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

WASHINGTON, fcb. An Associated
Press reporter called this afternoon upon
Mr.. Sewall and asked for q statement Of
the reasons given by the State Department
in its request that he should tender his
resignation as Consul-General at Samoa.
Mr.. Sewall in reply said:
The reason given in the letter asking my
resignation is the disagreement OF my ex.
pressed views with the views entertained
by the State Department in regaid to
Samoan affairs. This refers, suppose, to
the testimony ! have given before the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,
and which has not yet been published.
No disapproyal Of my conduct in Samoa as
Consul.G General has ever been expressed
by the State Department 50 far a. I know.
and, indeed, it will appear, from the com
municalion sent to Congress in regard TO
the situation OF affairs in Samoa, that the
department wrote me commencing my
course in the Trying and delicate posi-
uon," as II was styled in which | was
placed during the deposition Of Malietoa
az the time OF the conference Of the powers.
Only two months ago, when | requested
request was denied Tor the reason, ~
stated that the situation OF affairs In
samoa rendered my presence there adj
Visiblc, suggesting no doubt, even then,
ol my fitness for the place. AS u well
known, ! was on my way TO my post
ben summoned To Washington 90 testify
iJre the Foreign Relations Committee.
Last Thursday | was discharged by the
faIH
u most critical condition, Immediately
made arrangements 10 return 10 Samoa.
No intimation was given me that / should
not be allowed to do 20 until within n few
hours OF nay intended departure, when
was notified 10 remain here. The purpose
was obvious. My services were needed
Immediately. II at all Another steamer
would no, sail until March, aud IL was the
evident intention to dClaIn me until after
the incoming oi the next Administration,
upou which, ~ h known, ! have not the
slightest claim 90 political recognition.
mo" continued Alr. Scwall. 81 did
not thorcupon tender my resignation. |
had done nothing wrong. | had too
much respect iof Mr. Bayard 10 assume
that had offended him by my testimony
before the committee. Beside ! was un.
der oath 10 tell all knew Of Samoan af.
iain, and 10 withhold nothing. The views
lcxprcsscd on the situation and the rom
ely necessary were given nj the request Of
the committee. IL WIS not Tor me To con.
slider whether those views agreed with
Mr. Bayard's or not | do know. however,
that my views coincide with those II all
Americans who have given the matter
any thought, the Stats Department oxccp-
ted, for which | cannot speak"
"Nhat are those views, Mr. Scwa'lf'
IL believe" mid Mr. ScRall with de-
liberation, 'that the deposition Of Ma.ictoa
was determined upon before the confer
onco Of the three powers began, and that
ID was the German intention Ia carry out
the policy Il had decided upon regardless
oi HAT conference. The purpose 81 Cor
many u 10 secure control OF Samoa in
> defiance Of the solemn and repeated 49,
suraucgs ID has given 10 our Government
Furthermore, believe that lord Salisbury
isa party 10 this scheme, aud that tht
movement against Samoa b only the pre-
cursor oi an Auglo-tiyrman attempt tp sc'
cure supremacy in the Hawaiian Islands
"What, IN your opinion, Mr. ScWali,
will Dc the elect OF the dispatch %
American ships II war 10 project our in
tcu-s in s3m0iY'
II concur With Mr.. Bates, our late Com
missioner 20 samoa, in Lbs Published
opinion that Admiral Kimberly can ac
camplish nothing under bis instruction.
from the State Department MI Bdyaf,
oxpo tel Admiral Kimberly 10 succeed 10
LDiua by protest what hc las been 'rylnl
Without success 10 10 for year. a pro
tca'g Docs Mr Bayard suppose q pr0tcs
WiIl mm Germany from her Cuursc sh
has been steadily pursuiugl Commander
Irsry aud Mullen have protested, an.
their protests have been received vii
c1niompt, aud d0,s anyone expect AdmI
mi Kimberly will be- treated bc,tcr'
"Whrt Do you believe should b. d1nci
"t believe with SECRETARY Whitney iha
n definite policy should be adopted l
Samoa. 10 tcnd our ships there with onl
their present instructions b. simply 20 sul
icci their onicon aud men 10 humiliation
or. ns Secretary Whitney using q pplii
term out Of respect, suppose, terms irr
taiing conditions, from which their sri
taHpet makes them revolt hut Scrrciar
Hayard cannot punish Secretary Nhi,nc
on Mr.. lHtct ! am The wcakCtL and au
Therefore singled out f0r sacrifice
M scWal uid that whatever bis pei
gonal opinion " the attitude Of Mt baNni
in samoan alair might be-, be had. durl
= hi cuiip term Of service, loyalty aud 10
rliciiy followed the Scctc.ury's ins,ri
lions, notwithstanding they placed him
a false aud humiliating position. said b
"As the representative ui the tovcrnme
10 which our citiEns looked for proie
lion. vas forced 10 see indiguiiics (
alciod upon them. their property aciz
AMI their trade destroyed ] bad no pow
whatever 10 give them redress
Ia reply 70 mn inquiry ~ a. whc'l,l
gefmai, aRgrus. ION had been going on