Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-18
REPORTER KLEIN RETURNS.
Captain Mullan Refused to Surrender
Him to the Germans in Samoa.

John G. Klein the American newspaper man
who has figured in the Samoan troubles, ar
| rived in San Francisco Saturday. When mar
| tial law was declared on the islands by the
Germans, an attempt was made by the latter
| to seize Klein, but he was rescued by the
Americans and took passage on the oceanic
steamer Mariposa for this port When the
Mariposa left Samoa the islands were still under
martial law, and German aggression had be-
come very marked, and is claimed to have been
| directed against Americans as well as natives
Capt Fritze. the German naval commander
on January % issued an order instructing all
residents of Apia to turn over all guns and am
munition held by them, and proclaimed the
right to search. Capt. Mullan, Of the American
man-of-war Nipsic, protested against this ac-
ton.
German troops, acting as police in Apia, at
tempted to arrest Klein, but ON the advice of
the United States consul he went on board the
Nipsic. On January % Capt. Fritze made a de-
mand on Capt. Mullan to release Klein, that he
might be tried before a German military tri-
bunal. Capt. Mullan replied that he proposed
to protect all American citizens IN Samoa, and
that Klein would not be surrendered for trial,
and on Feb. he placed him on the Mariposa.
THEY WOULD HAVE SHOT KLEIN.
The advices brought from Samoa by the
steamer Mariposa, which arrived at San Fran
cisco on Saturday, indicate that the Germans
were carrying things with a high hand.
Many small outrages we're reported on Ameri-
cans and Englishmen by German officials.
After the proclamation of martial law on
January by DR.. Knappe, the German consul,
John G. Klein. the American newspaper CORE
spondent. received information from friendly
German that the German consul and captain of
the German man-of-war had resolved to arrest
him under martial law, take him on board of
the Adler, try him there by martial law at once,
and shoot him, or else transport him to the
Marshall Islands, where the former King
Malietoa is now confined. Klein on January
20, went to the American consulate at the
request of Consul Blackjack who advised him
that an armed German guard was looking for
him to arrest him. He was subsequently put
aboard the Mariposa.
An armed guard from the Adler went on
board OF the Richmond arrested an English
tourist named Gillian while he was in his bath,
and without giving him time to put on his
shoes and stockings, but merely his coat and
trousers took him on board of the Olga. Con-
sui Goetlezon and Capt. Hand were Informed
OF Glllan's arrest and went on board the Olga
and demanded an explanation. Capt. Ehradt
said Gillian had been arrested because it was
believed he was a spy. The German captain
was told that unless he sent the prisoner on
board Of the Richmond at once an armed boat
from the Royalist would 60 to the Olga and
take him off the ship. Gillian was returned to
the Richmond without delay.
John Chrlstaferson, of the American man-of-
war Nlpsic, returned from Samoa ON the Mari
posa, having obtained leave of absence. He
expressed himself as believing that the affair
would end in war unless action be quickly
taken by the American government.
1t ls openly charged in the island that DIR.
knappe, who has charge of the post-ofice,
opens the United States mails, only delivering
those he sees fit. 1t is even declared that
knappe has succeeded in obtaining the United
States governments secret CIPHER, for in a
number OF instances when government dis
patches OF private nature have been sent
through the department it has afterward been
discovered that they have been tempered with.
HOW GERMANY WANTS IT SETTLED.
1t is stated in Berlin that the German gov
eminent is willing to effect a settlement of the
Samoan question upon the basis of the United
States government proposal at the Washington
conference, namely, the establishment of a
joint American, German, and English control
over the Samoan government through the
consuls OF the three countries at Apia.
THE GERMAN PRESS ON THE WHITE BOOK
Discussing the white book on Samoan affairs
issued in Berlin ON Friday. the National Zeitng,
while recognizing the spirit of Cancellation dis
played by Germany, is of the opinion that Ger
manys attitude will have an unfayorable effect
upon her interests in the south seas. The
British naval officers" it SAYS, '.behaved 10y
any, Dut uOt 30 the bTltlSn consul. In regard
to the American consul and Commander Leary,
no censure can be strong enough; but it is
hoped that after the recall of Mr.. Sewall
America will see that words should be followed
by corresponding acts"
The Tessiche Zeitung thinks that the German
consul acted with more energy than discretion,
while the government maintained an attitude
OF cautious reserve. ''We cannot vet form
Judgment as to whether or not the charges
against the British and American agents are
well founded. On their own showing, however,
no praise is due the German agents for re-
markable ability"
WHAT SECRETARY BAYARD SAYS.
Secretary Bayard said Saturday night that
Capt. Leary, of the Nipsic had acted sensibiy
in taking care of Klein, the correspondent Re-
garding this man there seemed to be misun-
derstanding on the part of the German officials.
Quite naturally, exasperated by the killing of
their countrymen, they had fallen into the
error OF supposing that Klein was the leader of
the native forces and had wished to punish him.
Therefore, he was glad that Klein had got back
safely to the United States. OF the other events
chronicled in the dispatch the Secretary pointed
out that since its date telegraphic advices
showed that > rtial law had been abolished 50
far as 1t applied to foreigners, and that
the German officials had been rebuked
He had noticed in the newspapers-although
he had no official information ON the subject
that the German consul, Knappe, and Herr
Brandeis, Tamasese's advisor, who, according
to some accounts, had been responsible for
fomenting strife. had been ordered home by
the German government. If this were true the
state of affairs promised to be much relieved.
Altogether Secretary Bayard was hopeful that
speedy, peaceful and satisfactory settlement
of Samoan affairs would be reached. He had,
he said, received no news from Samoa later
than that sent to Congress and already pub
lished.
RACE FOR SAMOA
telegram to the New York Herald from San
Francisco, Feb. 16, says: The Vandalia arrived
at Honolulu ON February 2, twelve days from
San Francisco, and coaled and sailed for Samoa
on the 7th inst. The Trenton left Panama nine
days previous to the Vandalia's departure from
San Francisco, but has no midway coaling sta
ton. Both captains are doing their utmost to
reach Samoa first, as it is considered an even
race between the ships.
A CoUNTERFEITER CAUGHT IN BALTIMORE
In Baltimore, Friday, policeman arrested
William Russell ON the charge of trying to pass
counterfeit money. Russell had bought tur-
key for 65 cents from poultry dealer in the
Lexington market, and had handed him Is
cents in good coin and bad half-dollar but
the marketman refused to take the latter and
informed an officer who arrested Russell
United States Commissioner Rogers committed
him for hearing on Tuesday. Russelrs home
was found to be in a second-story back room at
No. IA Barnet street. In this room cOunterfeit