The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-23
Progress of the Conference at Ber-
lin and its Work Practically
Finished.
The Americans Garry Their Point
The Restoration OF Mahetoa
Thought Probable.


conference is held shall preside. The pro-
ceedings we're almost entirely formal.
They consisted chiefly in listening to re
ports of various sub committees, which
have been holding daily sessions ever
since the conference met. At these meet
ings the real work of the conference has
been transacted, and, as nearly as can be
learned, the American commissioners have
succeeded in carrying every important
point they held out to obtain; indeed, so
prevalent is this idea in Berlin, that the
Berlin press and other influential papers
in Germany complain of the success of
the Americans.
While the greatest secrecy in regard to
the proceedings is maintaine d and hereto
fore nothing beyond the fact that the
meetings had been held was known, it can
now be stated that, excepting the question
of indemnity for German sailors killed
and beheaded by the Samoans and one or
two other minor points, the work of the
commission is about over. 1t is thought
that the restoration of Malietoa to power
is assured, and that the plan for the
tripartite movement in Samoa, for which
the American commissioners contended
against the German plan for one repre-
sentative selected by the three powers,
will surely be put into effect.
1t is also more than likely that the CON-
mission has decided in favor of the abso.
lutte independence of Samoa as soon as the
people there demonstrate their ability to
go alone.
The indemnity question is yet to come
up. 1t may prolong the meetings of the
conference some weeks, but this,i believed
to be the only poiut in which there o
likely to be any serious contest. The
question of Klein's connection with the
affair in which the German sailors were
killed has not come up, nor is there any
likelihood of its doing so.
The only points of difference have been
between the German and American com.
missioners. The attitude of the English
members has been neutral. Their infu-
enoe has generally been cast with view
of settling the question as expeditiously
as possible. They have, however, been
strongly in favor of having q Protestant
for king of Samoa, which is thought to in
dictate their preference for Malietoa, who
was trained in an English Protestant col
lege.
The most important work of the con-
ference has been done by what is known
as the working committee, consisting OF
DR.. Kranel, assistant secretary of state for
Germany, and Messrs. Scott and Bates,
and to which Messrs. Grove and Phelps
were added as advisers-the first named
on account of his long experience in
British commercial affairs, and the last
named because of his long experience in
America with the tariff. The duty of this
committee has been the preparation of
material for the general conference. In
this class was plan to settle the dispute
concerning land titles in Samoa. The
German, French and American inhabitants
of Samoa have been acquiring lands 40 fast
in Apia that little remains for the natives,
and it is claimed that their titles, in many
instances, are doubtful, as the land was
given to them by irresponsible natives in
exchange for liquor and trifes. This
committee was also entrusted with the
work of settling the form Of the govern
ment at Apia.
1t is rumored that the plan agreed on is
that America, Germany and England shall
appoint a representative, and that three
more members of board of control
shall be chosen by the taxpayers. No
liquor shall be sold to the natives, although
foreigners can have such stores as they
choose in their private houses. Firearms
are only to be sold to the government and
then only under certain restrictions, which
prevent their use except for keeping the
peace.
A plan for giving the Samoans rev.
enue has also been advised, which pro-
vides for the re-establishment of the right
to import and export duties, which right
is taken from them by the existing Sa-
moan treaty.
IL is understood that representatives of
the three governments have expressed con-
fidence of being able TO obtain from their
government this concession to help the
Samoans.
The stay of the American commission
ers in Berlin has been made very pleas
ant. They are overwhelmed with atten-
ton from distinguished residents. One
of the pleasant incidents which has oc-
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 day was the first time the delegates
showed willingness to talk with news
paper men about the work accomplished.
This morning, when representative OF
the Associated Press visited Mr.. Phelps at
Kaiserhof hotel, where the indefatigable
commissioner was forced to use his eyes
in the work, and announced his missio n.
Mr.. Phelps said:
"The proceedings of the conference l
cannot disclose but may say through you
to America that nothing is interfering
with the successful conclusion of our Ia
bors but the cry of the republican press
that Germany is giving up everything
This charge is persistently made, and is
irritating our co-laborers. Moreover, it il
not true; mutual concessions have beer
made. Germany is no more willing than
America to yield anything that would in
sure Samoan independence and give tn,
natives a better chance. This is tn,
prime impulse CT Germany as we'll of tn,
American delegation.