New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-29
A LULL IN SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
A REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE NIPsIC's
COMMANDER.
THE CORRESPONDENTS NOT MADE PUBLIC
SECRETARY BAYAaD REQUESTED BY
CONGRESS TO MAKE THE AGREE
ME.NT PUBLIC.

|
Washington, Jan. 25-Secretary whtneys mall this
morning contained long report from Captain Mullen
Commanding the United States ship Npsc, dated az
| Apia, Samoa, December 90. The report gave de-
tailed account Of occurrences on those islands since
December g. the date OF Captain Muens last report TO
| the Department, and covering the period Of the en-
gagemenls between the natives and the Germans ana
OF the alleged insults 10 the American flag. copy
| Of the report Will be furnished TO the Secretary OF
State and viii probably be transmitted to Congress the
latter part of this week. together with the correspond
enco received Saturday from the Acting ConsulGen-
eral, Mr. Blackjack, the same subject The oil-
clals refuse positively make public at this time any
| OF correspondence, combining themselves to inc
simple statement that there is nothing In II that
has not already appeared in the newspaper accounts
| OF the same occurrences
Excitement over possible rupture OF tho amicaop'
relations OF this country with Germany has materlaT
abated. Great curiosity stl1 exists TO know inc
exact wording OF the protocol drawn up by inc
| representatives Of the United States, Germany ana
| England in tho summer OF 1887. Secretary Baysru
sim insists that the record of these proceedings must
DO kept secret while at the time no asks Congress
TO formulate policy for him. 1t IS probable. how
ever, that he Will DO called upon TO state more
definitely the reasons why no refuses 10 make tho
protocol public In the House to-day Representative
Ford, of Michigan, offered for reference 10 the Com
mltee on Foreign Affairs tho following preamble and
| resolutlon
Whereas recent dispatches from vIce-Consul Black
lCck OF Apia samoa, 20 tho Secretary Of state, ana
accounts in the public press have conveyed the IN
telgence OF great ndIgnes offered by the representa-
tves OF Germany TO American citizens and American
interest in Samoa and whereas, I'm the correspond
once transmitted by the President 10 Congress on
April ., 1883, touching our rights in Samoa. there
appears letter from the Secretary OF
State 10 tho British and German Ministers askins
permission OF their Governments 10 make pubic he
lout protocols Of the Samoa Conference held between
said Secretary and said Ministers IN the summer VI
Whereas II IS alleged that the publication OF thess
protocols would show that Germany has voieteo
treaty rights and obligations solemny entered iptn
with the United states,
Resolved. by the House of Representatives that The
Secretary of State be requested to transmit 10 tbs
House copies OF all such protocols and memoranda Oh
the proceedings OF said conference, IL not incOmpaOe
with the public interest.
1t Is very probable that Mr. Bayard viii say in re-
ply that 10 dlvulgc the proceedings OF the conference
Will not be =" compatible with the public interest
though It win be difficult for him TO convince any
body on that point
As regards the reports Of strained relations between
the state Department and Secretary whitney, there
Is believed to be no foundation for that Secretary
Bayard refused talk upon that feature Of the case
altogether when asked about 10 to-day. SECRETARY
Whitney was more communicative and as straight
forward he always Is I'm his dealings with the pres
He said: IL Is not true there Is nothing IN this story
OF strained relations. certainly not as far as ain
concerned. There Il nothing whatever in g."
Representative Herbert. chairman VI the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, called at the state De.
partment to-day. and had conference with Secretary
likely that the President VIII have something more ~
say on the subject when he sends 10 Congress The t9r
respOndcnco which has taken place since his la5t es
sage.