaia
and his party in Samoa had been previously
communicated through you, and that Prince Dis