Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-08
CONSUL sEwALL's VIEWS.
He Talks Plainly Regarding His Treat
ment By 9fr. Bayard.


ment by sfr. Bayard.
Mr.. Sewall, consul-general TO Samoa, attrib-
utes Secretary Bayard's request for his resig-
nation to the testimony he gave before the
Senate foreign relations committee. Mr. Sew
all says: mo disapproval OF my conduct in
Samoa as consul-general has ever been ex-
pressed by the State department 80 far as
know, and indeed it viii appear from the conn.,
munication sent to Congress in regard to the
situation of affairs in Samoa that the depart
ment wrote me commencing my course in the
trying and delicate position, as il was styled.
in which was placed during the deposition Of
Malietoa at the time of the conference of the
powers" Mr.. Sewall said he was under oath
when testifying before the Senate committee
and had to tell all he knew. The views / ex-
pressed on the situation and the remedy nee
essary were given at the request of the COM
rfittee. 1t was not for me to consider whether
those views agreed with Mr.. BayarSa's or not.
do know, however, that my views COIN
eide with those of all Americans who have
given the matter any thought, the State
department excepted, for which l cannot
speak"
"what are those views. Mr.. Sewall?"
Il believe" said Mr.. Sewall, that the depo-
sition of Malietoa YVES determined upon before
the conference of the three powers began. and
tnat 1t was the German intention TO carry out
the policy it had decided upon regardless of
that conference. The purpose of Germany is
to secure control of. Samoa in defiance Of the
solemn and repeated assurances it has given to
our government. Furthermore, believe that
Lord Salisbury is party to this scheme and
that the movement against Samoa is only the
precursor of an Ang1o-German attempt to Sc
cure supremacy in the Hawaiian Islands"
What, in your opinion. Mr.. Sewall, will be
the effect of the dispatch of American ships Of
war to protect our interests in Samoan"
Il concur with Mr.. Bates, our late commits
sioner to Samoa, in his published opinion that
Admiral Kimberly can accomplish nothing
under his instructions from the State depart
ment. Mr.. Bayard expects Admiral Kimberly
to succeed in doing by protest what he has
been trying without success to do for year.
protest! Does Mr.. Bayard suppose protest
VIII turn Germany from the course she has
been steadily pursuing? Commanders Leary
and Aiulien have protested, and their protests
have been received with contempt, and does
any one expect Admiral Kimberly will be
treated better?'
"What do you believe should be done?"
Il believe with Secretary Whitney that a
definite policy should be adopted in Samoa.
To send our ships there with only their pres
ent instructions is simply to subject their
officers and men to humiliation, or as Secre-
tary Whitney using polite term. out of re-
ing condition. from which their self-respect
makes them revolt. But Secretary Bayerd
cannot punish Secretary Whitney or Mr.. Bates.
am the weakest, and am therefore singled
out for sacrifice"
Continuing, Mr.. Sewall said that the recent
news from Samoa. which he'd SO aroused the
country, was only repetition Of what had hap
pened before. Way, SAID ne, "a great sur
has been made by the announcement that
martial law has been declared by Germany in
Apia. but this is not the first time the German
consul has declared the martial law in force
German sentries-even before the Americans
had been deprived of their right to joint
voice IN the government of the town-had been
commanded to shoot C'Until dead) men not
answering the challenge. and the notice giving
warning of this was posted in German script
only. An American banner had been torn down
by Germans and trampied on. When war was
declared against Malietoa, Apia was occupied
without notice to the Americans. A leading
American merchant standing on his own land.
was knocked down by German sailor, who on
his return to the ship was imprisoned for not
having bayoneted the man. l myself was stop
ped on the highway of Apia, even before war
| had been declared and the officers whose COM
mand had taken possession of that part Of the
| town threatened that would be shot if / pro-
ceeded. German sentries were posted around
my consulate at night. 1t is for testifying to
! these facts, / presume, that my resignation was
asked
Mr.. Sewalrs greatest regret. he said, was tina.
on his arrival at Samoa, following instructions
from the State department, he had dissuaded
Maletoa from Gnnlhilating Tamasese and his
party. which he could have done and was about
TO do at the time. he assured Malietoa that
Germany would respect Samoan autonomy and
that neither Malietoa nor his people would be
allowed TO suffer if they followed American ad-
vice.
WHAT SENATOR SHERMAN SAYS.
- Al
committe on foreign relations, said last night,
according to n. Y. World Washington special,
it was quite apparent that two months ago the
State department did not find any Disqualified
ton in Mr.. Sewall. Secretary Bayards action
was evidently on account of Mr.. Sewall's testi-
mony, "and, said the Senator. lit is mani
festly improper to discipline an officer for any
testimony he might give before Senate COM
! mittee under oath. He was sworn and was
bound to testify"
Senator Frye thought il was small business
for the State department. Mr.. Sewall," he
said, ais good officer and has acted very dis
creetly. When under examination by the CON-
| mittee he gave no testimony except what was
drawn from him by my questions. The Ger
mans will be delighted WITH his enforced resig-
nation. When he was leaving Samoa they told
him he would never go back there as consul
general. and his removal is their triumph
-Four months ago Mr.. Sewall received a letter
from Secretary Bayard complimenting him
very highly FOR his ability and fidelity. and two
months ago. when / tried to have his leave OF
absence extended. the Secretary declined to
comply. on the ground that Mr.. Sewall was so
much needed in Samoa and that it was abso-
lutely necessary that he should start for his
post Immediately. President Cleveland, /
think. is not likely to nominate successor to
Mr.. Sswall. He could hardly expect that the
Senate would confirm the nomination. II I
have any influence with the next admins ira
ton Mr. Seyall will 90 back to Stamina as consuI-