Omaha daily bee., 1889-02-03

Mataafa formerly one OF Malictoa's bitter
est opponents seeks TO overthrow Tamasesc.
The battles that ensued were fatal to Euro
pean and American interests in the island,
1t is impossible fully to picture TO oneself
the present condition of affairs there.
Exhaustive reports will only reach here
about the middle of February. kilograms
were at hand, but they were in cipher and
had Qecn partially mutilated on the way, so
that no reliable opinion could be formed
from them. II was as matter of course,
the duty of the German government to inter
fere TO protect the interests of the Germans,
inasmuch as they were menaccd during the
fight that took place. In so doing, of course,
the interests of the European and American
settlers had to be considered. 1t is known
that the interests of German traders and
planters there greatly outwelghed those of
other nationalities. Germany has been at
tackled there by the rebels, but the object of
Germanys energetic action of repression can
and should only be for the sole and eX-
elusive purpose of restoring public order,
quiet, and peace. With this in
view, the count had also asked the
United States government, which had Sc
cured for itself the most excellent coaling
station of Pango Pango, to cooperate for its
part with the German and English govern
ments in restoring order. For the purpose
Count Herbert Bismarck had, during the
last few days, had conference with the
American charge d'affairs and the ambassa-
dor of Great Britain. He asked them both
to take such steps as would allow the thread
of negotiations last held at Washington in
1857 to be taken up in order that an under
standing fair to the mutual interests of all
three powers could be arrived at.
The group of islands were so insignificant as
to size, in comparison with the three powers
and its interests were comparatively so
lnconsderabe, that it is impossible to be-
lieve that on account of difference Of opin-
ian so much as sharp exchange of dis
patches could be possible. An exchange of
views of the respective plenipotentiaries
would afford the quickest and plcasantest
solution. Unfortunately, Germany has now
been placed in condition of war with
Mataafa. AS far as could be made out from
fragmentary reports now at hand, detach-
ment of German sailors who attempted
to land for the purpose of protecting German
plantations, had been treacherously attacked
from ambush by Mataafa and his hordes.
This act must of course be fully eXpiated by
the offending party. If any German Official
mas ouIsIeppeu HIS ihsIrucIlohs anu acucu
with out orders or authority of the German
goverrment-of which, however, there was
no evidencc-he would be promptly recalled
to an observance of his duty. The
negotiations up to this time had
convinced the count that on all
sides there is IA desire to see the question
promptly and happily solved. He himself,
the secretary of state, had received a number
of communications from distinguished Ameri-
can citizens, statesmen and leading men,
which left him with the conviction that in
the United States the intelligent classes
treated this question with the same calmness
and moderation with which it always has
been treated in Germany. 1t is not worth
getting excited over.