The morning news., 1889-05-19
SAMOA A FREE STATE.
YANKEE sHRRWDNEss WINS IN
THE CONFERENCE.

BERLIN, May 1S.-The best indication
that the Samoan conference in nearing a
successful close is found is the fact that the
emperor has invited all the members to a
reception at the Schloss on Monday. Only
few days ago the delegates were informed
that an audience could not be given earlier
than May ~. The proceedings at yester lays
sitting showed such prugress toward an
assured settlement on every point that
Prince Bismarck decided to expedite the
reception. The National GGsette states
that another plenary sitting will conclude
the conference. The foreign office, how
ever, does not expect SO speedy termina-
ton.
AN AMENDED REPORT.
The committee on the form OF govern
ment will present an amended report Tues
day. The same sitting will hear parts OF
the protocol prepared on the land tenure
and municipal administration of Apia.
In view OF the detailed work remaining
to be disposed Of. two or more plenary sit
tings appear to be inevitable. Lieut.. Buck
ingham has received a summons on official
business in London and will leave Tuesday.
He will be replaced on the conference by
Mr.. Crosby, second secretary of the Ameri-
can legation. Mr.. Grove will return to
his post at the Englsh embassy in Paris on
the May %. Sir Edward Malet, the Brit
ish ambassdor, will entertain the delegates
before Mr.. Groves departure. Count Her
bert Bismarck will give a grand banquet at
the close of the conference
THE MEETING PLACE.
The fourth session Of the conference,
which was held Yesterday, took place in the
small room Of the department Of foreign
affairs in which the other three meetings
have been held. Tue apartments furnished
with extreme simplicity. There is space
for little besides the long table at which the
commissioners sit. The meeting was called
to order shortly after O'Clock by Count
Herbert Bismarck, who presides at all
the nesting, in accordance with esta ablishod
custom that the highest representative Of
tie government of the country in which
the conference is held shall preside. None
of the commits toner's was III uniform or
court dress, but all wore black frock coats.
The proceedings were almost entirely for
NAL They consisted chiefly in listening to
the reports of the various subcommittee
which have been holding sessions ever since
the conference met.
SUCCESS OF THE AMERICANS.
At these meetings the real work of the
conferen o has been transacted, and, as
nearly as can be learned, the American
commissioners have succeeded in carrying
every llIl yJILdLlS pJluu luby s8O Ouu 20 DD-
tain. Indeed, SO prevalent is this feeling in
Berlin that the Berlin press and othor in
huential papers in Germany complain Of
the success of the Americans. While the
greatest secrecy i'll regard to tho proceed
ings is maintained, and heretofore nothing
much beyond tine fact that the meetings
had been held was known, It
eau now be stated that ex-
cepting the question of indemnity for
A., Ir;1T
the Sanoans, and one or two other points,
the conference is about over 1t is thought
that the restoration of Malietoa to power is
assured, and that the plan for tripa, tite gov
ernment in Samoa, for which tho American
commissioners contested against the Ger
man plan for one representa- i've selected by
one OF the three powers, will surely be put
into effect.
ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE.
It is more than likely that the commits
sion has decided in favor of absolute indie
pendence of Samoa as soon as tie people
demonstrate their ability to 90 alone The
indemnity question is yet to come. 1t may
prolOng the meetings Of the conference some
weeks, but this is believed to be tue ly
point on which there is likely to be a serious
contest. The question Of Kleiu's conuec-
ton with the affair in which the German
sailors were killed has never come ~, nor is
there any likelihood Of its doing So Neither
will the commission hear testimony Of
any kind. During the past meetings Of the
conference and the committee the only
points Of difference have been between the
German and American commissioners, the
attitude of the English memb 4rs being ueu-
trsl. 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 q
Protestant for king Of Samoa, which is
thought to indicate their preference for
Mslietoa, who was trained in an English
Protestant college.
THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK.
The most important work of the confer
ence has been done by what is known as the
working committee, consisting of DR..
Krauel, assistant secretary OF state for Ger
many, and Messrs Scott and Bates, and 10
which Messrs. Grove and Phelps were
added as advisers, the first named on
account Of his long experience in British
commercial affairs, and tho last named
because Of his long experience In America
with the tariff and Of his experience in
establishing government out OF dis
cOr1ant elements in Louisiana. The
duty Of this committee has been the
preparation Of material f r the general con-
ference. In this class was the plan to settle
disputes concerning land titles in Samoa.
The German, French and American iuhobi-
tants Of Samoa have been acquiring land so
fast in Apia that little remains for the ma
tves, and 10 is claimed that their titles in
many Instances are doubtful, as tie land
was given 70 them by irreapou iole natives
in exchange for liquor aud tribes.
APIA's FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
This committee was also entrusted with
the work Of settling the form of govern
ment at Apia IL is ruufored that plan
has been agreed on aud that America, Ger
many and England shall each appoint
representative and that three more mem
bers OF tho board Of control shall DO chosen
by the rate payers. No liquors shall be
sold 20 the natives, although iorgigne can
have such stores as they choose in their
private houses. Fire arms are only 30 be
sold 10 tho government and only under Ger
tain restrictions, which preventtaeir use eE-
cept for keeping the peace. The plan for
giving Samoa revenue has also ue9u
devised, which provides for the re-estaoiish-
ment Of their rigat % imu9ss import aud
export duties, wuicu ri.aJ il takel from
them by the existing Samoan treaty. j. Is
understood that tho representatives ~ tho
three governments have exnresss1 c7nil-
druce of being atle o. cham from their
governments this concession y help tho
5amOaus.
The stay Of the American commissioners
IN Berlin is being made very pleasant. Tley
are oyerwhel ned with social attentions
from distinguished residents one OF
the pleGsautess iacideDt4 which has
occurred MAS call thoy mado on Prince