Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-09
SAMOA COMPLICATIONS
A Proposal to Constitute a Court to
Settle the Matter.
Ever ything Harmonic Us Con-
ference to Adjourn in Jun
The Attorney General Will Soon In,
yestigate Oklahoma Outrages.

BERLIN, May 4.-Ehe committee of the
Samoan conference has prepared the
draft of q proposal to constitute a court
to decided questions of land tenure
in Samoa. The court is to consist of one
representative of each OF the interested
powers and two Samoese. The com Iii
cations connected with the existing ten
ures threatens to impede progress until
the committee regulates the settlement
of these questions to the proposed court.
Sewall and Brandies have been present
daily at the sittings. Sewan proved the
untenable character of a number of Ger
mand land claims, and further
showed that the extent of
lands claimed by foreigners as
bought or ceded was in excess of the
area of the islands. Brandeis gave evil
dence on the validity of the German land
titles, and said he desired to ba heard On
the losses of the German planters. The
committee declined to consider such
losses as involving the question ofindem-
nifty. The Englifk and American dele
gates express their satisfaction at the
progress already made, and all sides are
hopeful that the convention will be con-
cludei in June. The attitude of the
English delegates Will assist in the soiu-
ton of The question. Before the confer
ence it was suspected that
the entente between Berlin and
London would tend to throw the
balance against the American policy, but
later velopments warrant the belief
that EaglIsh delegates have
been instructed to join with the Ameri-
can representatives in opposing German
pretentiOns to special rights.
The report that Sawall, Parker, and
Buckingham are not recognized officitlly
and are socially ignored is untrue. On
the contrary, they are well received every
where.
The banquet to be given by the Ameri-
can commissioners Wednesday will be a
brilliant affair. There will be present
besides all members Of the conference,
the full diplomatic corps of all countries
having representatives at Berlin.
The report of DR.. Knappe, ex German
consul at Apia was issued today. It is a
lame defense of his own conduct. Ia it
DR.. Kuappe charges the adherents of
Mataaf with raiding German planters,
and describes his efforts to induce the
insurgents to abanuon their positions
which encroached upon the plantations.
He says that the disorders in Samoa were
partly due TO American Indictment. The
general tenor of the report and its publ
cation at the present ;uncture, suggest q
latent intention Oh the part of Bismarck
TO persist in his indemnity demands.
The appendix to the report gives the
American consuPs edict, prohibiting the
supplying of spirits to sailors.
The arrest in Switzerland and expulsion
from stat country Of Police Inspector
Wohlgemuth has suddenly assumed a Sc.
rious international aspect. The emperor
presided at ministerial council held
Thursday, at which it was decided to de-
c1ded to demand an explanation of the
affair from the Swiss government.
The North German Gazette declares
that Wohlgemuth went to Canton of
Aargou IN legal prosecution of his duties
as police inspector of Mulhous. and was
arrested at the Instance of a socialist
who was known to be an agent provoca-
teur against the German police.
The Gazette significantly adds: Coun-
tries bordering on Switzerland must pro-
tect themselves against the revolutionary
efforts which the Swiss officials both toll
crate and promote.
Today's S.. Petersburg Svet says: The
recent bomb discovery at Zurich demon
strates the necessity for foreign states no
longer permitting Switzerland to harbor
and protect mur6erers.