Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-25
SAMOAN POLICY.

| The American Commissioners Instructed
to Adhere to Bayard's Policy.
WASHINGTON, April 16-A correspond
ent has obtained an abstract of the in
structions from the State Department to
the Samoan Commission, which sailed on
Saturday.
Tn ideas and general policy of Secre.
tary Bayard have been closely adhered to
by Secretary Blaine.
| The Commissioners are instructed to in.
| sist upon the absolute autonomy of the
native Government in the Samoan islands
The Commissioners are further in
| structed not to admit under any circum-
stances, the assumption so arrogantly
| made by Prince Bismarck, that the repre-
| sentatives of the United States in Samoa
have been in any way resp onsible for the
| deplorable condition OF affairs there.
| 1t is believed at the State Department
that the GermanGovernment will endeavor
to hold the . nited States responsible for
| the conduct for which John c. Klein has
been charged in connection with ths
battle of Fagali, December 16, in which
| twenty three German sailors were killed
| by the natives.
The Commissioners will hold strenuously
that Mr.. Klein was present in Samoa
did not take any such part in the battle of
Fagali as is alleged, in support of which
the affidavits of Mr.. Klein and three OF
Mataafa's soldiers, together with Mr..
Klein's testimony recently taken at the
State Department, will be introduced.
Probably the m ost delicate question the
members of the Commission will be called
upon to consider will arise in connection
with the damages which Prince Bismarck
has declared the German Govern
ment will exact of the Samoans for
losses alleged to have been sustained
by German subjects at the hands of
the natives. The policy of the United
States, however, will be made clearly ap-
parent While the Commissioners will not
be prepared to res list in toto the demands
that Germany may make on the Samoans,
yet an emphatic protest will be made
against any attempt on the part of Ger
many to lay such an indemnity upon the
impoverished natives as shall in effect
give the Imperial Government practical
mortgage upon the islands thus enabling
the Germans to accomplish by this means
that which they have thus far failed to do.
On the subject of the formation of a ma.
tive government for the Samoan islands
the Commissioners instructions do not
bind them to the proposition submitted by
Nc. Bayard and upon which the last con-
ference split Secretary Bayard's plan
involved a preponderance of native in
auence- To this the German Minister OBJ |
jected.
Another important feature of the Gov. |
eminent scheme was the land court, |
whose business would be to examine into |
the titles of Samoan estates to settle the |
many disputed claims that foreigners |
are setting up in Samoa The Ger.
man Minister favored the formation |
of a land court, but he would have
placed its mach inery entirely in German !!
hands. The Commits sioners are not spe.
instructed as to the representa-
ton the treaty powers may have in the
local COVER. tnent of the islands but they
are directed to insist that such representa-
lion shall be absolutely equal and impair
lial.
The question of the restoration of the
status quo ante is quite fully located in
the instructions. The Commissioners will
use every effort to bring about an agree
nent embracing this restoration.
No one can predict the length of the
conference. The Commission is amply
provided with funds, the entire appropri-
alton of $500 600 made by Congress to set
lie the Samoan troubles being available
for their expenses.