Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-17
PEACE OR WAR?
MR.. BAYARD'S INSTRUCTIONS To
REAR-ADMIRAL KIMBERLY.
An Official Report Of the Corre-
spondence Relative to the
Samoan Troubles.


WASHINGTON, January 16th.-Among the cor
concerning affairs in Samoa re-
tered to in President Cleveland's message yes
terday and presented to the Senate to-day, were
the following instructions to Admiral Kimberly
from Secretary Whitney in cablegram dated
January 11th:
Commander Mullen, of the Nipsic, tele-
graphs by way OF Auckland. New Zealand, that
force landed at Samoa from a German feet
which result ed in an engagement between the
troops of Mataafa and the German forces and
the deieas OF the latter DE reports that the
Germans. in retaliation, bombsrded towns dis
regarding protests and neutral rights; that the
property and lives of American citizens are in
danger. He urges the sending OF reinforce
ments. the Germsn Government CLAIMS that
the German forces were first attacked; that war
now exists between Germany and that portion
OF the natives engaged in the attack on the
Germans The German Government invites this
government, in common interS ST, to join in es-
tablishing order in Samoa, giving assurance of
careful respect fyr our treaty rights. The
United states Government is willing TO cooper.
ate in restoring order in Samoa GA the basis of
full preservation of the American treaty
rights and the Samoan autonomy, as recognized
and agreed to by Germany, Great Britain and
the United States, and has so informed
the German Government. You will at OF ce pro-
coed to samoa and extend a full protection and
defense to the American citizens and their
Nice-Consul, examine his archives and other.
wise inform yourself as to the situation, and al
the recent occurrences. and protest against the
subjugation and displacement of the native
Government OF Samoa by Germany, as in viola
ton OF the positive agreement and understand
ing between the treaty powers; but inform the
representatives of The German and British Gov
eFnments of your readiness to cooperate in
causing all treaty rights to be respected and in
restoring peace and order on basis OF recogni-
ton OF Samoan rights to independence. En-
IN nxtra
Samoans and bring about peaceful settle
ment.
If such arrangement can be made upon that
basis, you will report the same for approval
and you will inform this Government. as soon
as possible after your arrival in Samoa of the
condition of affairs and the prospect of peace
full adjustment, aud whether Germany was act
ing impartially between the opposing forces
when the late contics occurred. WHITNEY"
COUNT ARGOS STATEMENT.
January 10Th, the Secretary addressed com
munication to Count Arco, the German Min
lister, in reply to the statement giving the Ger
man version of the Samoan difficulty The
statement of Count Arco is substantially as
follows:
THE German forces landed at Samoa after
the German commander had given notice of his
intentions to the commanders OF the American
and British men-ofwar. the reason for landing
being that some of the German plantations
were IN danger Upon landing the Germans
were attacked by Samoans under the comm and
of Klein all American citizen, and lost fifty
killed and wounded. A state of war was there
fore announced by Germany, and as an Ameri-
can Is alleged TO have been i'll comma1d of the
attacking Samoan forces, Count Arco is in.
structed TO make complaint to the United States
The treaty. rights of the United States and all
the rights OF the treaty powers shall be respected
under all circumstances. The German Govern
ment asks them to join IN an active Way 10
restore calm and quiet"
SECRETARY BAYARD REPLIES.
In response, Secretary Bayard says he at once
communicated to Count Arco, on becoming
aware of the allegations that the Samoan forces
We're ed by an American named Klein, that he
had no knowledge whatever, or reason to be-
lieve that Klein was citizen of the United
States. :. was certain" continued the Secre-
tary's letter, :" that he is not ard never has
been, in any way connected with the public
service, nor acting under the color or pretense
of its authority. The instructions given to the
ohcialS OF this Government at Samoa never
deviated from those made public and which
were well known to Germany aud Great Britain
10 maintain neutrality in samoan affairs and
confiue their action to good offices in the main
telance OF peace aud order in those regions.
and securing protection for American citizens
and their interests
The Secretary says before he received the
German instructions, orders had been given by
the President. looking to the protection OF citi-
zens of the United States, and their property;
that 1t was with entire readiness that he accepted
the invitation OF Germany that the United states
should join in an active way to restore calm and
quiet in those islands.
The Secretary further says: II received also
with expressed satisfaction, your assurance OF
the intentions of your Government to maintain
carefully respect for the treaty rights OF this
Government under all circumstances, and this
as stated to you, necessarily Included respect
Tor the existence OF Samoan autonomy indie
pendent. which i the base OF three treaties
made with United States, Germany and Great
Britain-the first name1 being earliest in daie.
Protocols of the conference on Samoan affairs
held in this city in the summer of 1887, by rep
| resentatives OF the United States Germany ard
Great Britain, will disclose that although the
conference did not produce an agreemen INT as to
complete government foT that community
nevertheless on certain points al three Govern
ment, conceded. One OF these was that p Tree
eiecli N by the Samoans, according 10 their ow II
VIII and custom, of a King, would seem most
OpportCne, if such election could LoS pFacti
caly be held, and / ieei assured il would do
much towards ending the turbulent bitter dis
content which led 10 the shocking iuieraeciue
warfare among these FLANDERS. aud finally in
voiTed them i'll deeply r. gretab.e conflicts with
the German forces, sincerely deplOred by the
United states. hearAdmiral kimberly, coai-
handing our naval forces i'll the Pacific, mas
been ordered to proceed in his flagship trenton
to pia. Fave great confidence in his wisdom
and benevolent discretion, as well as in that of
the naval eommacders of the other national
vessels which have been sent By their respec-
tive Governments 10 Samoan waters to promote
satisfactory arrangements, and ! take 1t for
granted that the same spirit of comfy and per-
cep1ou OF equal rights Of ali tn. three treaty
powers which induced Your Government TO in
yite the active CO ope.ation of The United -tates
III re toring law AID order in samoa, will cause
an Instruction emb dying the same principles
OF friendly justice ana ccnsiderate moderation
| in framing plan OF settlement to be sent TO the
German officers in command of the Imperial
| fo!ces in that region. There was no obscurity
| in the several Treaties and none whatever in
the understanding proposed by the United
States, and first arrived at between the treaty
towers in June, u Sc, and since then from time
| to time set forth in their correspondence.
'On January 18th last the views of this Gov
eminent were fully conve! ed to the Government
OF Germany by my instructions of that date to
our Minister at Berlin, a. have since that time
undergone no change, and no intimation of dis
sent therefrom by the Government of Germany
| since that time has been received"
THE ATTACK OF HALIEToa.
The correspondence op rs with letter from
Mr.. b acklock, Vice Consul of the United States
mt Apia, giving Il record of the current events in
Samoa IRON November 18th TO eth. The sub
stance of those records have been published in
! the press dispatches from time to time. They
gave an account of the fights between the rival
| factions, and the Vice-C0nsups views on things
| as they traDspired from day TO day.
IN Il communication dated Apia, December Sd
| last. Commander Mullan describes Secretary