The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-05-13


OF so many unayenged Germans on
his hands. Tamasese, it is thought,
has less influence for good over his
cOuntrymen than Mahetoa, and is
less able to guarantee the future
peace and tranquility of the islands.
Doubtless to allow the conference
perfect freedom in choice the En-
perOr has given orders for the liber-
alton Of MalietOa, and it would seem
to be his unconditional liberation.
The Berlin correspondent of the
News says: perhaps Tamasese will
be appointed Vice-King of Samoa,
but Germany will decline to allow
Mataafa any official position"
The Posts Berlin correspondent
says: 1T is understood that Eng
land, in the interest of her Australian
colonies, will on many points sup
port the American proposals IN re-
gard to Samoa"
A special from the Berlin cores
pendent of the London Times argues
length that England's interests in
the Samoan question are all on the
side Of maintaining cordial relations
with America and doing nothing to
divorce the loyal regard of her own
Colonies
The subcommittee of the Samoan
Conference has prepared d draft of
the proposal to constitute a court to
decide questions of land tenure in
Samoa. The court is to consist of
one representative of each of the in
terested Powers and two SamOans.
Sewall and Brandeis have been
present daily at the sittings. Sewall
proved the untenable character of a
number of the German land claims.
and further showed that the extent
OF the land claims by foreigners, as
bought or coded, was IN excess Of
the area of the islands. Brandeis
gave evidence ON the validity of the
German titles, and said he desired
to be heard on the losses to German
planters.
The committee declined to con
slider such losses as involving the
question of indemnity.
The English and American dele
gates express satisfaction at the pro
gress already made, and all sides are
hopeful that the convention will be
concluded in June. The attitude
OF the English delegates will assist
In the solution of the question. Be
fore the conference it was suspected
that the entente between Berlin and
London would tend to throw the
balance against American policy,
but later developments warrant the
belief that the English delegates
have been instructed to join with
the American Representatives in Op-
posing German pretensions to
special rights.
i grand banquet was to be given
the American Commissioners.
The report of DR.. Knappe, ex-Ger,
man Consul at Apia, charges the
adherents of Mataafa with raiding
German plantations, and describes
his efforts to induce the insurgents
to abandon their positions, which
encrOached upon the plantations.
He says the disorders in Samoa were
partly due to American excitement.
The general tenor of the report and
its publication at the present juno
ture suggests the latent intention on
the part of Bismarck to persist in his
INDEMNITY demands.
DIR. knappe complains that toy
flags and handkerchiefs on which
are imprinted American colors and
the portrait Of the President of the
United States have been hOisteG
prOmiscuOusly over native houses
since the outbreak of the civil war in
Samoa. He also says that American
and British flags were hoisted on
plots of land pledged by the rebels
IN lieu of cash IN payment for arms
and ammunition. The commander
of the British cruiser at Apia, he
says, declined to support claims to
land thus pledged. DR. Knappe de
MES the reports published in the
American newspapers regarding the
violation of American property dur
ing the German naval operations in
that country.
The German representatives con-
sented to the appointment of Buck
lngham as American Secretary of !
the conference.
Washington and Apia.
The officials of the State and Navy |
at Washington are con
what can be done in the |
matter of suitably rewarding King
Mataafa Of Samoa for his timely eff
forts to rescue the American sailors
and property wrecked at Samoa.
Admiral Kimberly's report contained
a strong recommendation upon this
point, which cannot be neglected.
1t is probable a Congressional
must be had for the be-
5tOwal of any suitable reward, but
the Navy Department may be able
to give the King token
Of its appreciation in the shape of
BOATS or some of the property now
stored at Apia.
Secretary Tracy in long letter
las acknowledged reports from Ad-
niral Kimberly. He eulogizes the
kill and bravery displayed by Off
'ers and men, and considers an Off
.ial investigation to be altogether
The treasure which was aboard |
he Trenton has been recovered.
The Nipsic had been repaired and
so far that she will be
aiken to Auckland by the United
states steamer Alert, but she was
gain disabled while being towed in
Y,i. borI,1,.