Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-09
Put Very PertinentIy
A Few Suggestions from Bay.
ard to Bismarck,
LATE CORRESPONDENCE ON SAMOA

The Secretary Takes the Chancellor Up in
Way That He VIII Probably Despise-
Proceedings at the 1887 Conference Made
Public-Des Moines River Settlers Given
Another Chsnce-Several Bills Passed by
Congress-Oficial Notes.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb 9-The president
yesterday transmitted to congress the recent
correspondence between Germany and the
United States in relation to renewal of the
conference about Samoa, and the six protocols
of the conference of 1887 The matter Is not
very interesting reading. being full of diplo-
matte elaboration and repetition The most
important expression in Bsmarck's instruc-
tions TO Count Arco is the following in the
letter proposing renewal OF the conference
Z" "Any supposition that Germany
would not feel satisfied with a neutral posi-
ton in the Samoan islands is unfounded. As
we have already declared in the last confer
ence (of 1851, it is neither our intention to
put In question the independence of the island
group nor the equal rights OF the treaty pow
ers."
The suggestion that the conference I've re-
newed in Berlin is made because, says Bis
marck: "The last conference took place in
Washington" and according tn the equal
rights of the treaty powers, it seems proper
that the place for the negotiations should
change in regular turn"
Bayard answers Bismarcks reference to
Germany's disinterestedneSs by the sugges-
ton that ain view of the late deplorable
scenes of bloodshed which have been exhibited
upon Samoan soil, entailing deep, regrettable
loss to Germany, it appears to be essential
that truce should be forthwith proclaimed
and further armed action should he arrested.
As the assurance of Prince Bis
marck, that the pacification of the
Samoan group and the occupation of
neutral position are his only objects, is as
frankly accepted by the United States, as it
is rendered by Germany, it is suggested, in
furtherance of the desired result of the con-
ference, that instructions to suspend belliger-
ent action and await the action of such con
ference, should at once be telegraphed to their
respective officers in Samoa by the three
treaty powers. To continue to prosecute a
war of destruction and reprisal, even upon
admitted provocation, would surely not cot
sist with the objects of any of the three
powers 1t is hoped, therefore, that orders of
the nature indicated will be forwarded to
Samoa without delay
Bayard fuyther suggests that the election
Of king by the free action of the Samoan
people would be good idea and the only
good idea pending the action of the confer
ence.
Bismarck complains of the actions of Con-
sui Blackjack and Capt Leary, of the u s. s.
"Nipsic," and Bayard says the complaints are
based only OH hearsay, but will he brought
to the attention of the officers implicated and
their answer communicated to the German
minister.
As to the conferences in July, 1887, the
protocols show that Bayard favored the gov
eminent Of Samoa by the Samoans, foreign
consuls to retain criminal jurisdiction over
their own countrymen; Germany wanted
act las mandatory of the pow
ers," while the British minister
West, proposed land court Bayard
said he understood it to be agreed that there
was to be no annexation, and that each of the
powers was to have equal rights of commerce
This being agreed, the discussion proceeded at
great length, but the pith Of it all was that
Germany wanted control of the islands as the
power having the greatest present commercial
interest, and it was this desire that prevented
an agreement, as Bayard fatty stated that
the United States would not agree to that
proposition.
This determination of Germany was en-
phasized at the meeting of the conference on
July %, when the German minister declared
that he could not allow the adoption of plan
which would at any time throw the control
Of the islands into the hands of either of the
two countries whose interests were less than
those of Germany
Bayard said that the proposed land COM
mission was the cornerstone of the arrange
ment, but in the plan proposed by Germany,
the preponderance of interests were to be
made the beginning and the middle and the
end of the whole thing.
West said that he could not see it in that
way.
At the conference on July 26, the German
minister read q paper in which he defined
the meaning OF the memorandum read at the
second conference to he that Germany, hav-
ing the largest interest in Samoa, she claims
to be entrusted by the other two powers to
exercise the efficient control there as well
for her own interests as for those of Great
Britain and the United States
Bayard asserted that the plan of the Ger
man minister was foreign autocratic gov
eminent based on mercantile interests, and
then proposed an adjournment until the au-
tumn, in order to give the governments of
Germany and Great Britain time to consider
the protocols