The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-06
Geo. H, Bates Interviewed Yesterday.
He Was Late United States Com.
missioner at Samoa.
His Opinion on tho Proposals OF the
German Chancellor.
The Proclamation of Martial Law
and German Assumption
or the Administration OF Samoan Az
fairs Are Not the Troublesome
Points-signifcanoe OF Trans
ferring the Conference.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, -Georgc H. bates,
OF Delaware, late United States Commits
sioncr ut Samoa, was today asked 10y an
Associated Press reporter. what, in his
opinion, would be the probable effect upon
the policy Of our Government OF Prince
Bismarck's recent orders 20 the German
Consul ut Samoa, and the commander OF
the German feet. lie said: 81 do not
see why the more recent dispatches from
Germany should Affect the attitude Of the
United States. The proclamation OF mar
tial law and the assumption Of the direct
administration OF affairs in Samoa 10y the
German Consul which arc now reported
to have been discounteDanced by Prince
Bismarck were not the chief points OF the
troubles there, which excited the a,tcn-
ton of the President aud Congress. Those
harsh measures were determined upon,
aud reported long after the subject had
been referred TO Congress with the recon-
mendation Of action by that boly. These
measures did not arouse public indigna-
ton in this country they only aggla-
waited H. The intefposition. OF Congress
was invoked 10y prcyou. expressions OF the
local German officials aud residents there
the disregard OF the understanding cx-
pressed and implied, upon when all our
negotiations with Germany have pro-
ccedcd, and the evident disposition Of
that power to absorb tho group, without
further consultation with lus. With re-
spcct TO these matters there is ~ yet no
sign OF any concession unless il be- the
proposition published this morning for a
conference ut Berlin. In my judgment
the restoration OF the status quo ought to
be condition precedent TO any further
negotiations, aud involves among other
things the rcasscmbling of the conference
at Washington. II seems 10 me that
Prince Bismarck's proposal to remove the
negotiations Ia Berlin involves both a
slight and a compliment b our Secretary
OF Statc-a slight because he was our rep
rcscniatiye here, and could be pres
cnt at none nowhere ehc; COM
pliment because Il would indicate
that in thv conference. the proceedings OF
which are rs yet unpublished, he OK.
! ccllcd Ia diplomacy the German aud En-
/ glish representatives combined. hut even
| II Gcrmany's disclaimer were broad enough
| 10 cover the whole subject matter involved
| in the Presidents communication 10 Com
gress, past experience warns M not iO bc
too quick in relying upon assurances from
| Berlin ~ indicating the course OF events
| in Samoa. When the German flag was
raised there contempomncou-ly with la
mascsc's rebellion, the act was solcmnly
| disayowcd by Bismarck M soon ~ re-
| ported. and yet the flag continued 10 fly
until our flag was raised by Consul Green.
baum, months aitcrward. The successive
| violation, hy the German local officials In
| Samoa, ol assurances made 10 this Gov
eminent indicate either gross insubordina'
| ton. which is entirely contrary TO all OUT
| notions Of German discipline, or else some
| understanding exits by which the Consul
there IL authorized 10 act on his own rc.
| spOnsihility, according 10 his views Of the
necessities Of the cilse, and b. exceed his
| instructions ~ reported here"
"Whnt 10 YOU think of the declaration
OF war by Germany against SAMOA
cts prosecution seems 10 me utterly In.
consistent with the restoration of the for
mcr status. II Germany goes on with wal
| in samoa, II will be useless 10 have n con
! ference nj Ill. OF course Germany eau al
/ timatcly drive the Samu1ns into the sci
/ and take the islands 10y conquest Thu
would be- no less the destruction Of Samoan
autonomy than Il Il were done 10y grndua
encroachments. II we confer We SHOULD
insist on an absolute halt, II We consent
10 less than this We NAV ~ well wash on
hands Of the whole business and abandon
all idea Of preserving the neutrality o
! thusp Islands
Your report on Samoa has frequent,
been alluded 10 Of late. j. IL true that !
| portion Of II WIS suppressed In the cop
furnished Congress2 II has been state,
that this was because yOl were instructed
to report facts, not opinions
The newspaper suggestion that II WI
suppressed because il stated opinions, not
facts. will be better answered when u d
published, II that is done hereafter ! hay'
not stated, nor can ! DO 10, what II con
,ains, and no one In the State Department
would be- likely b. authorize any sucl
statement, IN Wow Of my instructions, an'
the facts Of the case. Twas directed 10 70
port upon the political condition Of th
Islands. aud the remedies wmch and thl
other commission proposed. This did
supporting my conclusions with the tea
sous which seemed 10 me pertinent TIN
suggestion that | furnished 10 any one
statement OF opinions embodied Ia tho un
published portion Of my report, ~ Wthou
any foundation DO not know Senate
FRYE, and do not think J have over secl
him. The Senator obtained what II terlnc
the confidential copy from the Secretary 9
, state himself, M he distinctly states In hi
, gpepch upun the subject"