The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-08

been declared by Germany in Apia, but
this is not the first time the German Con-
sui has declared martial law in force
German sentries, even before the Ameri-
cans had been deprived OF their right TO a
joint vote in the government OF the town,
had been commanded TO shoot until dead
men not answering the challenge,
and the notice giving warning OF
this was posted in German script
only. An American banner had
been torn down by Germans and trampled
on. When war was declared against
Malietoa, Apia was occupied without no.
tice TO the Americans. A leading Ameri-
can merchant, standing on his own land,
was knocked down by German sailor
who on his return to his ship was imprs-
oned for not having bayonetcd the man.
J. myself, WINS stopped on the highway Of
Apia. oven before war had been declared,
and the officer whose command had taken
possession OF that part OF the town, threat
cned that ! would be shot ii | proceeded.
German senlries were posted around my
consulate at night 1t is for testifying TO
these facts, ! presume, that my resigna-
ton was asked. Is il not natural that
should differ with Mr.. Bayard in policy
If such it can be called-which permits
these things 10 be done2
"Were my regret" said Mr. Sewall, lat
the loss OF my prestige IN the Pacific by
our submission to German aggression in
Samoa, the measure OF NV humiiating
experience there, | could await patiently
the publication OF my testimony and the
certain results OF an aroused and intelli-
gent public opinion. But such is not the
case. 10 my lasting chagrin and sorrow
mis- in1 lxfh e ri =.
his instructions, | mised the weak and
suffering Samoans into fresh mislortunes
Upon Mr. Bayard, and myself as an inno-
cent instrument obeying his instructions
must rest in q large measure the grevous
responsibility for the distresses which now
threaten the very existence Of the Samoan
people. When / arrived in Samoa, the
insurrection OF Tamasese, fostered by Ger
man officials for purposes now made
plain, was on the point Of disintegration.
Alalietoa. who had been repeatedly held
back by our representatives. from
asserting his authority, had determined to
tolerate this no longer. At this luncture
the day after | arrived | received instruc-
tons, OF which the purport was that |
should restrain Malietoa. did so, giving
him 10 understand, as Mr.. Bayard gave
me 10 understand, that neither he nor his
people won.d be allowed 10 suffer from
following the advice | gave him in the
name of our Government. Malietoa
yielded at my solicitation. and our ma
tional honor was pledged that, as a treaty
power, we would insist upon treaty right
TO the independent existence OF Samoa
As events have shown, | could not better
have served the German purpose than by
this mission OF mine to Malictoa As u
matter OF fact, the public documents be-
fore Congress show that the instructions, In
obedience 10 which ! acted on this oc-
casion were sent me at the instance
oi the German and British Ministers
In less than n month. the German ships
arrived, MalielOa and his chiefs were de-
ported, the man whose life | had saved
by my Intervention was installed in his
place. pitiloss persecution begun against
samoans suspected Of friendship Tor our
flag, and German control as ciieClually
established ~ under open annexation
Having restrained the Samoans when
they could have destroyed Tamasege, and
with his destruction the basis Tor German
interference, during the remainder OF my
service ! urged their submission 20 the in
cyitablc. trusting that linaliy, when the
truth was known, our promise to them
would be fulfilled aud our own honor
saved by the restoration OF the status bc.
fore the conference when gave Malicioa
such fatal advice. In justice 10 myself, In
the hope Of securing II for these wrctched
people, speak ~ do
~ great deal has been said about the
instructions OF the Department OF State 10
our representatives Ia Samoa Will you
give me some light on this point, as
shown IN the instructions oi the ID part
mpnt when YOU were about to sail for Sa-
moa. but were recalled by 'he Foreign
Relations Committee
Before leaving" said Mr.. Sewall, 81
had been about the department, and with
the President at odd intervals for months,
explaining the situation, pointing out the
| inevitable result OF the German proceed
ing, aud warning him that that would hap.
prn which has come 10 pass. When the
rising vi Mniania became known and the
German ilcct was ordered 30 return 10
| Samoa, | asserted positively 90 Mr. Bayard
| hat there could be- but one motive In this,
! md that was 10 actively assist Tamasesc In
lighting Maiaaia. Mr. Iayard repeated to
/ me fresh assurances from Bismarck that
! Germany did not care Who was KIM.
! But iumrd atcly on tho arrival Of the Ger
man shius with German Consul on board
| ifp.h from home Or Kulppcl, We dnd
them siding with Tamascs' and precipiiat.
| ing the conflict Tor which the Samolns
viii b. forced 10 pay heavily. Realizing
~ did the unfortunate prcdicnmcnt oi
our own people. bitterly conscious q our
obligations 90 the samolnH. sought 30 get
from NJ Baylrl Instructions that w0uld
enable me IN some measure 10 assert oui
proper position there, but all the insiruc
lions I received when ] was finally dis
patched 10 Samoa was a copy Of an apollo
grlic note 10 the German Consul on &C.
count oi nm alleged newspaper interview
with me. and these fresh assurances from
Germany"
"woud YOU. please, make a statement
oi your views In rcgitd tp the action Oh ~
State Department accepting bismarck
proposition for o. conference nc BerlinY.
IN an out u accord with The conduc
Of the Department heretofore Ia Samoan
n1lirs, ! ana much more outot Accord viii
IL now. I concur with everyone Who ha
studied the question that the restoration %
the status QUO lhould be- r. preliminary Il
any negotiation, and that this conference
. shall be- renewed under conditions 90 lcns
M favorable b. NJ ns when u was rudcl
interrupted by Germany action. 49,
! mlfck proposes b. renew the cunicrcnc
. n0W on German ground. This mean
much. Mr. prudnt0n, our Minister
. sick aud whoever represents us is 90 be o.
! moved from American public feeling and
, moreover, be- W not likely 90 be vel al
quainicd with the subject Wcbci