The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1889-02-08
THERE IS NO CAUSE foa PROTEST.

Hosc Secretary BSvard YIssrs the Sanssan
Difficulties.
Baltimore special: The Suns Wash
ington correspondent last evening 20
cured a long Interview with Secretary
Bayard on the Samoan question. Bay.
ard says the question for Americans "a
consider is whether the United States
shall continue to maintain neutrality %
between Matsafa aud the Germans, or
assume the role of belligerents toward
Germany in behalf Of one Of tho two
claimants TO the throne. Thus fnr Ger
many has given this country absolutely
no cause for war. The flag which was
burned in Samoa was not hoisted in as
sertion of American rights. There Is
no analogy between the cases OF Samoa
and Hayti. Hayti had distinctly vio-
lated treaty obligations with Us. Re-
garding the statement that the admins
tration had been twitted with hav-
ing no definite policy on the
Samoan question he referred to the
presidents message to congress and the
accompanying documents, which he say
shows that the administration long ago
defended its policy with reference to the
Samoan islands, and has constantly ad-
hered to it ever since. That policy was
one of friendly interest in Samoa, with
neutrality. Germany and Great Britain
both assented to thispolicy, and the acts
of Germany inconsistent with the pro-
LESSONS have grown ont of petty politi-
cal intrigues among the native chiefs
and the rivalry of foreigners for infiu-
ence and commercial supremacy. With
regard to the failure of this government
to protest vigorously against Germany's
treatment of the Samoan king, Mr..
Bayard states that he has no authority
for such n course. He did what the
treaty with Samoa obligated this coun-
try to do. He used the good Offices OF
this country again and again, but with
out result.
Bayard states that from the very be-
ginning of the Samoan troubles Ger
many has professed the utmost friendli-
ness to the United States and regard for
American interests on the island. Only
yesterday he received a communication
from the German minister expressing q
sincere desire to reach q settlement sat
isfactory to this country. The whole
trouble, in Mr.. Bayard's opinion, is due
to the course of the German trading
companies, which have large interests
in the islands. They have striyen to
commit their government to the en-
dorsement of acts intended to promote
their interests, and practically to secure
to them control of affairs. Mr.. Bayard
did not think Germany would offend the
United States if 1t could be avoided.
New York special: General Edward
McCook, at n time minister to the
Hawaiian islands, and the diplomat who
negotiated the reciprocity treaty with
that country, wa seen by q correspond
ent last night, and asked for his views
on Samoan matters. McCook said:
"Bayard evidently does not appreciate
the fact that any power, even n second
class naval power, holding the Hawaiian
or Samoan islands, would dominate the
commerce of the North Pacific. If you
will look at the map you will see that
these two groups of islands are the only
two coaling stations we can have be-
tween San Francisco and China,
or San Francisco and Australia. They
are the only ports where our merchant
men could look for assistance and sup
plies in distress, and the only places
where our wa vessels could coal and re-
fit in the event of a war with any for
eign power. No power except England
and the United States has any business
to establish itself in that Western Paci-
fc. Such a thing would make a practi-
cal barrier between the United States
and Australia in the event of war. No
power has any right there except the
Hnitad States and ENGLAND