Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-22
The Samoan Conference Not Entirely
Harmonious After All.


BERLIN, May 21st.-The special correspondent
of the Associated Press learns that serious
hitch has occurred in the negotiations between
the Commissioners to the Conference on Samoan
affairs. The United States Government insists
that Malietoa be restored as King. This is the
chief point at ISSUE The German Government
is reluctant 10 agree to that proposition Its
representatives pc Mt out that Germany has par
doned Malietoa. and declare that they think
that that is the best their Government can do as
far as he is concerned.
BERLIN May 21st.-From certain indications
at the rooms of the American delegates, as we'll
at the quarters of the English Commissioners
and at the German Foreign Office, it is evident
that there is some serious hitch in the negotia-
tons of the Samoan Commission.
Mr.. Phelps, who is known as 1.-THE peace
maker both in the conference and the working
committee, is in evident trouble. First he is in
Reviewing an English Commissioner in his own
room, then he is hurrying off to the Foreign
Office, where he remains for sometime closeted
with a German representative, and then repeat
ing the process
when asked as to the situation, Commission
ers Phelps, Kasson and Bates say that there is
no great change, and everything is progressing
satisfactorily.
Both the German and English Commissioners
refuse to talk of the subject, but 1t is learned
from other sources that the United States Gov
eminent has instructed its Commission to insist
upon the return of Malietoa as King. A message
IS said to have been received from Secretary
Blaine within the past thirty-six hours directing
the Commissioners to insist upon the restoration
OF the StaLuS quo, ana saying That Germany de-
posed Malietoa as King and must return him as
King They may haggle about indemnity or
about dual or tripartite Government if they
please, but Malietoa must be King.
While the Germans have come to agree with
all other views of the American Commissioners,
they are reluctant to accept this condition, and
point to the fact that Malietoa was pardoned by
the German Emperor at the beginning of the
Conference. This they claim, should satisfy
America. 1t is thought that the crisis will be
reached at the meeting of the Conference to-
day. The American Commits .ioners at last were
quiet and conciliatory in their utterances con-
corning the situation, but expressed deter
mination to remain firm.
A special correspondent of the Associated
Press here was informed this evening that Ger
many has finally consented to restore King Ma
lietoa. This action was taken finally after pro-
longed and persistent efforts of the American
Commissioners. But now comes another hitch
IN the negotiations. The fresh difficulty grows
out OF Claim for indemnity made by Germany.
The American section of the Conference holds
that If any indemnity is paid it must be merely
nominal sum. Germany. on the contrary
maintains that in the conflicts between the
German forces and the Samoans the latter were
invariably aggressive. Besides this, the native
partisans OF King Malietoa were guilty of bar
barous practices. beheading German sailors, as
well as infiicting upon the wounded particular
cruelties These acts Germany insists should
entail upon the Samoans payment of special
indemnity.
Earnest efforts are being made in the commit
tee to settle toe dispute, but the matter is very
likely to require reference TO plensry confer
ence.
The London Posts Berlin correspondent says
that the Samoan protocol in the final form will
contain two chief points. The first of these re-
iates to the Government of Samoa, which will
be arranged on a triparite basis England being
accorded a position corresponding in a certain
sense to that of arbitration. The second deals
with the appointment of a commission. England
is to have large influence in the selection of the
supreme judicial functionary.