The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-15
SIGNATURES AT BERLIN.
THE AGREEMENT OF THE CONFER
ENCE SIGNED.

The American Commissioners With
drew Theis Objections to Certain of
the -Reticeuce at Wash
ington as to Whether the Paper is a
Treaty or an Agreement.
BERLIN, June 1.-The Samoan confer
ence met at 3 o'clock this afternoon. 1t is
understood that the American commission
ers withdrew their objection to certain pro-
visions of the protocol. The agreement
negotiated by the commissioners for the
settlement of affairs in Samoa was signed
by all the members of the conference this
afternoon.
The treaty will not be published until
signed by the American representatives.
America having abandoned her principal
objections to the agreement previously ar
rived at, the plenipotentariessh only to
make unessential notifications in the word
ing of the draft of the treaty. The draft
guarantees an autonomous administration
of the islands under the joint control of
Germany and America, England acting as
arbitrator in the event of differences aris-
ing. The Samoans are to elect their
own king and vicsroy and are
to be represented in senate
composed of the principal chiefs and cham
bers elected by the people. Samoa is to
have the right of levying duties of every
kind. The treaty also stipulated that the
Germans shall receive money indemnity for
their losses A special court will be ap-
pointed to deal with the land question The
Americans made their adhesion conditional
upon the ratification of the treaty by the
United States Senate. Status QUO will,
therefore, obtain in Samoa until December.
Mr.. Phelps will carry the treaty to Wash
ington.
Sir Edward MaIet thanked Count Her..
bert on behalf of the English delegates.
Count Herbert. in reply, said he hoped they
had reached the final solution of the diff
cult question.
Messrs. Kasson, Bates and Phelps cor
daily thanked Count Herbert Bismarck for
the courteous manner in which they had
been treated, and they warmly praised the
skill and tact with which he had presided
over the deliberations of the conference.
GIsT OF THE AGREEMENT.
LONDON, June 10, A. M.-The Berlin
correspondent OF the Times learns that the
gist of the Samoan agreement is that
Malietoa shall be reinstated that control
of affairs shall be left mainly TO the
Samoans; that questions touching the life
or property of foreigners shall be subject to
the decision OF the resident judge-Ameri-
can, English or German; aud that the i'm
portation of liquor and firearms shall be
restricted.
The Posts Berlin correspondent saws:
1.-THE Samoan treaty arranges for the res
toration of King Malietoa and for the ap-
pointment of German and American ad-
visers to the king, with an English coun-
selor to adjust the balance. The Ameri-
can delegates have the utmost confidence
that the treaty will be ratified by the
United States Senate"
SATISFACTORY TO THIS GOVERNMENT.
WASHINGTON, June 14.-Information has
been received at the state department. that
the Samoan treaty was officially ratified
this morning at Berlin. The announcement
was made at the cabinet meeting by Secre-
tary Blaine, and it was agreed that it
was eminently satisfactory to our
government in its final shape
Little addl t,ld information could be
the treaty. 1t is impossible to tell whether
the paper drawn up is regarded at the de-
partment as treaty, and this is rather an
important point to be left unsettled.
II 1t Is a treaty the depart
ment cannot disclose the nature of the
paper just signed until it is acted upon by
the Senate, but If it is regarded as an inter.
national agreement information as to its
contents can and will be made public. 1t is
ALONh bAcU DhO ulctllSI ucS O60tl JIl0 subject
of discussion in the department within
few days past. Officials whose opinions are
entitled to weight will not undertake to
give formal definition of the difference
between treaty and an agreement. I'm
officially, however, it is said that an agree
ment concerns private rights only, while
treaty relates to the public welfare. In
support of this definition it is said that
q few years ago an agreement was
e..
settlement of a number of private claims.
This was not sent to the Senate and was re-
garded as an agreement, although the state
department did not escape adverse criticism
ecs the time for Withholding it. In the pres
ent case, however, the best opinion incIines
to the belief that the arrangement made is
a treaty which must be submitted to the
SENATE for ratification, and that the state
department is inclined to this view is patent
from the fact that the officials refuse to say
0nytnlng OF the understanding reached.
While the paper is called an agreement by
the officers of the state department, Walker
Blame said this evening that he thought
II would undoubtedly require ratification
by the Senate. Ii the instrument signed
were one regulating the conduct of two
countries toward each other, as for instance
between the United States and Samoa, it
would properly be designated as a treaty,
put when the instrument signed is to shape
The conduct of three governments. toward
fourth party-Samoa--it is held that Its
proper nature is an agreement. At the
same time, as lit is matter affecting
the foreign policy Of the United States,
1t is said that it will need ratification by
the Senate, and that therefore it cannot be
made public prior to action by the Senate.
The agreement was cordially approved by
all the members of the conference, and by
yhalr iva rhot ~
feeling prevailed at the termination of the
labors of the commissioners