Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-02-09
TOUCHING SAMOA.
Rehearsing Former DiplO-
matte Discussions.
BAYARD IN A MINORITY OF ONE
Germany Informed that a Truce in
Samoa is the One Condition of
Conference.

Samoa is tne OHe CONultlOH Ol
Conference.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HSRALDi
WASHINGTON, February S.-The proto-
coils or official minutes of the conferences
on Samoan affairs held in this city in
1887, together with additional correspon-
dence on the subject, were laid before
Congress this afternoon. In the letter OF
transmissal President Cleveland says the
Governments OF Germany and Great
Britain have consented to their publica-
ton. The first enclosure is telegram
| from Minister Pendleton to Secretary
Bayard, dated Berlin, February lst, in
which he says that the statement made
to Secretary Bayard by Count Arcoval-
ley, announcing that the German Gov
ernment had rebuked its officers for the
declaration of martial law against
foreigners, had anticipated the state
ment he (Pendleton) had been instructed
to make by the German government.
On February 1, Secretary Bayard wrote
to Count Arcovaliey, the German
Minister at Washington, acknowl edging
receipt OF this advice, and saying it is
to the same effect as the
verbal note the Count had read
to him that morning. The men,
orandum OF instructions from Prince
| Bismarck to the German Minister at
Washington, and read by che latter to
the Secretary OF State, February 4th, is
as follows:
"The present situation in Samoa, re-
garding the interests Of the three treaty
powers, renders it necessary to renew
the attempt to bring the future of those
islands to an understanding. The posi-
ton of the three treaty powers in the
civilized world makes it their duty to stop
the bloody combat, accompanied by the
barbarous customs of those not numerous
tribes for whose welfare, according to
the judgment of the civilized world, it is
the duty of the treaty powers to provide.
Prince Bismarck, in consequence, con-
sders it the duty of the participating
governments to put an end, by the agree
ment of the treaty powers, to the troubles
which have originated in Samoa, by the
restitution CT peace among the Samoans
themselves, and so make an end OF future
bloodshed and the horrors of civil war
conducted with barbarous cruelty among
the natives. The best remedy seems to
be the resumption of the consultation
which took place at Washington in
July, 1887. According to the equal
rights of the treaty powers, it eeems
proper that the place for negotiations
should change in regular turn. l am di-
70 f1f,< ~f L.,
United States to conference regarding
i Samoa to take place at Berlin, and II
similar invitation has been sent to the
declare that any supposition that Ger
many would not feel satisfied with a
neutral position in the Samoan Islands
is unfounded, as we have already decIar-
ed in the last conference that it is our in
tention to put in question neither the
independence of the island group nor the
equal rights of the treaty powers.
We simply desire to create i
condition which offers permanent
security for bringing to an end
bloodshed and decapita ion and
which grants permanent safety to the
commercial interests of the three treaty
powers in Samoa"
y On February 9th the Secretary of State
sent a communication to Count Arco-
valley, stating that the President fully
shares in the desire expressed by the
Prince Chancellor to bring the blessings
of peace and order 10 the remote and
feeble community Of semi-civlized peo-
pie inhabitating the islands of Samoa, and
clearly recognizes the duty of the power
full nations OF Christendom to deal with
these people in a spirit of magnanimity
and benevolence. "On behalf of the
United States Government" continues
the Secretary, "the President instructs
me to express his acceptance OF the
proposal OF the Government of Germany
to resume the consultation suspended on
the 26th OF July, 1887, such consultation
to be renewed, as it was undertaken, for
the purpose of establishing police and
an orderly, stable government on the
Samoan Islands, on the basis of their
recognized independence, and the equal
rights of the three treaty powers. The
sooner this conference can be resumed
the better.
"And in view of the late deplorable
scenes of bloodshed which have been
exhibited on Samoan soil, entailinp
deeply regrettable loss to Germany, it
appears essential that a truce should
be forthwith proclaimed, and that
further armed action should be
arrested. AS the assurance of
Prince Bismarck is that the pecifica-
ton of the Samoan group and the occu-
patton of a neutral position are his only
objects, it is suggested in furtherance of
the desired result of the conference, that
instructions to suspend belligerent action,
and to await the action of such confer
ence, should at once be telegraphed
to the respective officers in
Samoa by the treaty-making powers,
To continue to prosecute war Of destruc.
tion and reprisai, even upon admitted
provocation, would surely not consist
with the objects of any of the three pow
ers. 1t is hoped therefore, that orders of
the nature indicated will be forwarded to
Samoa without delay. The announce
ment of a conference between the treaty
powers, it is confidently expected will, at
once GAUGE a cessation of hostilities
among the natives and their speedy elec-
ton Of a king, would certainly be long
step towards harmony. Except az
Il . conditions may be changed by the
election of King by the natives, it is
deemed essential that affairs in Samoa
should remain in statu quo pending the
conference. In induleing the hope which
the adoption of this suggestion promises
for the successful issue OF the conference.
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