Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-01-25
GERMANY Is DEFIANT,
DISPATCHES RECEIVED FROM MINISTER
PBNDLRT0N.
The Samoan Affair Discussed Freely in
Washington Secretary Bayard Inter
yswsd-Bismarck's Organ on
the Treaty.

WASHINGTON, u. ", JNludTy S4.-- lhS
dispatches from Berlin and London in re.
GARD to the attitude of Germany on the
Samoan question, were the subject of gen.
eral discussion in the city this evening
An effort was made to obtain the views of
Secretary Beyard On the subj ect this after
noon, but without success. A reporter
waa, however, accorded brief interview
with him this evening, Just as he was
leaving his residence TO attend the state
dinner at the White House.
BE said that he had read the dispatches
in question, but said it wOuld
not be proper for him to discuss
their subject matters at this
time. He did not know who
wrote the article in the North German Gdz-
cite, Whist authority he hsd for his state
ments, consequently he could not assume
them TO be official, and they might, after
all, prove to be mere newspaper gossip.
he said further that, although Germany
may have larger interests in Samoa than
the United States, it had no better or
later information from that country than
the United States In regard to the state
ment that Germany would violate no
treaty in acquiring an ascendeOcy in Sa-
moa, Mr.. Bayard called attention to the
declaration concerning the boundaries of
the German and English domiDions IN the
West Pacific ocean, signed at Berlin, April
6. 1886, by Count Bismarck on the part Of
Germany, and Sir Edward Mallet on the
part of Great Britain.
Mr.. Bayard said he thought this agree
ment precludCd German acquisitions in
Samoa, and that she WAS bound to respect
the rights Of that island.
This declaration, after defining the
boundaries OF the respective possessions of
Il e two countries in the West Pacific Ocean,
provides that neither of them will make
any acquisitions of other territory, nor
establish any protectorate over any other
territory in the West Pacific Ocean. The
LAST section of the declaration express pro-
yides that the NavigatOrs' (Samoa) Islands,
with which Germany, Great Britain and the
Uoited States have concluded treaties,
and the Friendly (Tonga) Islands, and the
Nine Savage Islands shall IN future as
heretofore form neutral territory.
Secretary Whitney declined to be inter
viewed in regard 10 the publication in the
North German Gazette The policy of the
Government, he said, was fixed, and any |
thing which might be ssid in regard to II
must come from the State Department |
The Navy Department had no Jurisdiction
over the matter, except Of an executive
character. No new orders, the Secretary |
said. had been issued by the Navy Depart
ment in regard TO the Samoan affair.
Senator Edmunda, when made acquaint-
ed with the tenor OF the utterances of the
Berlin Gazette. said: Il suppose If Bis
marcS wants to express his opinion upon
any ubiect, he feels at perfect liberty to
do so. bat also suppose that ihe express
sion of such opinion will not seive to deter
the American people from carrying cut any
policy they may adopt as desirable or
necessary"
Such members of the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs IS cOuld be eeen to-
night. were ave1se to discussing freely the
rrssent state OF our relations with Samoa
in view of the fact that the subject is now
before the committee aud they aie expect
ed to communicate their views formally to
the House in the shape of report.
Representative Russell, of Msssachu-
sstte. q member of the subcommittee hEv-
iug the matter in charge, said; If mat
ters should reach an extreme point, l don't
believe that we are going. to be eaten up
By any European power"
Mr.. Hit, leading Republican member
of the committee, was inclined to take a
nsaceful view Of the situation. He said
there was no information in his possession
to the effect that the United States and
Germany had by treaty bound them
selves to preserve Samoan autonomy.
sail it was evident that while cautiously
written the article breatned hostile tspir-
it. melted, no doubt, by exaggerated &C.
couuts which had reached Berlln OF the
feeling in America.
Touching the possibility of eerious
trouble resulting from the Samoan affair
Mr. Hit was disposed to make light OF IT,
COZ course, " said he, there cannot for an
Instant be any doubt ss to the action OF the
limited States if any attempt is made TO
mistreat us. After all, a matter Of such
sIisht importance could not reasonably be
expected TO bring about war between the
limited States and a nation which has Tor
e. l..ar