The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-31
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
A Message from the President, Inolosing
Bismarck's Letter to Count Arcovalley.

A Message from the President, nolosing
Bismarck's Letter to Count Arcovalley.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 3O.-The President to-
day sent to Congress additional correspond
ence relative to Samoan affairs, accom-
panied by the following message:
'To the Congress:
II had the honor, on the 18th inst, To
communicate to your honorable body cer-
tain correspondence and documents IN rela-
ton to affairs in the Samoan islands, and
having since received further dispatches
from the vice-consul at Apia and the com
nader of the United States naval vessel
Nipslc, in those waters, / lose no time In
herewith the full text of instructions from
Prince Won Bismarck to the German min
lister at this capital, which was
communicated on the afternoon of
the 2sth inst. This appears to be
an amplification of prior telegraphIc in
structions on the same subject, communi-
Gated through the same channel, and which,
being set forth in the note of the Secretary
of State to Count Won Arcovalley, the Ter
man minister, of the 18th inst. was duly
laid before Congress with my last message
in relation to Samoan affairs. 1t is also
proper to inform you that, on. Mon.
day, the 2Sth inst, the occasion OF
the communication of the note OF
the Prince Chancellor, the secretary
of State was given to understand
by the German minister that a proposition
from his government to that of the United
States for conference on the Samoan sub
ject, was on its way by mail, having left
Berlin on the 10Th inst; SO that It's ARRIVAL
here in due course of mail can be looked for
in very short time. In reply TO an inquiry
from the Secretary of State, whether the
proposition referred to was for a renewal OF
the JOINT conference between p;t tnS GIiie5 mb;eb
was suspended in July, 1887, or for the con-
sideration of Samoan affairs de novo, the
German minister stated his inability to an
swer until the proposition which left Berlin
ON the Goth inst should have been received.
/ shall, hereafter, communicate to the Con-
gress all information before me IN relation
''GRovER CLEVELAND"
The correspondence accompanying the
message gives an amplifed account OF re-
cent events in Samoa, an outline of which
has aheady been telegraphed and pub
lished. II opens with a record of current
events by Vice-consul Blackjack, including
an account of the fight between the natives
and the Germans. as heretofore printed. On
Dec. Is and 16, the consul says, about
$50 sailors came ashore from German man
of-war, and, becoming drunk, lnaltreated
the natives badly. The marshal OF his
Office, he also says, was beaten by these
-.
women and children in town, and 1T was
with difficulty that he prevented a squad OF
armed natives from being brought In and
attacking the Germans.
Dec 20 he says the German consul sent
Mataafa word TO come on board the Adler
and his life would be spared. BE, of course,
did not 60 as he knew he would never come
on shore again. The consul says he ar
ranged meeting of the three consuls at the
German consulate, but that nothing could
be done. as the German consul said he had
lost so many men he must ROW take the
matter i'll his own hands and revenge their
losses The days diary closes as follows:
s.Cantain Mullan sends more marines on
shore to this consulate and Calling gun,
and fifty men were detailed on board the
Nipsic to land at once in charge of the mrs
officer whenever the signal Is made at this
consulate.
Mr.. Blackjack that German man-of-war
would 90 TO Nataafagatele and wait ono
hour for the Mataafa natives 10 come on
board and give up their guns. Mr.. Black
lock protested, and notified hlm that there
was American property IN the town. The
| natives warned British and Americans tn
| put black band on their arms, as they in
| tended TO retaliate on the Germans If at
| tackled again.
On Dec. % meeting of three consuls and
| the three representative captains ~as
| held to arrange for the better security of
| inhabitants within the neutral boundary.
| but the German consul would agree to moth
| ing.
On Jan. /, Captain Mullan, having writ
| ten TO the captain of the German vessel
which seized the American boat the other
| day, received a reply 10 the. eject
| that there was no flag flying ON
/ the boat This is not true. as the
boat was seen from this office: also. by
Others in other parts of the town, plainly
| flying the American flag. This is the usual
| way the Germans adopt for straightening &
ont the outrages they commit. In conclu-
sion the Captain says: Il am of the opinion
| that our government should have at this
| have caused 10 be posted in the town OF
Apia a notice, to-wit: That the lives OF su