New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-06
Mr.. BATES ON BISMARCKS ORDERS.
HE BELIEVES THAT THE STATUS QUO SHOULD
BE REsToRED-GERMANY's WAR WITH
BANDA DISCUSSED

SAMOA DISCUSSED
Washington. Feb. b-Georgc III. Bates of Delaware
recently United States Commissioner at Samoa to-
Gay asked by an Associated Press reporter what in
MS opinion would be tho probable effect upon the
policy Of Government of Prince BIsmarcks
cent orders to the German Consul at Samoa and the
commander OF the German feet. He said: IL do not
see why the more recent dispatches from Germany
should affect the attitude OF the United States The
proclamation Of the martial law and the assumption
OF The direct administration Of affairs in Samoa by the
German Consul which are reported TO have been
discountenanced by Prince Bismarck, were not the
gravamen Of the tro le there, which excited the at
ention Of the President and Congress. Those harsh
measures were determined upon and reported long
after the subject, had been referred to Congress with
the recommendation of action by that body. These
measures did not arouse public indignation in this
country-they only aggravated It, The mterposition
OF Congress was invoked by previous aggressons OF
the local German officials and residents there, the dis
regard Of the understanding, expressed and implied,
upon which all our negotiations with Germany have
proceeded, ana the evident disposition OF that power
to absorb the group without further consultation with
U.S. with respect TO these matters there Is yet no
sign of any concession unless IL be tho proposition
published this morning for conference at Berlin. In
mJ Judgment the restoration Of the status quo ought
to be condition precedent to any further negotiations,
aud this involves among other things the reassemblng
or the conference at Washington 1t to me that
Prince Bsmarck's proposal TO remove the negotiations
to Berlin involves both slight and compliment 10
our Secretay Of State-a slight because he was our
representative hero and could be present rs such no
where elsa compliment because 1t would Indicate
that IN the conference the proceedings of which arc as
yet unpublished, he excelled in diplomacy the German
and English representatives combined.
But II Germany's disclaimer were broad
IN efh m
tho Presidents communication 10 Congress, past ex
perence warns us not be too quick in relying upon
assurances from Berlin as indicating the course Of
events In samoa when the German nag was raised
there contemporaneously with Tamasese's rebellion.
tbs act was solemnly dsavowed by Bismarck as soon
as reported, and yet the flag continued to fly until
our flag was raised by Consul Greenbaum. months
atterward
The successive violations by tho German local Of
hcials in Samoa Of assurances made to this Govern
ment Indicate either gross INSTRUMENTATION which is
entirely contrary 10 all our notions OF German dis
ciplne, else that some understanding exists by
which the Consul there IS authorized to act on his
own responsibility according to his views of the neces
stiles OF the case and to exceed bis instructions as
reported here"
@what do you think OF the declaration OF war by
Germany against Samoan
ats prosecution seems to me utterly inconsistent
with the restoration OF the former status. II Ger
many goes on with war In SAMOA 10 viii be useless TO
have conference at all. OF course, Germany can
ultimately drive the samoans into the sea, and take
tho Islands by conquest. This would be no less the
destruction Of Samoan autonomy than II IL we're done
by gradual encroachment II We confer, We should
Insist on an absolute halt; II wo consent to less than
this VIC may as well wash hands of the whole
business and abandon all idea Of preserving the neu
traity OF those Islands,
Your report on Samoa has frequently been alluded
10 OF late Is II true that a portion OF It was sup
pressed in the copy furnished Congrcssl IL has been
stated that this was because you were instructed TO
report facts, not opinions
Tho newspaper suggestion that II was suppressed
Mr. Bates replied. because It stated opinions, not
facts will be better answered when II is published, II
that is done hereafter. have not stated, nor can
do So what u contains and no one In the state De
partment would be likely to authorize any such state
ment in view OF my Instructions and the facts OF INC
sase / was directed TO report upon the ponticai
condition OF the islands and the remedies when a
and the other commissioners proposed ms dlI,
supporting my conclusions with the reasons Whch
seemed TO me pertinent The suggestion that iur.
nisbed 10 am one a statement OF opinions cinoodled
n Tho unpublished portion Of my report Is without
any foundation. | do not know Senator Frye ana
do NOT think I have ever him. The Senator
obtained what Is termed The confidential copy IRON te
Secretary of state himself. he distinctly states IN
his speech upon the subject