New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-19
IT'S LABORS NEARLY ENDED
THE SAMOAN CONTROVERSY ABOUT SETTLED
BY THE CONFERENCE.
4 SUMMARY OF THE CHIEF POINTS AGREED UPON
-MALtEToAS REsTo RATION ASSURED
CHAFING UNDER EUROPEAN
PRESS CRITiCIsN

| PRESS CRITICISM.
Copyright 1889 By a, Ser FORK AIsoeidted Prem
Berlin, May lS.-The fourth session of the
Samoan Conference, which was held yesterday,
| took place in the same rooms OF the Department of
| Foreign Affairs in which the other three meet
| ings have been held. The apartment is furnished
with extr,me simplicity. There is space for little
besides long table, at which the Commissioners
sit. Tho meeting was called to order shortly
after O'clock by Count Herbert Bismarck, who
| preSides at all the meetings, in accordance with
| the established custom that the highest repre-
| sentative OF the Government OF the country in
which conference Is held shall preside. Count
| Herbert sat at the upper end OF the table just
| hack Of plain little desk which the late Emperor
| Frederick used during his brief reign. lie was
hanRRd by two colleagues. Next TO Baron Won
Horstcin, who sat on Count Herbcrt's right, came
Mr. KaSson then Mr. Phelps and then Mr.. Bates,
| the American Commissioners. At the other end Of
the table the two secretaries Of the Commission,
Mr.. Boauclerck a secretary Of the British Foreign
Office and Herr Stemlech, OF the German Foreign
Office, were busly engaged recording the proceed
ingS. At Count Herbert's left Dr. krauel,
the third German Commissioner. Then followed
Sir Edward Malet, Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Grove, the
English representatives, in the order named.
Sone Of the Commissioners wns in uniform or
court dress but all wore black frock coats.
The proceedings were almost entirely formal.
They consisted cricty in listening TO the reports
OF the various sub-committces which have been
holding daily sessions ever since tla Conference
met. al these meetings the real work OF the
Conference has bean transacted, and as nearly as
can be learned tho American Commissioners hnve
succeeded in carrying every important point they
act out to obtain. Indeed, so prevalent is this
feeling in Bcrlin that the Isrln press and other
influential papers in Germany complain Of the
success Of tho Americans
TtE COMMISSIONS WORK ABOUT ovER.
Wh:c the greatest secrecy in regard TO the
proceedings is maintained and heretofore nothing
much beyond the fact that the meetings had
been held was known, IL can now be stated that
excepting the question Of indemnity for German
saiors killed and bchcaded by the SamoanS, and
one or two other minor pJinlS the work OF
tho Commission Is about over. IL Is thought That
the rCstOuIuOn OF hAiletoh 10 power Is assured
and that the plan Tor uipartite Government
in Samoa, Tor which the American Commissioners
contested against the German plan tOr one rep
rcsentatlvc selected by the three Powers Will
surely be put into eject II is also more than
likely that the Commission has decided In favor
OF the absolute Independence OF samoa as soon
as th, people demonstrate their ability 10 90
alone. ihe indemnity question is yet 10 come
up. II may prUlong the meetings OF the Con
the only point on which there is likely 10 he q
serious contest The question Of klsinS conncc
tion with the affair In which the German sailors
we're killed has never come up nor is there any
likelihood Of It's doing So Neither will the
Commission hear any testimony Of any kind.
During the past meetings OF the Coniercnce
and the committees the only points Of difference
have been between the German md American
Comm is>ioners, thr attitude OF the English mem
hers being neutral Their influence has gen
orally been cast with view OF set
lin
possible They have, however, been strongly
in favor OF having Protestant for King q; samoa
which Is thought Ia indicate their preference Tor
Malctoa, who was trained in ma English Protcs
tant college
DIVISION or LABOR IN THE CONFERENCE.
The most important work Of tho Conference
has been done by what is known ms the Working
Committee, consisting Of DIR. Knucl, Assistant
Secretary OF State for Germany, and McsSrs Scott
and Batrs and 10 which Mcssrs. Grove and Phelps
were added ~ adviscrs the first on account of his
long experience in British commercial affairs, and
the last because OF his long experience In America
with The tariff and OF his experience In establish
ing n Government out OF the disCOrdnnt elements
In Louisiana. The duty OF this committee has
been the preparation OF material Tor tn crnrrI
Conference. In this lass WIS plan 10 s,ttle DIS
rutCs concerning band titles in Namon. The ter
mna French and American inhabitants of Samoa
hnvC been acquiring land so fast IN Aph that
little remains for the natives, and n is claimed
that their titles in many Instances are
doubtful. rs the land was civen Ia them by
irresponsible natives In exchange for hqn3r ana
triics This committee WAS also entrusted WIN
the work OF settling the form Of the Government
~ Apia H. i rumnrcd thnt the plan agreed on
II that America, Germany ana England snail
each appoint a representative and that three more
members Of n Board Of Control shall be chosen
by the ratr. payers No liquor shall be sold 10
natives, although foreigners cal hnve such stores
rs they choose in their rTivar' houses. Firearms
arr only 90 he sold 20 the Government and then
only under certain restrictions which prevent
their use except for keeping the peace plan
for giving the SamOans revenue has also been
devised, which provides for the rc-cstahIislnnr
Of their right 20 impose import and export duties,
which right is taken from them by the existing
Samoan treaty. 1t Is understood that the rcprN
scnaIvCS OF thr three Gov crnmcntS have expressed
confidence OF being Ahlr TO obtain from their Gov.
cInm'nts this concession !" help IN" Samoans
The stay Of the American Commissioners In
Berlin is being made pleasant They are over.
whclmcd with social attCntl"nS from distinguished
residents. One OF the plcnsantcSt INCIDENTS "hch
has occurred was the call they mndc on Prince
bismarck at his request which was sp%rlnl mark
Of consideration. as tho Prince being I'm feeble
health, rarely goes ont or receives any ono.
FEW WORDS FROM MR. PHELPS.
To-day was the first time any OF the delegates
showed = willingness 10 tall, with newspaper mon
about the work accomplished This morning.
when a representative Of the Associated Press
visited Mr.. Phelps at the Kaiscrhot Hotel, where
the indcfatiglhlc Commissioner was found up 10
his eyes in work, and announced his mission. Mr..
Phelps said:
The proceedings Of the Conference I
cannot disclose, hut / may say through
you to America that nothing is
interfering with the successful conclusion Of our
abors but the cry of the European press that
Germany is giving up everything This charge
is pcrslstcnty made Und Is naturally irritating
our cO-labOrcrs Moreover, IL is not true that
mutual concessions have been made Germany is
no more willing than America TO yield ANYTHING
that would insure Samoan independence I'D give
the natives u better chance. This Is the prime
impulse OF the German press, as we'll as OF the
American delegation"
The best Indication that the Conference j. near
ing successful close is found in the fact th"t the
Emperor has invited oil the members 20 a reception
AZ the Scbloss on Monday. Only few days ago
the delegates were informed that an audience could
not he given earlier than May -. In view OF tho
detailed work remaining 10 DC disposed Of two or