The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-17
SAMOA'S CHAMPION.
Secretary Baysrd Proves by 01icial
Correspondence That the Samoans
Have a Friend.
DOCUMENTS OF INTEREST
American Naval Officers Ordered 10
Protect American Rights and See
That the Samoans Have
Fair Show.


WASHINGTON, Jan. I6.-Among the cor
respondence concerning affairs In Samoa
referred 10 In President Cleveland's mes
sage transmitted 10 congress yesterday,
and presented 10 the senate to-day, were
the following instructions TO Admiral
Kimberly from Secretary Whitney: sin a
cablegram dated Jan. II, Commander
Mullan. OF the Nepslc, telegraphs by way
OF Auckland, N. H., A force was landed
at Samoa from the German fleet which re-
suited in an engagement between the troops
OF Mataafa and the defeat of the latter. lie
reports the Germans In retaliation bonn
barded towns, disregarding protests and
neutral rights and that the property and
lives of American citizens were In danger,
and strongly urges sending reinforcements.
The German government claims the Ger
man forces were first attacked; that war
now exists between Germany and that
portion Of the natives OF Samoa engaged
In the attack upon the Germans The Ger
man government invites this government
10 join In establishing order In Samoa, Civ
ing assurance OF careful respect for onr
treaty rights.
"rhe United States government Is willing
10 cooperate In restoring order In Samoa
on basis OF the full preservation Of Amer.
lean treaty rights and Samoan autonomy,
as recognized and agreed 10 by Germany,
Great Britain and the United States, and
has so Informed the German government
You will at once proceed 10 Samoa and ex-
tend full protection aud defense 10 Amerl-
can citizens and property. You will con-
suit with the American vice-consul, exam
Inc his archives and otherwise inform
yourself AS 10 the situation and
all recent occurrences, Protest against
the subjugation and displacement OF the
native government Of Samoa by Germany,
AZ a violation OF positive agreement and
understanding between treaty powers, but
inform the representatives OF the German
and British governments Of your readiness
10 cooperate In causing all treaty rights 10
be- respected. and In restoring peace and
order on basis OF the recognition Of Sa-
moa's rights 10 independence; endeav0r 10
prevent extreme measures against the Sa-
moans and bring about a peaceful settle
ment II such arrangement can be made
upon that basis you will report the same
for approval, and you will inform the gov
ernment as soon AS possible after your ar
rival In Samoa OF the condition Of affairs
and the prospect OF peaceful adjustment,
and whether Germany was acting Impair
the late conflict occurred. WHITNEY"
Jan. ~ the secretary addressed n com
munication to Count ArcO, the German
minister, In reply 10 statement giving the
German version OF the Samoan difficulty.
The statement Of Count Arco Is sub.
stantially as follows: "The German
forces landed at Samoa after the German
commander had given notice OF his inten-
ton 10 the commanders OF the American
and British men.of.war, the reason for
lions were In n.danger Upon landing the
Germans were attacked by the Samoans
under the command of Klein, an American
citizen, and lost fifty killed and wounded.
A staio Of war was therefore announced
by Germany and as an American Is alleged
10 have been In command Of the attacking
Samoan forces, Count Arco IL instructed
10 make complaint TO the United States.
The treaty rights Of the United States and
all the ghts Of the treaty powers shall be
respected under all circumstances. The
German government asks them to Join In
an active way TO restore calm and quiet"
la response Secretary Bayard says he at
once communicated 10 Count Arco, on be-
coming aware OF the allegations that the
Samoan forces were led by an American
named Klein, that he had no knowledge
whatever nor reason to believe that Klein
was a citizen OF the United States. 81 was
certain" continues the stcretary's letter.
"that he Is not and never has been In any
way connected with the public service nor
acting under color or pfetense OF Its au-
th0rity. Instructions have been given TO
the officials OF this government at Samoa
and never deviated from those made pub
lie, and which were well known to Ger
many and Great Britain, 10 maintain neu-
trality In Samoan affairs and cOntne their
action to good Offices In the maintenance
OF peace and order In that region and se-
curing protection for American citizens
and their interests" The secretary says
before he received the German Instructions
orders had been given by the president
looking TO the protection OF citizens OF the
United States and their property; that IL
| was with entire readiness he accepted the
| invitation OF Germany that the United
| States "join In an active way 10 restore
calm and quiet In the islands" The sec
retary further says: III received also with
expressed satisfaction your assurance Of
| the intention OF your government 10 main
tain careful respect Of the treaty rights OF
this government under all circumstances,
and this, as stated To you, necessarily In
| cluded respect for the existence OF Samoan
autonomy and Independence, which Is the
basis OF the three treaties made with the
| United States, Germany and Great Britain,
the first named being the first In date.
| Protocols OF the conference on Samoan
/
1857, by representatives OF the United
States, Germany ana Great Britain, VIII
disclose that although the conference did
not produce an agreement as 10 complete
plan OF government for that community,
nevertheless on certain points all three
governments conceded. One Of these
was a free election by the SamoaDs,
according 10 their own will and Gus
tom, OF king. IL would seem
most Opp0rtune II such an election
I could now be held, and feel assured that
| II would do much towards ending the tnr-
bulent and bitter discomfort which led 10
the shocking and fierce warfare anon <
these islanders and finally involved them
in deeply regrettable conflict with the
German forces, sincerely deplored by the
| United States. Rear Admiral Kimberly,
commanding our naval forces In the Pa.
cific, has been ordered 10 proceed In his
flag ship, the Trenton, 10 Apia 1 have
great confidence In his wisdom and benev.
olent discretion, as well as In that Of the
commanders OF the other national vessels
which have been sent by their respective
governments 10 Samoan waters 10 promote
| n aAtisfactOrV RrranRement. and 4 take II