Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-17
THE SAMOAN QUESTION.
The Instructions of the Sec
retary Were Explicit
GERMANY TAKEN TO TASK
The Share of Special Correspondent
Klein in the Trouble with
the Germans.

The Share of Special Correspondent
Klein in the Trouble with
the Germans.
Associated Press DISPATCHES to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, January 16.-Among the
concerning affairs in
Samoa referred to in President Cleve-
lands message transmitted to Congress
yesterday and presented to the Senate
to-day. are the following instructions to
Admiral Kimberly from Secretary Whit
ney in cablegram dated January 11th:
Commander Mullen, Of the Nipsic, tele-
graphs by way of Auckland, N. a., that q
force landed at Samoa from the German
feet, which landing resulted in an en-
gagement between the troops of Mataafa
and the German forces, and the defeat
of the latter.
che reports that the Germans, in retail
iation, bombarded the towns, Disregard
ing protests and natural rights, and that
the property and lives of American citi-
zens are in danger. He strongly urges
the sending of reinforcements. The Ger
man government claims that the German
forces were first attacked and that war
now exists between Germany and that
portion of the natives of Samoa engaged
in the attack upon the Germans. The
German Government has invited this
Government in common interest to join
in establishing order in Samoa, giving
49, rof,,1 Gov ~;cl, ku
"The United States Government is viii.
ling to cooperate in restoring order in
Samoa on the basis OF full preservation
of American treaty rights and 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 once proceed to Samoa,
and extend full protection and defense to
American citizens and property. You
will consult with the American Vice.
Consul, examine his archives and other
wise inform yourself as to the situation
and recent occurrences. Protest against
the subjugation and displacement Of the
native government of Samoa by Ger
many as in violation OF the positive
agreement and understanding between
the treaty powers; but inform the repre-
sentatives of the German and British
governments Of your readiness to CO.
operate in causing all treaty rights to be
respected and in restoring peace and
order on the basis of recognition of
Samoan rights to independence.
"Endeavor to prevent extreme meas.
ures against the Samoans and bring
about peaceful settlement. If such
arrangements can be made upon that
basis, you will report the same for ap-
proval and you will inform the Govern
ment as soon as possible after your ar
rival in Samoa, of the condition of affairs
and the prospect of peaceful adjust
Msnt, and whether Germany was acting
impartially between the opposing forces
when the late conflict occurred.
"WHITNEY."
Secretary Bayard has addressed CON
munication to Count Arco, German Min
lister, in reply to the statement giving
the German version of the Samoan diff.
Guilty. The statement of Count Arco is
substantially as follows: The German
forces landed at Samoa after the German
Commander had given notice of his in
tention to the Commanders of the
American and British men-of war. The
reasons for landing were that somesGer
man plantations were in danger. Upon
landing the Germans were attacked by
the Samoans under command of Klein,
an American citizen, and lost fifty killed
and wounded.
A state of war was therefore announced
by Germany, and as an American is
alleged to have been in command of the
attacking Samoan force, Count Arco is
instructed 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 a way to re-
store calm and quiet.
In response Bayard wrote Count Arco
that there was no evidence that Klein
was an American, and it was certain he
was not in the American service. This
Government has never deviated from the
treaty made witt, Great Britain and Ger
many regarding Samoa, and is ready to
accept Germany's invitation to help re-
store peace in the islands, but at the
same time the autonomy of the islands,
as agreed on by the Powers, named must
be observed.
The correspondence opens with let
ter from MIR. Blackjack, vice-consul of
the United States at Apia, giving the
record of current events in Samoa from
November 7 to 81. The substance of
those records has been published in the
press dispatches from time to time.
They give an account of the fights be-
tween the rival factions and the vice
.ccusul's views on things as they trans
pired from day to day.
In q communication dated Apia, Dec.
Sd, last, Commander Mullan describes to
Secretary Whitney the attack of Malietoa
upon Tamasese's strong Notifications
lust back of Lutuana and his success.
The commander says it is apparent to
the thoughtful and unprejudiced mind
that the aspirations Of the Samoan people
for liberal and progressive government
are incompatible with the German ideas
of government in Samoa. After their
numerous internal wars and revolutions,
the party Of liberal opinions would be
trium phant, were they not interfered
With by outside influences and by the
presence of German men-of-war abreast
of their Notifications, as q daily reiter-
ated menace and warning, especially so
on the eve of battle.
On January 5th Vice-Consul Blackjack
autographed as follows to Secretary Bay
~. via New Zealand: "The three Ger
man war-ships have undertaken to dis
arm Mataafa, and landed, at night, a force
- ~o<~aok Mofoofo5o ~ ~,