It is stated in the New York Evening Post, a
most moderate journal not given to sensationalism, that Prince Bismarck undoubtedly did recently desire to annex Samoa. Three years ago, he requested a German of great rank, and with un- doubted credentials from him, to inquire of Mr. Bayard whether the American Government would object to such an annexation. He was told in reply that the United States could not consent to the proposal, and immediately returned to Berlin with that answer. The Chancellor is now suspected in Washington of pushing to his end by other means, but the Washington Government may be over- suspicious. It is extremely difficult to us to believe that Germany, almost overweighted as it is with Continental troubles, can seriously care about founding a Colony in the Pacific which can by no possibility have a future. Prince Bismarck may be looking forward to the value of Samoa when once the Panama Canal is cut ; but if so, he is concerning himself about commerce to a quite unusual degree. We prefer to believe that his agents are defending German rights with the violence they are betraying also in Africa, and that Prince Bismarck will no more justify all their actions than he justifies all the actions of the German East African Company.
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