The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1889-1889, 1889-01-31
SOME OLD CORRESPONDENCE.
Documents Regarding Samoa Exchanged
by America and Germany.

Documents Regarding Samoa Exchanged
by America and Germany.
OF the various documents transmitted
by the President to Congress explaining
the course of the Department of State in
the Samoan complications the letter of
Prince Bismarck to Baron Won Zedwitz
of the German Legation in November,
1887, and the reply of Secretary Bayard
through Minister Pendleton in January,
1883, are perhaps the most interesting as
presenting in a clear and interesting way
the respective claims and contentious of
Germany and the United States. In his
letter to Baron Won Zedwitz. Prince Bis
marck says:
You have already been instructed on q
former occasion to draw the attention of the
Secretary Of State, Mr.. Bayard, to the anti
German attitude observed by the American
COnsul-General at Apia, Mr.. Sewall, during
our action against the Samoan King, Malietoa.
We have had similar experience with the
predecessors of Mr.. Sewali on all occasions
whenever we endeavored, In view of the unset
tied state'of Affairs on the Samoan Islands, to
obtain better guarantees for the protection OF
the there living German subjects and their
commercial interests.
The endeavors made by Germany in the in.
terest Of the establishment Of lawful and
orderly condition of affairs on those islands
have, without exception, met with the opposi-
ton of the American consular representatives.
"
He [Consul Greenbauml arbitrarily an
nounced, in a proclamation issued on the 14th
Of May, 1885, the American protectorate over
the Samoan Islands and holsted as sign
thereof the American flag over the Samoan
flag, proceeding which was disavowed by his
Government.
Bismarck contends that Germany has
always maintained the principal of
equality Of rights of oil nations and never
aspired to political advantages.
In his dispatch to Mr.. Pendleton, Sec.
rotary Bayard resisted the contention
that the troubles in Samoa were due to
the acts OF American Consuls, and pre-
scented countercharges against Germany's
representatives.. Mr. Bayard gives his
version of the conference of the repre-
sentatives Of Germany. Great Britain and
the United States in Washington in June.
1887, and says:
When the conference was suspended In July
last until the autumn 1t was done with the con-
currence OF all the members and solely for the
purpose of enabling the representatives of Ger
many and Great Britain to consult their re-
specLive governments. No intimation was
then given that the status quo would be
changed, or that any acts of hostility against
the Samoan Government or King Malietoa
personally were In contemplation.
Owing doubtless to her commercial prepon-
derance In the islands, to Germany the pri-
mary object has seemed to be the establish
ment of stronger government. To the
United States the object first in importance
has seemed to be the preservation of native in
dependence and autonomy. And so regarding
the natter this Government, while not ques-
tioning Germany's assurance OF the absence
Of any intention on her part to annex or es.
tablish protectorate over the islands, has been
compelled to dissent from propositions which
seemed to subordinate all other considera-
tions to the strengthening of the German COM
mercial and landed interests in the islands and
correspondingly diminish, II not entirely to
destroy the probability OF Samoan govern
ment, and Of the naturalization OF the group,
at least in respect to the powers now immedi-
ately concerned.