No. 275.
Mr. White
to Mr. Evarts.
Berlin, May 10, 1880. (Received May 26.)
Sir: In confirmation of the opinion expressed in my dispatch No. 118, regarding the real cause of the defeat of the Samoan bill in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag), I would say that the Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, well known as the semi-offical organ of the prince chancellor, has already published two or three articles from newspapers in various parts of Germany condemning the course of the Reichstag, especially on the ground that with the defeat of the same measure the chance of a colonial development of the German Empire is indefinitely postponed. A leading article also appeared two days since in the semi-official paper above mentioned regarding the emigration to foreign countries, especially to America, giving a careful study of the real number thus emigrating, and winding up with the reminder to its readers and to the country of the vast advantage it would be to Germany if this emigration could be directed to some colony under the German flag rather than to countries entirely foreign.
But perhaps the most striking proof of the correctness of the view I have given is to be found in the reply of Dr. Windhorst to the very remarkable speech—the only speech, in fact, during the session—made by [Page 429] the imperial chancellor on Saturday last. In his speech the chancellor had complained, among other things, in very strong terms of the conduct of certain members regarding the Samoan question, alleging that personal feeling toward himself was at the bottom of the opposition to the measure. To this Dr. Windhorst, the acknowledged leader of the central party, which is composed mainly of the Ultramontane and anti-centralization members, replied that his opposition and the opposition of those who voted with him on the Samoan bill, was entirely due to the dread of beginning a colonial policy. While Germany, he declared, was supporting with such great difficulty the army essential to her existence in Europe, it would be quite impossible to think of developing a colonial system for the support of which a large and powerful navy would be absolutely necessary. Considering the fact that Dr. Windhorst was making an attempt to rally the whole house to his support, and also considering the other indications I have given, it is evident that this opposition to a colonial policy was the cause of the rejection of the Samoan bill. * * *
I think it is certain that any attempt to begin a colonial policy in the Pacific by the German Government, even with the chancellor at its head, will be defeated. It is perfectly clear that the vast majority of the German nation has an unconquerable distrust of it.
I have, &c.,