Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-09
SAMOAN CONFEREES.
Pen Pictures of the English, German
and American Commissioners.
PRESIDENT HERBERT BISMARCK
Said to be Worthy Son Of His ShreWd
and Autocratic Sire.
THIS COUNTRY WE'LL REPRESENTED

| bne w lluelmSLFdSse, the uOSL dFlsIOcIdLl
street in Berlin, stands plain old-fashioneC
two-story building. 1t looks very shabby
from the outside, nor does it present NOR,
attractive appearance within. The only
beauty it possess lies in its vast garden con
tanning 100 -year-old trees, very park in tn
center of Berlin. This garden extend
for several hundred yards back to th,
Koniggratzerstrasse, and here Bismarck il
in the habit of taking his constitt2 Iona
walks, screened from the eyes of the curiou!
public. Here also Emperor William usu
ally halts for quiet stroll before starting,or
his long rides through the Grunewald.
But the long, low building lying in from
| of this miniature paradise does not partakt
of its beauty, nor does its homely, weather
stained exterior lead the stranger to suppose
that here center the wires which control the
destiny of Europe to-day. But so it is, fol
| this shabby house contains the German
Foreign Office. Here are the plans laid and
the intrigues initiated which keep Ger.
many at the head of European diplomacy
and power.
Entering the rickety doorway, passing up
a few steps and through gloomy hall, with
whitewashed walls and carpeted with cheap
mating, one ascends an old, worn stairway
to the second story. Old and worn every
thing appears in the building. But it has
none of the romance which fingers about
| somce anient houses. The impression one
receives from it is rather that of a shabby
| genteel tenement house, like those seen in
the lower part of New York.
WHERE THE COMMISSION SITS.
In the second story, facing the park, is
located the room in which the Samoan Con-
| ference holds its sessions. 1t is about 80
feet in length by about 20 feet in width. 1t
is fitted up with the same Spartan simplicity
not to use stronger word-as the rest of
the building. The floor is innocent of
| carpets-a bare pine foor-the walls are
painted dirty white, a picture of the
Kaiser is the only ornament. Around the
walls maps of the Samoan Islands are hung.
In the center stands plain table covered
with green baize; on the table lie nine black
leather portfolios. Around it are grouped a
dozen cheap armchairs, upholstered with
tawdry red plush. At the head of the table
sits Count Herbert Bismarck, at the foot the
two secretaries, on either side are ranged the
commissioners.
Such is the room in which the destinies Of
Samoa will be decided and the questions at
issue between America and Germany are
being discussed. 1t is not very attractive
spot. Has it been chosen for its very dis
comfort in order to drive the commissioners
to quicker decision, on the same principle
by which juries are locked up in dark,
dreary rooms? Who knows? Bismarck is
shrewd and may make use of even trifes.
AS for the men who compose the con-
ference, do they present a more attractive
picture than their surroundings? Let US
see.
Count Herbert Bismarck, who acts as
President of the conference, has been so
frequently described that it is not worth
while to reiterate the many things said
about him. In appearance he much resem-
bles his father, when the latter was in his
prime. He has the manner and the tricks
OF speech that distinguished the great uni
fer of Germany. As to his mental quail
ties opinions differ widely. While some
proclaim him the great statesman of the
future, a worthy successor of his distin-
guished sire, others say that he possesses no
originality of thought or action, that he
only repeats the lessons drilled into him BY
the Chancellor. The truth probably lies
somewhere between the two versions.
While not as brilliant as his father, Count
Herbert certainly bears in his countenance
unmistakable traces of energy, resolute will
and intelligence,
BRAIN AND TONGUE.
Next in Importance comes Privy Coun-
cillor of Legation. DIR. A. Krauel. He has
the appearance of bureaucrat and a schol-
ar. He is simple in his language and pos
sesses but little rhetorical ability. The
press reporters in the Reichstag scarcely
ever pay attention to his speeches, so unin-
teresting is his delivery. 1t is only when
he has finished and his opponent replies,
that they discover from the quality of the
latter's speech, that DIR. Krauel has said
something important. Then they hurriedly
get copies of his speech from the official
reports. He is of medium height, dark
complexioned. with his thoughtful face
framed by full growth of black hair. No
body would take this meek, plain-looking
man to be the important factor that he really
is in the Foreign Office. But his thorough
knowledge of colonial affairs and interna-
tional law are invaluable TO the Chancellor.
Only when one meets the sharp gleam of his
intelligent ewes does one fully realize the
mental power that lies behind. On his
shoulders rests much of the real work on
the German side of the conference. But
whatever glory is to be earned will 90 of
course to Count Herbert Bismarck. Such is
the unVarying custom of the Foreign Office.
Woe to him who aspires to beknown beyond
its walls. His official head will fall forth
with. ..
1t DR.. Krauel is the brain, Privy Coun-
cillor Baron Holstein is the tongue of the
al nj far
marck permits. He is the beau ideal Of
man of the world and also a great sports
man. He had much rather talk of the hunt
than of diplomacy. Like Krauel, he is in
the prime of life, dresses we'll and has fine
manners. His voice is melodious and pleas
ing, but his delivery is monotonous and one
quickly tires of hearing him speak. His
eyes have a kindly, tender expression.
temperament. His knowledge is not pro-
found, but he gets beforehand from Krauel
whatever facts are necessary. He is COM
bative when he tells his little tale in the |
Reichstag; and when Richter and hamburg,
the Liberal leaders, attack him his face fires |
up with the desire for battle, but he keeps |
discreet silence. Prince Bismarck has his |
we'll in hand and will not al
low them to take his role in the debates.
Holstein says during the conference
only what has been carefully told him be-
forehand by his master.
THE BRITISH REPRESENTATIVES,.
Of the British delegates, Sir Edward
Malet, British Ambassador to the Court of
Berlin, is the most important. He is a
quiet, self-contained gentleman. At first |
sight he appears rather stiff in his manners,
but on nearer acquaintance one finds him |
most charming gentleman. He is shrewd
observer and fine scholar. 1t is said that |
his official reports resemble the writings of |
Bacon in their brilliancy. He speaks Ger
man fuently, having been educated at
Frankfort. He has rather thin voice, which,
in moments Of excitement. however, becomes