Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-02-02
SAMOAN MATTERS.
The German Officers Proclaim
Martial Law.
THEIR RIGHT TO DO SO DENIED.
Important State Documents ON the
Subject Submitted to Congress.
Thomas Talks Fight.
| Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
WASHINGTON, February 1.-The news |
Of the recent action of the German forces
at Samoa has given rise to commotion
among the members of the House, and
much indignation is felt at the announce
ment that the Germans intend to search
vessels arriving at Samoa Representa-
tive Thomas of Illinois, a particularly
active and influential member OF the
on Naval Affairs, has pre-
pared the following resolution, which
will be presented to the House at the
first opportunity: i
WHEREAS, From reports transmitted
to Congress by the President OF the
United States and from current news
paper accounts, the rights of American
citizens appear to have been grossly in
vaded and the commercial interests OF
the United States jeopardized by the
action of the German Government
through it's Naval forces in the Samoan
Islands; and,
WHEREAS, Late newspaper dispatches
show that steps have been taken
looking to the acquisition of the Sa-
moan Islands by the German govern
ment in violation of the rights and
integrity of the government, with which
government the United States holds
treaty and commercial relations, and
in violation of the treaty rights Of the
United States; therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States, in
Congres assembled, that the President
is hereby authorized and directed to take
such steps, forcibly, if deemed expe-
dent, as are necessary and proper to
protect and maintain the honor, dignity
and interests of the flag and government
wherever dispersed, against the acts OF
the Emperor of Germany or his forces.
WASHINGTON, February 1.-The Presi-
dent transmitted to Congress additional
correspondence relative to Samoa, show
ing, in conformity with Bayard's repre-
sentations, that the German Govern
ment has exempted foreigners from the
operation of martial law in Samoa, and
directed that the German Consul relin-
quish command of the administration Of
the islands.
WASHINGTON, February 1. - In the
Senate Salisbury offered a resolution
(agreed toy instructing the Committee on
Foreign Relations to inquire into the
condition of affairs in the Samoan Is
lands and report at an early day what
measures are necessary to protect the
interests of American citizens therein,
and discharge any obligations of the
United States to the people of those
islands in maintenance of their own local
government from interference of any
foreign power, and secure the just rights
and interests of the United States in the
future control and government OF those
islands.
WASHINGTON, February 1.-The Presi-
dent to-day sent the following message
to Congress:
February 1st.
GAS supplementary to my previous
message on the subject, l have now the
honor to transmit report from the Sec
ratary of State relating to affairs in
Samoa. GROVER CLEVELAND"
GAS the questions of German action
and American rights in Samoa are under
consideration by Congress, l beg leave to
transmit herewith, with view to their
being laid before Congress, copies of
correspondence touching affairs in
Samoa which has taken place since jan
uary 30th, the date of your last message
to Congress on the subject. This consists
of telegram to this Department
from Blackjack, Vice-consul of the United
States at Apia, dated January 31st, and
a paraphrase Of my telegraphic instruc-
ton of the same date to our Minister at
Berlin, of which copy was also sent to
the Charge d'Afaires at London and my
note OF the same date to Count Arco Val
ley. To-day I was waited upon by the
German Minister at this capital, who read
me a note from his Government, which I
transcribed from his dictation, and now
enclose copy of it's text. The enclosed
telegram from Blackjack reads:
AUCKLAND, January 3l.-The German
Consul declares Germany at war with
Samoa under martial law
A paraphrase of the note to Minister
Pendleton is as follows: 'Bayard instructs
the Minister of the United States at
Berlin to inform the German Govern
ment that advices from Apia state that
the German Consul has declared
Germany to be at war with Mataafa, and
Samoa to be under martial law. Bayard
informs Minister Pendleton that the
German Minister at this capital, under
instructions from Prince Bismarck, has
already acquainted this government of
the declaration of war by Germany
against Mataafa and accompanied the
notification with the statement that Ger
many would, of course, abide by her
agreements with America and England
touching Samoa, and preserve, under all
circumstances, the rights of this govern
ment established by treaty; but, in view
Of advices from Apia, Bayard instructs
Pendleton to say that this government
assumed the German officials in Samoa
would be instructed carefully to refrain
from interference with American citizens
and property there. Hence no declara-
ton of martial law could extend German
Jurisdiction 30 as to include control of
Americans in Samoa. Such pretension
could not be recognized or conceded by
the government.
The remainder Of the correspondence
as transmitted by the President, reads as
follows:
IMPAIRMENT OF STATE
January 81, 1889.
"Bayard to Count Arco Valley, informs
him of the receipt of telegram from
Blackjack, and says Not knowing what
construction might be given to his au.
thority as German consul at Samoa, in
said proclamation of martial law, l
deemed it expedient at once to commun-
icate to our Minister at Berlin, informing
him of the precise language of the tele-