The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-23
And if Anybody Expects Decided Move He Is
Likely to Be Disappointed-What Secre-
tary Bayard Says of the Situation.
BOulanger and His Friends Hardat Work
to Secure a Victory on Sunday.
Hints that Bismarck Has Plenty of Documents
Rejecting on the Dead Emperor-Disturb-
ing Events in Russian Politics.
THE SAMOAN OUTRAGEs.

The Cabinet and Congress Not Likely to
Take Any Decided Action.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Much less has
been said at the Capitol about the Samoan
trouble than was heard among the states
men at the time about the difficulty of the
United States with Hayti. Democratic
Senators and Representatives are slow to
make any comment which will reflect upon
the administration, and Republicans do
not care to pass judgment in advance of
any action by Congress, because the ques-
ton may 60 over to the next administra-
tion. There is, however, some bitter criti-
cism expressed by few Republicans
upon the action of the Department of
State and the lack of ''snap" on the
part of Secretary Bayard. Politically
speaking, the Republicans regard Mr.. Bay
ard as entirely to omild-manEered and short
sighted for the position he occupies, and
they believe the standing of the United
States abroad has degenerated during the
past four years. So far as anything being
done is concerned by either the present ad-
ministration or Congress which will be sem
sational in regard to the trouble at Samoa,
no one well-informed has any serious APP
prehension. In diplomatic circles, and es-
pecially among the people at the German
legation, it is believed that the reports of a
violent attitude toward this government
have been cOlored, although Americans
think enough has been done to warrant a
sharp demand upon the part of the admin
istration for an immediate explanation of
the situation from the German author
tiles. 1t is limited by those who
know something of what transpired
at the Cabinet meeting this afternoon, that
the President may lay before Congress the
information received, during the next four
days, from the scene of conflict and ask
for instructions, and it is believed that il
he should do this he will talk about war, as
he did when he once before sent to Congress
for further instructions respecting our rela-
tions with Canada in the matter of retalia-
tiOn. Senator Frye and others well versed
in international affairs are made to smile
when they talk about the situation and
the probability that the President will go
to Congress for instructions and they OBJ
serve, with some sarcasm. that the Presi-
dent talks more war to Congress than he
does to foreign nations and those who are
prone to spit in Americans faces. Around
Congress it is believed that if war should
arise between the United States and Ger
many, England would join with US in
checking any German aggression, mas
mucha as the relations between Germany and
England are now more or less strained, and
the anti-English feeling in Germany is very
pronounced. The Navy Department is anx-
iOus for an affray with almost any body,
and while the officers there are glad to talk
about the outlook as serious" those high
in command have nothing to say on the
subject which is either new or interesting
to the public.
The dispatches from London and Berlin
in regard to Samoan affairs published in
this mornings newspapers were shown to
Secretary Bayard at the State Department,
some expression of opinion from him on the
subject. His attention was specially in
vited to the statement that Germany
had come to definite understanding with
in response he said: "Of course, expect
| Germany to live up to her honorable agree
| ments with the United States. have no
| right to think otherwise. But you must
| know that these are matters / do not care
| to discuss in the newspapers"
When asked in regard to the policy of
| this government. he referred the question to
| the Presidents message to Congress of the
| 18th inst, and quoted from his letter to the
German minister. dated the 18th inst, and
which was recently published, as express
i've of his own views upon the subject.
The Secretary. also alluded to the agree
ment entered into between Great Britain
and Germany in April, 1886. defining the
| boundaries of English and German dOmin-
ions in the West Pacific ocean, in which
it is specifically declared that the Samoan
| islands are neutral territory. The United
States, he explained, has no joint treaty
with either England or Germany in regard
to the neutrality of Samoa. Therefore, if
Germany has interfered with the neutral
| ity of that country she has not broken a
| treaty with tho United States, but has
broken one with Great Britain.