Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-01-25

THE GERMAN PRESS
Creates a Sensation BY its Dif-
ierent Comments
On The Samoan Question.
Action, and Bismarcks Organ
Denies the Existence OF
any Treaty.
On The Samoan Question.

WAshIsGros, Jan. "a
A despatch has been received al the State
department from Pendleton, minister at
Berlin, in regard to the Samoan question
The contents are withheld trom publicity
except extracts from German newspapers
giving accounts Of and commenting upon the
hght in which so many Germans lost their
lives. The previous languid tone Of the
press in regard to samoan adairs was quick
ened to fever heat by the Dss Kleine Jour
nal of Berlin, Of the 18th inst. which says
According 70 official reports from Apis
Of the 2sth of December landing corps of
Olga was sent TO accompany the German
eounsul to the scene of the natives, in con-
sequence of the destruction Of German pro-
perty and bodily insults TO men of marine.
The consul was going there for the purpose
af instituting an armament. On the way to
Boilele plantation the landing corps of the
Olga was by surprise attacked by the insur-
rectionists under the leadership of American
Klein. An attack was thereupon made by
the landing corps of the Olga, cruiser Odler
and the aunboat Eber. The natives were
thrown back and several of their villages on
the coast destroyed.
Lieutenant Seigar and fifteen men are
dead. Lieutenants Spengler and Burchardt
and thirty-six men are wounded. 1t was
victory, but costly one, not One To be re-
joiced over. The Germans meddling in the
quarrels of kings Mstsafa. Mallitoa and
Iamasese have been hailed with rt rtjoicing
from several quarters for the reason that the
final result OF the business was expected to
be the occupation of Samoa by the German
empire. England and the United States do
not, however. agree TO such contamination,
and now we have even lost number of men
in battle with despised islanders. The
new leaf in the history of our colonial policy
is laurel leaf, but what sort of one"
The North German Gazette, Bismarck's
organ, denies the existence of any treaty
precluding any European power from ac-
qviring or seeking to acquire ascendency in
Samoa.
The Gazette also denies that England and
the United States are agreed that the pro-
ceedings OF the Germans in Samoa are col
trary to the stipulatons of the treaties con-
cerning Samoa and opposed TO diplomatic
etiquette. and that the answers have officially
notified the German government accordingly.
Other extracts are of the same general
tenor and indicate clearly the press opinion
that Germans intended to compel peace on
the island by dissrming natives.
Feeling Among Washington Officials.
The dispatches from Berlin and London
in regard TO the attitude of Germany on the
samoan que stion were subject to general
discussion this evening. Secretary Bayard
said he read the dispatches but did not know
v no wrote the article in the North German
Gazette nor what authority the writer had.
They might prove to be mere new spaper
1sl h.ar
larger interest in Samoa than the United
States it had no better nor later information
from that country than the United States.
In regard to the statement that Germany
would abolish no treaty in acquiring
ascendency in Samoa. Bsyard called atten-
ton to the declaration concerning the boun-
daries of the CT rman aud English dominions
in the west Pacific Ocean signed at Berlin
April 8. 1886 by Count Bismarck on the
part of Germany and by Edward Mallett on
the part of Great Britain.
Bsyard said he thought the agreement
precluded German acquisitions in Samoa, and
that she was bound to respect the rights of
the island The dec aration after defining
the boundaries respective to the possessions
of the two countries in the west Pacific
ocean, it provides that neither will make
zny acquisitions of other territory nor
establish any protectorates over any other
territory in the west Pacific The last sec
ton of the declaration expressly provides
that for navis stors Samoa islani with
which Germany. Great Britain and the
United States have concluded the treaties
and friendly with which the (Longa islands
and the mini (Savsg islands shall in the
future As heretofore, form q neutral territory,
c.r>tox rdroupd., Npiniop
Senator Edmunds when made acquainted
with the tenor of the utterances of the Berlin
Gazette, said II suppose if Bismarck wants
to express on opinion upon any subject he
feels at perfect liberty to do so, but also
suppose the expression of such opinion will
not deter American people from carrying
out any policy they may adopt as desirable
or necessary.
The Samoan Islands are on high way to
commerce across the Pacific They are of
gre at Importance with their relations to the
development of trade via the projected
canals across the Isthmus of Panama and
Nicaragua to A power whose ships are sent
on long cruise. The establishments of coal
ing stations is necessary and the location of
one on the central island of the Samoan
group is provided for in the proposed amend
ment to the dipiomauc ana consular appro-
priation bill reported by the committee on
foreign relations and is looked upon as one
of great Importance to US.
The London Standsr is Berlin correspond
ent says: The statement of Sewsll, Amer
ican consul general at Samoa caused sur
prise here. bit no objection would be raised
to a convection of that nature as it would
end once for all the long international con-
ficts about these islands.
The North German Gazette tonight says
that the English Cabinet disclaims any CO.
operation with the Washington government
regarding Samoa.