New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-22
ance in an off year just where it stands when
IL is trying to elect President.
oUEER NdTAL DEMONSTRATIONS

OUEER NAVAL DEMONSTRATIONS
The Administration is closing its career with
naval demonstrations in Haytian waters and in
the South Seas. With Admiral Luce Boosting
AZ port-au-Prince that il any American YES
sells are seized by the Legitime Government ne
"will demand their release at the lannon's
moutb.v and witt Admiral Kimberly at Apia
in command of three United states men-oi-
war, and under stringent Instructions 10 pro
tect the rights Of American cltizehs, tne state
DEPARTMENTS reputation for pusillanimous di-
nlomacv is TO be retrieved, if possible, at the
last moment. Undoubtedly these displays Of
belated energy are more creditable to the Ma
tion than the indifference and inaction which
have prevailed at Washington since 1883
whenever American rights have been invaded
and commercial privileges challenged Ii thero
were ever an Administration that stood in need
Of making at least show of lighting, it is the
one which is now dispatohing snip after snip
TO the West Indies and to Samoa But what
cheap brayado is shown in one quarter and
what reckless incompetence and blunderlng
in the other
The Uaytian affair was hardly begun before
II was ended. A weak State distracted with
civil war was at the mercy of the two ships
sent to its chief barber to demand the release
of vessel that had been illegally seized ana
condemned. With what assurance did the gal
liant Admiral level his guns against the Hay
tan gunboat and helpless capital Legitime
could not resist the demands, and bluster was
safe. But when the Administration has to deal
with Germany it is more circumspect. IL sends
feet of three vessels to Apia with an osten-
tatious display OF frmness and patriotism; but
mark the prudence with which 1t proceeds.
No sooner are the formal instructions pre-
pared for Admiral Kimberly than copy is HE'D
with the German Minister and proclaimed to the
world. In this way the most eifectuai meas
ures have been taken to render the naval dem
onstration inoperative. II the Admiral's in
str1ctions had been kept secret, he might have
been able to accomplish some useful purpose
But with his orders furnished to the German
Government in advance, he can do nothing
either to uphold the dignity OF the Nation OF
to settle the questions at issue in Samoa. The
German Admiral and the officials on shore be-
ing previously informed of the scope OF his in
structions, will laugh in their sleeves and mar
vel anew at the diplomatic incapacity Of the
American Government
The Administration is receiving far more
credit than it deserves for its energy in dis
patching vessels Of war to Samoa. The time
for action, if a display Of force were to be
made, was when Germany renowned its treaty
obligations in Selling the municipality or bet
ter STILL when the engagements made with
Secretary Bayard at the time Of the conference
were wantonly disregarded. Two years ago,
when King Maletoa was dethroned and car
RED off a prisoner by German frigate in VIC
lation Of the agreement under which the con-
ference had been called, and in defiance to the
conclusions which it had reached, spirited
foreign policy with the accessions OF a naval
demonstration would have been timely and
effective. No Government ever received n
more direct afTront than the United States from
the scandalous Intervention Of the German
feet when negotiations were proceeding at
Washington.
There was no naval demonstration when the
Germans were victorious in their usurpation,
but there is one now, when their forces and al
lies have been routed. But Mr.. Bayard is al
WAYS true 10 his timorous character. lie can
not dispatch the feet without assuring the Ger
man Minister that nothing offensive is meant
and filing with him a copy Of the harmless In
struotions to the American Admiral. Nothing
will come Of this burlesque naval performance.
Another and wiser Administration will have to
extricate the country from the results OF Sec
rotary Bayard's folly.