Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-02-16

pnnied by barbarous customs, OF those not nu-
merous tribes for whose welfare according TO
the Judgment OF the civilized world, 1t was
duty OF the treaty powers TO provide.
Bismarck in consequence, CONSIDERED
it duty OF tho part cjpataB
governments 10 put an end by the agree
ment Of treaty powers TO the troubles
which had originated in Samoa by restoration
of peace among the Samoans themselves and
to make an end OF iutire bloodshod and the
horrors OF civil war conducted with barbar
Gus cruelty among the natives. The best rem.
edy seemed TO be resumption OF the consult
tation which took place between the repre-
sentatiyes of Germany, England hnd the |
United States in 1887 q, Washington, and at |
that time adjourned without any possibility ot |
their representatives coming TO any agree |
men,. The last conference had taken |
place at Washington, and, according 10
the equal rights OF the three treaty powers II
seemed proper that the place for the negoti'l'
tions should change IN regular turn. Count |
Arco was directed TO invite the Government OF
the United States TO conference regarding
Samoa, to take place at Berlin milar
invitation having been sent to the British
Government. He vas also directed TO declare
that any snpnos'tinn that Germanp wonld NOT
feel satisfied with neutral pos ton IN the
Samoan islands was unfounded. Germany
did not intend 10 put In question
the Independence of the island group
nor the equal rights OF the treaty powers She
smlly desired 10 create q condition which Of
fered permanent security for bringing TO an
end bloodshed and decaptation, nnd Which
would grant permanent safety TO the CONNER
cial interests Of the three treaty powers IN
Samoa,
Next day Secretary Bayard wrote to Count
..l...,s aY,.A
ArCo nnouncDg that the President accepteu
Germauy's proposal for conference with h
view OF establishing peace on the basis OF rec
ognized Independence for the Samoan Islands
/ and the equal rights OF the three treaty overs
The Secretary said that the sooner such confer.
euce could he begun the better. in view OF the
| "la,c deporahie scenes OF bloodshed In
! Samoa" and 1t appeared 10 be essential That
| in the meantime truce should be forthwith
\ nroclsimed II is declared that ~ CON
! tention OF arms by such scanty
pnnd as the Samonns against me
vast armaments OF Germany has, OF
course, but one result, assured in advance, and
would be maniiestly futile There no feat
ure OF equality in such struggle 1t was ac'
eordingly suggested that tho three treaty pow
ers should at once telegraph instructions "a
Samoa suspending belligerent action on the
part OF Their respective officers. The Secretary
adds:
"The announcement OF the conference be
tween the treaty powers, II is confidently ex
pected. will ut once cause a cessation OF hostil
tiles among the nat ives, and their speedy elec
tion OF u King would certainly be long stel
toward harmony. Except as the condition MAJ
be changed by a fnce election OF King hy th'
natives, IL is deemed essential that the anair
IN Samoa should remain in statu quo pendln
the conference. The statements you read 4
me, as emanating from the German Consul
Samoa, in which he finds fault with the cor
duct OF Captain Leary, OF the Nips't
and OF Mr. Blackjack, the United State
, Consul as violatve OF the instruct on
, of this Government 10 maintain On impartia
attitude IN the conflicts IN Samoa, do nc
, appear to be substantiated by an averment
any personal knowledge OF the facts, but mus
have been based upon informal on and belle
only, or are reported at secondhand aud mus
be classed as merely heursay ev dence. Niue
allowance must be made for the excitemer
, prevallng in Samoa, which is not favorable
! accuracy or moderation of statement espec
=, IL OF those concerned as actors"
= The protocols OF the conference between II
, United States, Germany and England, whic
D began at Washington July y, 1887, show thi
I at the first meeting d memorandum WI
= submitted on behalf of the Unite
z states. II provided for the independent
I and autonomy OF the kingdom OF the islar
r OF Samoa, for native King and respect u
/. | native customs and traditions II further pr
n yided for o constitutions; ulSo that the foreif
Consuls should retain Grim nal jursdct'c
over their countrymen, and that ea'
" OF the treaty powers could alterhate
y keep "a man.of-war in Samoan waters io'
9 months IN each year. The German Minst
| o1,a
v treaty obligations: that the Samoans were
Il capable OF ma ntaining peace and order OIL
Il therefore he suggested an advisor to the KIN
this adv. .sor to "act as the mandatory
the three powers" He acknowledged absolu
!. EQUALITY OF treatment in respect OF commerc
navigation. Jurisdiction and oil other matte'
The British NJ n isier favored an information
" land court and an unaltered consular larisd
II tiou. as Malietoa and Tamnsese were then
l. wur.
E. AZ the conference OF July Mr. Bayhrd I'd
y he understood that ali agreed thnt prese
u treaties should be retained; that the natl
. government was TO be estuplisheu u
y. ass sted TO maintain itself, and 70
y means for raising revenue should re
~ ylsed. Germany and England propos
- that there should te only
~ and council cf chiefs. but the United sta
y, suggested King, council OF chiefs and u r.
"a resentativc Legislative assembly elected by
70 people. The German Minister urged that
q. there was such legislative assembly ii sto
be merely col sultati,e, without dec
,ng vote. The United States in view
existing treaties and declarations nude by q
su,s proposed the continued recognition
10 Malietoa as King and OF Tamasse rs VI
IS King. The British and German governme
ig proposed new election and in u
n. for the sake Of coming 10 On ayr
,e nent, Secretary Bayard was dispo
r TO concur. The German Minister ssl
- whether the newly elected King sho
u. u, not DO approved by tho powers. Mr.. Bay
~ thought no.. The German Minister said peo
u might nomina ate the KING and tho powers
u firm him. Mr.. Bnyard objected 70 this ON
sc around that this WOULD virtually give the p
ty ers the choice OF hins.
70, Al q subsequent session Secretary Bay
re said the adoption OF 0ermony's piaa for 1
d. ernins tue islnnds would weaken thei- .
Ile traiity IN tho interest Of Germany Va when
German Minister replied that Nj. Baya