The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-22
STRUCK A SNAG.
indications That the Samoan Com
missioners at Berlin are in
Rough Water.
The Americans Insist that Malietoa
Shall be Made King. But Bis
marck Objects.
Serious Trouble Threatened Between
French and English Fi.hermen on
the Newfoundland Coast.

copyrighted, lsse, buthe ". y. associated Pres.
BERLIN, May 2I.-From certain indica-
tiOns at the rooms of the American dele
gates, as well as at the quarters of the Eng
lish commissioners and at the German for
eign Office, II is evident that there is some
serious hitch in the negotiations of the Sa-
moan commission. Mr.. Phelps, who is
know as "the peaceMaker," both in the
conference and in the working committee.
is in evident trouble. First he is INTERVENING
an English commissioner in his own rooms,
then he is huTrying off To the foreign
Office. where he remains for some tine
closeted with the German representatives
and then repeating the process When
asked as 10 the situation, Commissioners
Phelps, Kssson and Bates say there is no
great change and everything Is progressing
satisfactory. Both the German and Eng
lish commissioners refuse To talk on the
subject. but IL II learned from other sources
that the United States government in
strueted the commissioners to insist upon
the return of Malletoa as king. A message
Is said 10 have been received
from Secretary Blaine within the past
thirty-six hours directing the commission
ers 10 insist upon the restoration of the
status quo, saying Germany deposed Mali
etoa, aud must return him as king. They
may haggie about indemnity, or on the
question of a dual Or III partite govern menf,
While the Germans have come 10
agree with all the other views of
the American commissioners, they are re-
luctanJ to accept this condition and pOintI 10
the fact that Mslietoa was pardoned by q .
German Emperor at the beginning of u o
conference. This they claim should satisfy
Amer ca. IL is thought the crisis will De
reached at the meeting of the C, inference
10 day. The American commissioners last
night were quiet and conciliatory in their
utterances concerning the situation. but
expressed a determination to remain firm.
A special correspondent of the Asso-
eIated Press here was informed this even
ing that Germany has finally consented TO
restore King MaliOtOa. This action was
taken finally after prolonged and per-
sistent efforts on the part of the American
commissioners; but now comes another
hitch in the negotiations. This fresh diff
Guilty grows out of the claim for indemnity
made by Germany. The American section
of the conference holds tnat il any in
demnity is paid it must be merely nom
inal sum. Germany, on the contrary,
maintains that in the conflicts between the
German forces and SamOans, the latter
were invariably the aggress0rs.
Besides, the native partizans of
King Maliotoa were guilty OF
barborous practices, beheading sailors, as
well as infilcting upon the wounded par
ticular cruelties. These acts Germany in
sists should entail upon Samoa the pay
ment of the special indemnity. Earnest
cuoIbc aAc " SttlAC
the dispute.
WASHINGTON, May 21.-As far as can
be learned the department of state has not
been officially advised of the reported hiteh
in the Samoan conference. Prominent Of
fcials of the department when approached
to-day fatty declined to say anything
about the matter, as in their view dis
cussion Uf the subject under negotiation
would violate the diplomatic proprieties.
Doubt. the United States representa-
tives have broached the subject of the res
toratls1i 90 Maiietoa, As their instructions
were ~. onnably cOlored by the debates in
the lest congress, but just how far they are
instructed TO persist in their contention
cannot be learned.
LONDON, May 2l.-The Posts Berlin
correspondent says the Samoa protocol in
its final form will contain two chief points.
The first of these relates to the government
of Samoa, which will be arranged on a tri-
partite basis, England being accorded a
position corresponding in a certain sense
TO that of arbitrator. The second deals
with the appointment OF a land commits
sion. England is to have large influence
in the selection of the supreme judicial
functionary.