Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
AS SEEN AT WASHINGTON.
Comments ON Germany's Action Regarding
The SamOanS.


The SamOans.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-The dispatches
from Berlin and London regarding the at
tltude of Germany on the Samoan ques-
ton as the subject of general discussion
to day. The representative Associated
Press was accorded brief interview with
Secretary Bayard this evening. He said
he had read the dispatches in question,
but it would not be proper for him
to discuss their subject matter at this
time. In regard to the statement that
Germany would violate no treaty in &C
curing ascendency in Samoa, Bayard
called attention to the declaration con-
corning the boundaries of the German
and English dominions in the West
Pacific ocean, signed at Berlin April 6,
1886, and said he thought this agreement
precluded German acquisitions in Samoa
and that she was bound to respect the
rights of that island.
Assistant Secretary Rives intimated
that there were important differences in
the statements made by the North Ger
man Gazette and the presidents message
to congress of the 10Th inst, in regard to
the treaty rights of Germany, Great
Britain and the United States in the
out the discrepancies, but it is under
stood that he referred particularly to that
passage in the message where the presi-
dent says: "Acting within the restraints
which our constitution and laws have
placed upon executive power, have in
sisted that the autonomy and indepenence
of Samoa should be scrupulously pre-
served according to the treaties made
with Samoa by the powers named Ger
many, Great Britain and the United
States) and their agreements and under
standing with each other, and
have protested against ev-
cry act apparently tending in an OPP
posite direction, and during the existence
of the internal disturbance one or more
vessels of war have been kept in Samoan
waters to protect American citizens and
property"
Secretary Whitney said the policy of
the government was fixed and anything
which might be said in regard to it, must
come from the state department.
Senator EdmuDds, when made ac-
quainted with the tenor of utterances of
the Berlin Gazette, said: 81 suppose
that the expression of such an opinion
will not serve to deter the American peo-
pie from carrying out any policy they
may adopt desirable or necessary.
The Samoan islands are of great i'm
portance with relation to the de-
velopment of trade via the projected
canals across the isthmus of Panama
and across Nicaragua"
Such members of the house committee
on foreign affairs as could be seen to-
night were averse to discussing freely
the present state of our relations with
Samoa in view of the fact tha6 the sub
ject is now before the committee and
they are expected TO communicate their
views formally to the hovse in the shape
of report.
Representative Russell, of Massa-
chusetts, when told of the position taken
by the Gazette, remarked that eff mat |
tiers should reach an extreme point
d int believe we are going to be eaten Up |
by any European power"
Mr.. Hit, leading republican member |
of the committee WAS inclined TO take a /
peaceful view of the situation. 1t was
evident, while cautiously written the ar
ticle breathed hostile spirit, melted, no
doubt, by the aggravated accounts which
had reached Berlin as to the feeling in
America. The fact is, said Mr.. Hit, We
ere suffering from a lack of information.
The president, to use his term, related"
the entire subject to congress, but uufor-
tunstely failed to transmit
copy of the agreement between
the representatives of the United
states, England and Germany. Just
what that agreement is or how it binds
the United States, nobody in congress
knows, but it must be very bad agree
meat under which the preset state of
affairs in Samoa has resulted. So long
b the country knows that wise men of
both political parties in the senate nave
been fully advised and taken into the
presidents confidence, the people rest in
ease. Touching the possibility of SER
ous trouble resulting from the Samoan
affairs. he had confidence in the strong
common sense of leaders on both sides
Of the sea. After all matters Of such