New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-01
A Wall FROM SECRETARY BAYARD

HIS POLICY HAS BEEN FIXED AND STEADY
HE SAYS, IN THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.
Washington, Jsn. sl.-Secretary Bsyard was
this evening shown the dispatch from Auckland
stating that Germany had given notice that all
vessels arriving at Samoa will be searched for con-
traband goods lie said tho Department had to-
day received q dispatch from Consul Blacklock
stating that war had been declared against Mataafs
and that martial law had been proclaimed bg the
German Consul ut Apia. lie did not know whether
the state OF martial law referred 10 included all OF
Samoa or only Apia
Reference was made to the criticisms Of the Dc
partment of State, and the Secretary said:
Il would like the gentlemen who have been
criticising everything done by the State Depart
ment to show one instance in which l have b.oken
the law or permitted IL to be violated. do not
know OF such an instance There has been a
great deal Of Misrepresentation, and in time my
couutrymeu win see that the State Department has
done everything that could be done.
q see' continued the Secretary, that MIR.
sherman stated in the Senate that no Amer
lean had been injured in Samoa. That is so, and
| have yet TO learn that any American has been
injured or. any Of their rights as defined by law
and treaty tnlSen away. Our policy has been
fixed and steady in the direction of the preserva-
ton Of American rights. The German Govern
ment has constantly given assurances that Ger
many would not violate any American rights,
and Prince Bismarck in his last letter TO Count
Arco Valley rencws his assurances that Germany
will scrupnlously respect these rights.
" The DepartmcntH said the Secretary, can
not stop the fighting In Samoa We cannot pre-
vent riyul commercial companies quarre ling and
fighting Ii is not for us 70 Try ahd give every
country stable government
Secretary Bayard said that he had not yet re
ceived the propogiton which. Count Aroo Valley
had informed him Prince bismarck had sent for
a conference between Germany and the United
States In regard 10 Samoa. lie could not there
fore. say whether or not IL was for an entirely
new negotiation or for renewal of the confer
enee suspended about year ago, at which, the
Secretary said, he had endeav3red to bring about
an understanding between Germany and the
limited States TO better The condition of the un-
happy natives.
he Cabinet meeting to-day was attended bY
all the members except Secretary Whitney, who
~ ant of the city. It Is understood that the
samoan question wns the principal tonic of
consiJeration but il is impossible to obtain any
nositive Information on that point. 1t Is said
Thar the President will send another message
10 Congress In a few days. containing the latest
Official information on the situation.
This WIS the regular day OF meeung OF the
House ForeiRn, Affairs Committee, which has tho
samoan question before It. but no quorum appear
ina before the hour OF meeting OF tne house,
nnthing was done The committee to which
The Samoan affair has been reierred mas Decn
increased from three TO i've mempeirs' anu anu now
Consists of Messrs. McCreary, Russell OniPnah'
Morrou and Hftt.