The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-16
WHAT WILL BE DONE
In Regard to the Samoan Affair
By the Commission Appointed to
Confer With Germany
The Conference Is To Be Held at
Berlin Early in May.
A Synopsis Of the Instructions
Given Our Representatives.
Secretary of State Blaine Adheres to
Bayard's Policy in the Main-The
Autonomy OF the islands
Must Be Preserved.

Phelps, ex-Minister Kasson and George III.
Bates the United States delegates TO the Sa-
moan Conference, accompanied by Lieut.
Parker, ACKNOWLEDGMENT Harold NJ. Sewall
and Messenger John Butler, left for Berlin
by the Umbria Saturday morning Two
hours before their departure a special mes
senger from the State Department handed TO
Mr.. Phelps large envelope bearing several
great red seals. The messenger had gone
from Washington by the night express. and
the envelope he carried contained the official
instructions TO the Samoan Commissioners
Previous TO the departure OF the Commits
soners for New York several conferences
with Secretary Blaine were held at the State
department, but the final instructions were
the subject of protrncted and exhaustive
discussion at the Cabieet meeting on Friday.
After an agreement was reached they were
redrafted and intrusted 10 special messen-
ger for delivery. These instructions will be
guarded with great care by the commission
ers to prevent their publication. but your
correspondent has secured an accurate alb.
stract showing the powers and limitations
prescribed for the guidance Of the gentlemen
coming conference.
II is striking and noteworthy fact that
in drawing the Instructions 10 the commits.
sioners the ideas and general policy Of Secrc-
tary Iayard have been closely adhered TO by
Secretary Blaine. Indeed, there is not an
item Of consequence embraced IN the in
structions which has not been emphasized
by Mr.. Bayard In the course Of his several
statements OF the position of the United
la lfi 1ta
missioncrs are instructed 10 insist upon the
absolute autonomy OF the native govern.
ment IN the Samoan Islands. This Is the
most important point 10 be considered, aud
its Observance is made a sine qua non uf
agreement 10 be arrived at Though the
note Of Prince Bismarck, extending the
invitation, stated that amy supposition that
Germany would not feel satisfied with
neutral position In the Samoan Islands was
unioundcd," yet In the last conference Mr..
Alvcnslebcn, the German minister, Insisted
that the treaty power having largest COM
mcrcial interests should not be excluded
from efficient control Of the Samoan govern
mcnt Mr. Bayard was moved 10 remark
that the German minister's proposition
meant an ahsolutism. He inquired II the
'vicrnan minister would agrcc 20 strike out
Germany and insert England or the United
States. Mr. AlyCnslebcn would not consent
Mr. Bayard remarked that IN the German
plan "thc prcpondeating interest was the
beginning. the middle aud the end VI the
whole scheme.
Secretary Bnino takes bis cue from Mr.
Bayard aud makes OF paramount importance
the same consideration that Mr.. Bayard re-
gnrdcd as oycrshadowing all Others. In
arguing for the absolute autonomy 81 the
islands, the commissioner, are directed 20
emphasize the fact that no prcpondenncc of
commercial interests should " Ugh 10 the ex-
tent Of wnrraning any assignment Of author.
It's or influence with the native government
to any representative II u treaty power.
The commissioners are further instructed
MOTIF admit under any circumstances, tn
assumption ~ arrogintly made by Prince
bismarck that the representatives Of the
United States In Samoa have been Nv any
way responsible for the dcp.orable condition
OF affair there. In a letter 10 Secretary
Bayard, Prince Bismarck said on this point
"It Il remarkable that on that remote realm
Of islands, where neither America nor Ger
many has any political interest 10 defend
We are exposed 10 the continued III will Of n
series Of American representatives. Should
my superstition be right, that those diiiicul-
ties have their origin In the personal dispo-
sitiOn OF the American representatives In
Apa and not IN their instructions, ] am
convinced that the American Government
will cause the necessary redress TO take
place."
This assumption Of Prince Bismarck the
commissioners are directed 90 contruycrt
with emphasis aud 10 make Il absolutely
plain without ambiguity Of language that
they will not for one moment entertain the
idea Of H. responsibility for damages alleged
ito have been suffered by German subjects or
> by the imperial German government owing
10 the state of war prevailing ~ Samoa.
While IL cannot Of course. be known OK
nctly what position will be taken by the
German commissioners upon the point yet
Il is believed at the State Department that
the German government will endcayor 20
hold the United States responsible for the
conduct with which Mr. John g. Klein has
been charged IN connection with the battle
OF Fagnlf. December IS, In which twenty
three Gcrmnn sailors were killed by the ma.
tiyc4 IL Il thought that the charges against
Mr.. Klein will be urgently pressed by the
German commissioner the responsibility Of
the United states being based upon the gen.
crnl principle Of International law that a
country may be- held to account for The acts
OF IL citizens when directed against another
nation with which IL u NJ peace. This charge
h one which the commissioner have been
specially directed TO resist They will hold
sircnuously that Mr. Klein was present Ia
Samoa solely IN private capacity, and fur
thcr, that lac did not take any such part vi
the battle Of Fayali a. T. alleged, In support
Of which the aidayits Of Mr. Klein, and
three II Mainnias soldier together Will
Mr. Kcin's testimony recently taken at The
state Department will be introduced. NJ
claims for redress or indemnity upon thu
score will be entertained.
Probably the most delicate question th'
members Of the commission will be calico
upon 10 consider will arise In connection
with the damages which Prince Bismnrcl
has declared the German Government vii
exact Of the Samoans for losses alleged e
have been sustained by German subjects a
the hands Of the natives The policy Of tn
Unitod States. however will be made olcarl'
Rpparcnt While the commissioners vii
not be prepared 10 resist IN toto the demand
that Gcrmeny may make upon the samoans
yet an emphatic protest will be entcfcI
aeninst g. attempt upon the part Of Ger
many totsty such an indemnity upon III
impoverished natives ~ shall In effect Civ
the imperial Government q practical inorl
gngo upon the Islands, thus enabling III
Germans 10 accomplish by this means tha
which they have thus faf failed 10 10.
The subject Of the formation OF a natiy
ooyernmcnt for the Samoan Islands WI
canyasscd at some length before the con
miu.oners loft Washington. Their instru'
lions On uiis point do not bind tLeni ~ u