Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-01-25
THE TREATY DENIED.
RIsMARcK's ORGAN REFUTEs
OUR CLAIMS.
Prompt Action TO be Now Taken---Inter-
views with Secretary Bayard and
Several Prominent Con-
gressmcn.

uaZette kfrlnce DlhHarcK's organ uenleb
the existence of any treaty precluding
any European power from acquiring or
seeking to acquire escendarcy 10 Samoa.
The Gazette also denifs that England
and the United States are agreed that the
proceedings of the German agent In
Samoa are contrary to the st pulat ons of
the treaties concerning Samoa and are
opposed TO diplomatic etiquette and that
those powers have officially 10 lied the
German Governm' Mt accordingly. The
treaties between Samoa, Germany, Eng
land and the United States, the Gazette
further says, provide thst Samoa shall
concede TO each treaty power equal rights
with any other power, but no treaty re-
gard ng the neutrality or Independence of
Samoa exists between Germany and the
United ststes.
LONDON, Jan. 24-Tte article in the
North German Gazette relative to the
treaties regarding Samoa has caused
somewhat Of comnotion in official Cir
cles here. By some persons it is regarded
as a deliberate defiance to the Washing
ton Government.
OPINION IN WASH NGToN.
WAsHtNGToN, Jan. 24.-Fresh interest
was added to Samoan affairs by the pub
licatiun to-day Of an extract from Bis
marck's Berlin organ defending the Ger
man conduct and pretensions In Samoa.
The statement that no treaty exists pre-
Guiding any European power from ac-
qulrinR asecndsncy IN Samoa was gener-
ally pronounced as extraordinary and as
intended by Bismarck as an attempt to
gee how far he Can go In defiance of the
United States.
AS the statement Is 60 directly contra
dictory to the facts some doubt was ex-
pressed in official circles as to the accu-
racy Of the extract. The treaty between
Germany and England directly states in
so many words that neither power shall
seek 10 acquire ascendancy In the Samoan
Islands.
Hence Bismarck's organ misstates the
facts, and according to the men here this
has been dore oTingly and Is psrt Of
the bold scheme OF Bismarck's to seize
the islands.
WAR TALK.
It is certain, however, from the uniyer-
sal opinion expressed by members OF Con-
gress and by Republicans who are likely
TO be influential in the next Adminlstra-
tion that Bismarck can MT hold the
islands OF ever predominant In them with
out first whipping Uncle Sam.
$50 to war about themp exclaimed a
man Of rational reputation; "certainly l
would. Congress could authorize the
purchase of vessels of war in one day
aud 1t would not take us long to get
some first-class chips. think Bismarck
would soon be sick Of the Job. 1t is
time that this country abandoned the
puslllanimous policy followed by Bayard
which has led foreign nations to think
that Wn ha fra lad xuIsl L..
punity."
Secretary Bayard, as usual, Is rather
inclined to excuse the foreigners. He
went to the Senate dinner tonight, and
was apparently much more interested in
that than in the Samoan matter. In re-
ply TO inquiries he said:
Il do not know that these newspaper
extracts are correct, nor do know that
they are official. will have to wait for
information In the regular way before
commenting on such a matter. The
treaty includes respect for the existence
Of Samoan autonomy and independence.
There is no obscurity In the several
treaties."
CONSUL sEwALL PLEASED.
Cons ul sewall, who came from Samoa
specially to persuade Mr.. Bayard to do
something to protect the American citi-
zens there, Is also much pleased over the
interest t. at has been aroused In the mat
ter. He made daily visits to Mr.. Bayard
only to meet with studied coldness and
was on his way back when summoned by
the Senate committee to testify on the
subject. He had to answer questions,
and necessarily did not place Mr.. B yard
in q favorable light. The consequence is
that Mr.. Sewall's treatment at the State
Department Is OF the most frigid kind.
As he cares more for his courtiy than for
the petty office of consul, which is of no
consequence to him, be looks on Mr.. Bay
ards Treatment with ind ffesence.
OPINION OF SENATOR EDMUNps.
Senator Edmunds, when made ac-
quainted with the tenor OF the utterances
Of the Berlin Gazette, said: 81 suppose,
If Bismarck wants to express his opinion
upon any subject he feels at perfect
liberty TO do SO, but l also suppose that
tho expression of such opinion will not
serve to deter the American people from !
carrying out any policy they may adopt |
as desirable or necessary. The Samoan |
Islands are on the highway of commerce, |
across the Pacific Ocean, and are of great |
Importance with relation to the develop |
meut OF the trade via the projected canal |
across the Isthmus OF Panama aud acress |
To power whose ships ATE I
sent on long cruises the establishment OF !
coaling stations is a nect ssity, and the
location OF one on the central Island of |
The Samoan group, as provided for 10 the
amendment 10 the Diplomatic
and Consular Appropriation bill, reported
BY tho Committee on Foreign Relations,
s looked upon as one OF great importance
10 u.s."