The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-09
The Minutes Of the Washington Con-
ference on Samoan Affairs Sub
mitted 10 Congress.
HOW MATTERS STAND
Our Secretary OF State Always Firm In
His Demand for the Political
Independence OF the
Natives.

y. ..,--.---. -. ,,-...t- -. -
OF Germany ana Great brltaln nave con-
closure ia n telegram from pendleton "a
~. s.s..,..,, 20 -. s..es p..,,.. ~,
.ne secie'a's vi S'a'e' uA'ou ne'hn' reo' Il
In which the statements made 10 Secretary
Bayard by Count Arco Valley announcing
,,a carman yova,nman, h.a ,ahntad ~
'no uo' 'na. so'.'u.' , ""s .oo.A,u "'
omcers ior the declaration OF martial Jaw
against foreigners ana had anticipated the
statement ne, fendleton, had been In
sirncted 70 make make 70 tne ~ German govern,
menI on reoruaIy IL, SscIe,ary DayAIu
minister al washington, acknowledglng
the receipt OF TINS advice, ana saying IL was
IN tne note the count hhd read MIN that
morning.
The memorandum OF the instructions OF
rfince bismarck 10 tne 6erinan minister AZ
washington is as iollowS lhe present
situation In samoa regarding the Interests
OF the three treaty powers renders u neces'
saIy 70 renew tne attempt 10 pring the
future OF those Islands 70 an understanding.
Inc position OF the three treaty powers In
the clvlliLea world makes IL their duty 70
stoP pioody cohipht' accompanied Dy the
barbhr0us customs OF those not numerous
trioes, ior whose weliare, according 70 the
Judgment OF the civilized world, II Is the
uuty OF tne treaty powers 10 provide.
Prince bismarck In consequence considers
IL the duty OF the participating govern
ments TO put an end by agreement OF the
treaty powers TO the troubles which have
originated In Samoa, by the restitution OF
peace among the Samoans themselves and
so make an END OF future bloodshed and the
horrors OF civil war conducted with
barbarous cruelty. The best REM
edy seems 10 Dc the resuinp-
tion OF the consultation which took
place In lss' 81 washington. According 10
the equal rights OF the treaty powers II
seems proper the place for the negotiations
should change In regular turn. L am d.
rected to invite the government OF the
United States TO conference regarding
Samoa, TO take place at Berlin. and simi-
lar invitation has been sent 10 the British
government 1 am directed TO declare that
any supposition that Germany would not
feel satisfied with neutral position In the
Samoan Islands II untounded, hs we have
already declared. IN the last conference, II
was neither our intention TO put In ques-
tion the independence OF the Island group
nor the equal rights OF the treaty powers.
We simply desire 10 create a condition
which offers permanent surety for bring.
ing 70 end bloodshed and decapltation, and
which grants permanent safety 10 the
commercial interests OF the three treaty
powers In Samoa.
On FEB. the secretary OF the state sent
q communication 70 Count Arco Valley,
stating "the president shares In the desire
Expressed ny the chancellor 70 bring the
blessings OF peace and order To the remote
and feeble community Of seml-clyillzed
people inhablting the Islands OF Samoa,
and clearly recognized the duty OF the pow
erful nations OF Christendom To deal with
these people In spirit OF magnanimity
and benev0lence. On behalf OF the United
States government" continues the secre
tary, "tbe president lnstructs me To express
his acceptance OF the proposal OF the gov
ernment OF Germany 70 resume the consul
tati0n suspended July ~, lhbl, such consul
tation TO be renewed as u was undertaken,
for the purpose OF establishing an orderly,
stable government In the Samoan Islands on
the basis OF their recognized independence
and the equal rights OF the
three treaty powers. The sooner
this conference can be resumed
the better, aud In view OF the late deplora'
able scenes OF bl0odshed which have been
exhibited upon Samoan soil, entailing deep
Iy regretable loss TO Germany, II appears
essential that truce should be forthwith
proclaimed and further armed action should
be arrested. As the assurance Of Prince
Bismarck Is that the pacification OF the
Samoan group and the occupation OF neu
trail position are his only objects, IL is sug-
gested In furtherAnce OF the desired result
OF the conference. that Instructions Ia
suspend belligerent action and await the
action OF such conference should
at once be telegraphed 10 the respective Of.
ticers In Samoa by the three treaty making
powers To continue 10 prosecute wal
Of destruction and reprisal, even upon ad
mitted provocation, would surely not con.
sort with the objects OF any OF the three
powers. IL Ia hoped, therefore, that orders
OF the nature Indicated will be forwarded
10 Samoa without delay. The announce
ment of conference between the treaty
powers, II Is confidently expected, will Al
once cause cessation Of h0stilities among
the natives, and their speedy election Of a
king would certainly be long step TO-
wards harmony. Except as the conditions
may be changed by the election OF king
by the natives, 10 Is deemed essential
that affairs In Samoa should remain
In statu quo pending the conference.
II we may indulge In the hope, which the
adoption OF this suggestion promises, fol
the successful issue OF the conference, the
government OF the United States will nj
once take steps 10 be properly represented
at the conference In Berlin. The state
ments you read 10 me as emanatlng from
the German consul mt Samoa, In which hs
finds fault with the conduct Of Cant. Leary
OF the Adams, and Mr.. Blackjack, United
States consul, as yiolative Of the ingtruc
tl0ns OF this government 10 maintain an i'm
partial attitude In the conflicts In Samoa
do not appear 10 be- substantiated by th,
averment OF any personal knowledge OF III,
facts. but must be based on Information
and belief only, or are repeated at second
hand, and must be passed by merely a,
hearsay evidence. These conflicting state
ments OF the German consul will bs
brought % the attention OF Capt. Leary
and Mr.. Blackjack, and their reply will b.
communicated Ia March. Allowances mus
be made for the excitement prevailing ir
Samoa, which Is not favorable 10 accurac,
or moderation OF statement, especially o
those concerned as actorsn
The protocol Of the first conference show
the German representative set forth tina
Malietoa, having not0riously violated hi
treaty rights with Germany, and haviDI
but a small minority OF followers amOnl
the natives, and Tamasese having grea