New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-01

propriate 100000 to enable the President 10 pro-
tect American interests in Samoa. In rather nys
terous language II was hinted that the real question
at issue would be presented before tho Senate
In another form altogether. This is understood TO
mean a resolution to be introduced by the Foreign
Relations Committee which shall clearly define the
policy Of tho Administration in regard to the whole
Samoan difficulty. But this is only surmise, as
Of tho members of the committee yet pre-
tends to know what his colleagues will do when they
meet again.
Meanwhile things are believed to be drifting without
any definite plan-no one knows where, the Pres-
dent and Secretary Of State having shifted the rc
sponsbility from their own shoulders upon those OF
Congress. Tho Senate is lndulgng in proftless de-
bate while Germany is acting and pushing forward
step by step toward complete seizure Of the samoan
Islands. and there is the almost absolute certainty
that the House Will consume twico as much time IN
windy debate as the Senate has done. No one here
believes that the request made by Prince Bismarck
for further negotiations is intended 70 serve any
other purpose than that Of gaining time and securing
stu stronger foothold in tho Samoan Islands
curious revelation mado by Mr.. Frye IN the
course Of debate to-day IS the fact that he is In pos
session of certain official documents transmitted TO him
by Secretary Bayard upon special request but marked
by tho latter strictly confidential" Thus 1t seems
that even outside Of the notorious secret protocol
there stln remain papers file In the State Depart
ment tho contents OF which Mr. Bayard Is unwling 70
dvulgs while relegatng these affairs to the higher
discretion conferred upon Congress under the Consti'
tution," and with selfsatsed men washing his hands
Of the whole business. Mr. Frye was prodded In vain
to tell what these papers were, but steadily refused,
though doubt sorely tempted. They believed to
be report from George NJ. Bates, the special com
missioner of tho United States who negotiated the
Treaty OF 1885, or, at least certain portions of re-
port which Secretary Bayard ft 10 suppress. Mr.
Bayam has excused this strange proceeding on the
ground Il IS said, that Mr. Bates directed to re-
port tho Department facts only, and not opinions
Tho expurgated edition Of the report was furnished TO
Congress Tho passages cut out were Of nature not
rejecting much credit either upon Mr.. Bayards tudg
ment diplomacy. They In fact the views Of
Of discenment who gathered his material on the
spot. Mr. Bayard at a distance Of 5000 miles thought
he know better.
The spectacle Of Secretary OF State editing Official
reports In his own interest IS sufficiently novel one
to excite tho wonder and indignation of people here.
But at present there seems TO be no remedy for II,
except Congress should SEQ t TO demand tho papers
and insist that Mr.. Bayard should longer hide him
self behind the timc<rorn that their publication
would be incompatible with the public interests
In the meantime 1t IS open secret here that the re-
latons OF Mr.. Bayard and Mr.. Bates hayo become
strained tho latter being most outspoken in his de
nuncation Of policy which made tho present con
dition of Affairs possible.