Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
SUCCESSFUL AMERICANS
they Gain All Their Points i'm the
Samoan Conference.
us Understood That Maleitoa Will
be Restored to Power.
30 L1quO Will be Allowed Sold on
the Samoa Islands.

Copyright 1882 by New York Associated Pressl
BERLIN, May 1S-The fourth session
of the Samoan conference was heId VS..
terday. The meeting was called 70
order shortly after o'olock by Herbert
Bismarck who presides at all M. lettings in
accordance with the established onstom
hat the highest representative Of the
government of the country in which the
conference is held shall preside. Pro-
seedlings were almost entirely formal.
They consisted chiefly in listening to re-
ports OF various sub committees which
Lave been holding daily sessions ever
since the conference met. At these
meetings the real work of the conference
has been transacted and as nearly as can
be learned the American COM
missiorers have succeed in carrying
every important point they set out
to obtain. Indeed, so prevalent is this
feeling in Berlin, that the Berlin press
and other Influential papers in Germany
com plain OF the success of the Americans.
While the greatest secrecy in regard TO
the proceedings is maintained, and here
tcfore nothing much beyond the fact
that the meetings have been held was
Known, 1t can now be stated, that except
ing the question OF indemnity for Ger
man sailors killed and beheaded by the
Samoans and one or two other minor
points, the work of the commission is
over. 1t is thought that the restora-
ton of Maileto to power is
assured, and plan for
tripartite government in Samoa for
which the American commissions CON
tested against the German plan for one
representative selected by the three pow
ors, will surely be put into effect. It is
also more than likely that the commits
sion has decided in favor of absolute IN
dependence of Samoa as soon as the
people there demonstrate their ability to
go it clone. The indemnity question is
yet to come up. 1t may prolong the
meetings some weeks but this is believed
to be the only point on which there is
likely TO be q serious contest.
The question of Klein's connection
with affairs in which German sailors were
killed, has never come up, nor is there
any likelihood of its doing so. Neither
will the commission hear testimony of
any kind. During the past meetings of
the CONFERENCE and committees the only
points of difference between the German
and American commissioners, the atti-
tude of the English members being
neutral. Their influence has generally
been cast with the view of settling the
question as expeditiously as possible.
They have, however, been strongly in
favor of having Protestant for king of
Samoa, which is thought to indicate their
preference for Malietoa, who was train
ed in an English Protestant college.
1t is rumored that the plan agreed upon
is that America, Germany and England
shall each appoint representatives and
that three more members of the board of
contlo shall be chosen by the rate payers.
No liquor shall be sold to natives, al
though foreigners can have such stores as
they choose in their private houses. Fire
arms are only to be sold to government
officials, aud only under certain restric-
tiOns which prevent heir use, except for
keeping peace. A plan for giving the
Samoabs revenue mas also been devised,
which provides for the re estab-
lishment of their right to impose
import and export duties which
right is taken from them by the existing
Samoan treaty. It is understood the
representatives of the three governments
have expressed confidence of being able
to obtain from their government this
concession to help the Samoans. To
representative of the Associated press
who called on him today, Mr.. Phelps said;
"The proceedings of the conference 1
cannot disclose, but 1 may say, through
you 20 America, that nothing is
interfering with the successful con-
clusion of our labors but the cry of
the European press that Germany is Civ
ing up everything. This charge is per-
sistently made, and it is naturally irri-
tating to our co-laborers. Moreover, it
is not true that mutual concessions have
been made. Germany is more willing
than America to yield anything that
would insure Samoan independence aud
give the natives better chance. This
is the prime impulse of the German as
well as of the American delegation.