Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-09
RED TAPE
That has Bound the Relation Of Mid If.
Dayird
With the Aggressive Bismarck on Ga
moan QUESTION

Protocols" (of official ministers) o,
conferences on samoan Affairs held in thi,
city in 1857. together with additional CORE
spondence on the subject was laid befors
Congress this afternoon. The first enclo..
ure is a telegram from Minister Pendletor
to Secretary Bsyard, dated Berlin, Feb. /
in which he says that the statement made to
Bayard BY Count Areo Valley announcing
thst the German government had rebuked
officers for a declaration of martial law
against foreigners) had anticipated the state
ment that Pendieton was instructed to make
to the Germ IN govern nent The mem oran-
DUN of Instructions from Prince Bismarck
to the German minister at Washington vas
read by the latter 10 the secretary of state
Feb T. and says:
The present situation in Samoa renders il
necessary TO renew the attempt To bring the
future of those islands To an unde erstanding
l he position Of the three treaty powers in
the civilized world makes it their duty 10
stop the bloody combat accompanied by the
barbarous customs of those not numerous
tribes for whose welfare, according to the
judgment of the civilized world, it is the
duty of the treaty trainers to provide. Bis
marck proposes that you resume with Ger
many and the British government. am
also directed TO declare that any superstition
that Germany could not feel satisfied with
neutral position in the Samoan islands is IN
| founded
Feb. 5, the Secretary of State sent COM
muDication to Count A rco Valley stating that
| the President fully slia red in the desire ex-
pressed by the prince chancellor to bring the
blessings of peace and order to the remote
| and feeble community of semi civilized peo-
pie who are inhabitants of the lands of Sa-
moa-
He clearly recognized the duty of the
powerful nations of Christendom to deal
with these people ina spirit of mignanmity
and benevolence. The Secretary continues
The President instructs me to impress his
acceptance of the proposal of the govern
ment of Germany to resume consultation,
which was suspended on the 81 of July, 1857
for the purpose of establishing peace and an
orderly, stable government as the basis of
their recognized independence and equal
rights by the three treaty powers. The con-
tention of arms by such u scanty band as the
Samoans against the vast armament of Ger
many, has of course but one result. 1t is
assumed in advance that it would manifestly
be futile 1t is suggested that furtherance of
the desired result of the conference instruc-
tons, TO suspend belligerent action and await
the action of the conference, should be tele
Blhputu respective III SduOa Dy
the three treaty making powers, except the
conditions may be changed by fair election
by the natives. IL is deemed essential that
affairs in Samoa should remain in statu quo,
pending conference"
The protocol of the first conference was
attended to by Secretary Bayard, Won Al
vensleben and Sir Lionel West. 1t contains
the propositions of three diplomats AS TO the
form of government which should be pro-
vided for Samoa The German representa-
tive set forth that Mslietoa having notorious |
ly violated the treaty rights with Germany
and having small minority of followers
among the natives, the election of new
king must take place in order to secure
peace and order in the islands A foreign
representative is to be appointed advisor to
the king to act as mandatory to the three
treaty powers lie also suggested an abso-
lutte equality of the three powers on the is
Ian 10. BayarI suggested that constitutions
al government for Samoa with native leg
islsture recurring independence and autonomy
including the acknow ledvmsrt ~s ~ -, '-S
i...., ..l,u aniasese as wee KING. lhe En-
glish government suggested As All agreement
of the treaty powers that one of them should
act as mandatory and the other two act as
advisors of the Samoan government. Iii
was wiling to let Germany have the first
term of Ave years. England agrees with
Germany in acknow ledging the necessity of
the election of q new king.
All representatives proposed the organiza-
ton of a land court to settle the question of
titles.
At the second meeting Bayard stated that
he understood all agreed upon the following
points: No annexation of islands by any
Of the treaty powers independence and au
IA ha apuatity of
rights. commerce and navigation for citizens
or subjects OF treaty powers; native grants
To be established and assisted to maintain
itself: the present jurisdiction of consuls
over our countrymen be preserved; present
treaties be maintained so far as the rights of
three powers are concerned means of
sppraising revenue for support of govern
ment be devised; the question of taxing
foreigners be considered; impost and tod
mage duties be established by treat's
| between three powers and the Samoan gov
ernment; land court to be formed
TO settle titles and holdings of land
Great Britain and Germany proposed
| King and the council chiefs of the United
States suggested King and the council
chiefs and legislative assembly composed the
representatives elected by the people of ths
| islands. Bayardconsented to q new election
| but insisted that it should be a national cleo
ton. free and unswed. Sir Lionel Wet
said he could assent 10 that proposition. Won
Alveusleber inquired whether they should
| not take into consideration the probabilities
| of the natives not arriving at the election
If it should not take place within certain
time the three powers should agree upon
King, Bayard thereupon proposed to con-
| tinue Malietoa in office. West and Won
Alvensleben opposed this. The latter in
quired whether the newly elected King should
not be approved by the powers, to which
Baysrd replied in the negative.
Won A tvenslebeu read formal statement
of the position OF his government in which it
| saws there i, only one course, to place one
foreign officer at the head Of admlnistratit n
and invest him with sufficient power to take
measures required for the maintenance of
peace aud order, as well as for the prosper
Gus development of commerce and inter-
course the power having the largest inter
ests in Samoa should be given right to NOM
mate that official that Germany was that
power was questioned By no one.
Bsyard .aii that reasoning forgot entirely
the principle that the native government vas
TO preseve its existence. The idea of the
United States was there should be equality
of rights between the powers.
Won AlvPOsieDen s1lu tuht ~As ~
the third protocol : devoted mainly to the dis,
cussion of native legislature and the lane
court.
The fourth protocol reveals a discussion
on the meaning of the phrase alternate
control" Bayard has not the slightest de
2 sire TO exercise and any preponderence ovei
Germany and Great Britain, and did desire
4 the native influence to be upheld by th'
three powers equally and for common pur
poses. The fifth protocol is made up up o
a continuation of the discussion upon tn
Legislative aud land questions. The siIt
' protocol held that on July 26 Bayard rea'
long statement in regard to the plan of th'
J. establishment of peace and civilization i
Samoa with the cooperative support of tn
. governments Of the United States, German
q and Great Britain. Commenting upou tn
4 plan submitted by the German minister b
said 1T 10 substantially = foreign auto
cratic government based on mercantile in
u terests. All experiences have shown th'
under il the defeat of the objects We hsv
ID all distinctly proposed 10 certain. l do nj
,- see wby we should not encourage Samoa
the spirit Of self-government. freedom Al
!. self respect"