Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-19
FOREIGN FACTS.
AMERICAN DIPLOMATS DOING
YELL In BERLIN.
Prince Bismarck Quits the Rich
stag in a Rage-The Emperor
and the Strikers.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE REcoRD-us1os.l
SAMOAN QUESTION.
American Commissioners Carrying Ever
Point They Sought.


Point They Sought.
BERLIN, May 1Sth.-The fourth session
of the Samoan Conference was held yester-
day. The meeting was called to order
shortly after o'clock by Herbert Bis
marck, who presides at all the meetings in
accordance with the established custom
that the highest representative of the Gov
eminent of a country in which the confer
ence is held shall preside The proceed
ings were almost entirely formal. They con-
sisted chiefly in listening to the reports of
various sub committees, which have been
holding daily sessions ever since the Con-
ference met.
AT these meetings the real work of the
Conference has been transacted, and as
nearly as can be learned the American Com
missioners have succeeded in carrying
every important point they set out to OBJ
tain. Indeed, so prevalent is this feeling in
Berlin that the Berlin press and other in
fuential papers in Germany complain of
the success of the Americans, while the
greatest secrecy in regard to the proceedings
is maintained, and heretofore nothing much
beyond the fact that meetings had been
held was known.
1t can now be stated that, excepting the
question of indemnify for German sailors
killed and beheaded by the Samosns and
one or two other minor points, the work of
the Commission is over. 1t is thought the
restoration of Malietoa to power is assured
and that the plan for Tripartite Govern
ment in Samoa, for which the American
Commissioners contested against the Ger
man plan for one representative selected
by the three powers, will surely be put into
effect. 1t is also more than likely that the
Commission has decided in favor of the
absolute independence of Somoa as soon as
the people there demonstrate their ability
to go alone.
The indemnity question is yet to come
up. 1t may prolong the meeting some
weeks, but this is believed to be the only
point on which there is likely to be seri-
Gus contest. The question of Klein's con-
nection with the affair in which the Ger
man sailors were killed has never come up,
nor is there any likelihood of its doing so,
neither will the Commission hear tes-
timony of any kind.
During the past meetings of the Confer
ence and Commissioners the only point of
difference has been between the German
and American Commissioners. the attitude
of the English members being neutral.
Their influence has generally been cast
with a view of settling the question as ex-
peditiously as possible. They have, how
ever, been strongly in favor of having a
Protestant for the King of Samoa, which is
thought to indicate their preference for
Malietoa, who was trained in an English
Protestant college.
The most important work of the confer
ence has been one by what is known as the
working committee consisting of Dr. Kra-
mel, Assistant Secretary of State for Ger
| many, and Messrs. Scott and Bates, and to
which Messrs. Grove and Phelps were added
as advisors-the former named on account
of his long experience in British CONNER
cial affairs, and the latter because of his
long experience in America wilh the tariff
and his experience in establishing the Gov
eminent out of discordant elements in Louis
lana. The duty of the committee has been the
preparation of material for the general con-
ference. Ia this class it was the plan to
settle disputes concerning land titles in
Samoa. German, French and American
inhabitants in Samoa have been acquiring
land so fast in Apia that little remains for
the natives, and it is claimed that their
| titles in many instances are doubtful, as
land was given them by irresponsible ma
tives in exchange for liquor and trities.
This committee was also intrusted with
the work of settling the form of govern
| ment at Apia. 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 Control shall be chosen by 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 the Govern
ment, and then only under certain restric-
tons which prevent their use except for
keeping the peace.
A plan for giving Samoans revenue has
also been devised which provides for the
establishment of their right to impose
import and export duties, which right is
taken from them by the existing Samoan
treaty. 1t Is understood that the repre-
sentstives of the three Governments have
expressed confidence of being able to OBJ
tain from their Governments this conces-
sion to help the Samoans.
The stay OF the American Commissioners
in Berlin is being made very pleasant.
They are overwhelmed with social atten-
tions from distinguished residents One of
the pleasantest incidents which have &C.
Cured was the call they made on Prince
Bismarck at his request, which was a
special mark of consideration, as the
Prince, being in feeble health, rarely goes
out or receives anyone.
To representative who called on them
to-day Mr.. Phelps said: THE proceedings
of the Conference | cannot disclose, but |
may say through you to America that
nothing is interfering with a successful
conclusion of our labors. But the cry OF
the European press is that Germany is Civ.
| ing up everything. This charge is persist
emily made and is naturally irritating our
| co-laborers. Moreover, it is not true that
| mutual concessions have been made. Ger
many is more willing than America to do
ON fhat vrNpld
| independence and give the natives better
| chance. This is the prime impulse of Ger
| many as well as of the American delega-
| ton.
The best indications that the conference
| is nearing a successful close is found in
| the fact that the Emperor has invited all
| the members to a reception at the Schloss
| on Monday. Only few days ago the dele.
7 gates were informed an audience could not
| be given earlier than the 9th inst.
| The proceedings at yesterdays sitting
| showed such progress toward an assured
settlement on every point that Prince Bis
| marck decided to expedite the reception.
THE EMPEROR GETTING IMPATIENT.
The Emperor is impatient at the delay
in bringing about peace between the
miners and employees. and has directed the
| President of the province OF Westphalia to
carry TO the mining companies his en-
| phatic desire to accelerate the compromise
| 1t is reported that the President has re-
signed the Emperor blaming him for al
! lowing affairs to drift so badly and also for
sending out false alarms as to the en-
counters between the strikers and military.
WILL TAKE OFF The TARIFF.
Mine owners have obtained during recent
years many favors. They have secured
| special tariffs throughout Germany, and
| have been granted low freight rates to
Hamburg, Bremen, Belgium and Holland
| in order to enable them to compete with
English COAL These privileges are readily as
| sailable if the companies are contumacious.
| While the state of the mines is most pros
| Porous, the condition of the men is yearly
! becoming more wretched. Public feeling
| is becoming more and more pronounced in
| favor of the men, and the paralysis of the
| iron and steel industries, consequent upon
lack of sufficient supply of coal, intensi-
| fies the feeling of discomfort existing out
| side of the coal district. In the event of q
| failure of speedy settlement of the trouble
the Government will convene conference
of employers and of workmen under q
| neutral President, which shall be employed
| to arbitrate on the differences.
PRINCE BISMARCK SURPRISED.
| In the Reichstag to-day, when the aged
workmen's insurance bill came up for q
third reading, Prince Bismarck made an
acrid speech. He said that he was not sur
prised that the Socialists, the Freisimige
4 n 4 - L 4 =