The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-19
The Work of the Samoan Commits
sion Not Likely to Continue
Much Longer.
Samoa's Future Government as Re-
ported to Have Been Agreed
Upon by the Powers.
Mslietoa to be King. Each Power to Have
Representative In the Govern
ment-Tne Strikes.


BERLIN, May lS-The fourth session of
the Samoan conference was held yester-
day. The meeting was called TO order
shortly after 2 O'Clock by Herbert Bis
marck, who has presided at all the meet
ings, in accordance with the established
custom that the highest representative of
the government of the country in which
the conference is held shall preside. The
proceedings were almost entirely formal
They consisted chiefly in listening 10 re-
ports of various subcommittee
which had been holding daily
sessions ever since the conference
met. At these meetings 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 set out TO OBJ
tain Indeed, so prevalent is this feeling
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 maintained, and heretofore nothing much
beyond the fact that meetings have been
held was known, IL can now be stated that
excepting the question OF indemnity for
German sailors killed and beheaded by the
Sam0ans, and one OF two other minor
points of work, the commission is over. 1t
Is thought the restoration of MalietOa to
tripartate government in Samoa, for which
the American commissioners contested
against the German plan for one represen-
tative selected by the three powers, will
surely be put into effect IL is also more
than likely that the commission has decid-
ed in favor of the absolute Independence of
Samoa, as soon as the people there demon
strate their ability TO 90 alone. The in
demnity question is yet TO come up Ii
may prOlong the meetings some weeks.
but this is believed TO be the only part on
which there is likely To be serious contests.
The question of KleIn's connection with
the affair in which German sailors were
killed has never come up, 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 committees the only points of differ
ence has been between the German and
American committees The attitude of the
English members being neutral Their
influence generally, has been cast with
q view of settling the question as expedi-
tiOusly as possible. They have, however,
been strongly in favor of having a Protest
ant for king of Samoa, which Is thought to
indicate their preference for Malietoa, who
was trained in an English Protestant col
lege.
The most important work of the confer
ence has been done by what Is known as
the working committee. consisting of DIR.
krauel, assistant secretary of state for
Germany, and Scott and Bates, and 10
which Grove and Phelps were added as
advisers. The hrst-nsmed on account of
his long experience in British commercial
affairs, and the last named on account of
his long experience in America with the
tariff and in establishing a government out
of discordant elements IN louisiana The
duty of this committee has been the prepa-
ration of material for the general confer
ence. In this class was the plan 10 settle
disputes concerning land titles in Samoa.
The German, French and American inhab-
itants of Samoa have been acquiring land
SO East in Apla that little remains for the
natives, and 10 Is claimed their titles in
many cases are do ub fHI. as the land was
given 10 them by irresponsible natives in
exc hange for liquor and trlfies- This com
mIttee was also entrusted with the work of
settling the form of government at Apia
II is rumOred the plan agreed upon is that
America, Germany and England shall each
appoint representative and that three
more members of the board of control shall
be chosen by the ratepayers- No liquor
shall be sold to natives, although foreigners
can have such stores as they choose in their
private houses. Fire arms are only To
be sold to the government and
then only under certain restrictions. which
prevents their use except for keeping
peace. A plan for giving the Samoans
their revenues has also been devised,
which provides for the establishment of
their night 10 impose import and export
duties, which right is taken from them by
the existing samoan treaty. IL is under
stood the representatives Of the three gov
ernments have expressed confidence of be
ing able TO obtain from their government
this concession 10 help the SamOans-
The emperor is impatient at the delay in
bringing about peace between the miners
and the employers, and has directed the
president of Westphalia TO convey to the
mining companies his desire 10 accelerate a
compromise DIR. Hintzpeter, who is now
by command of the emperor, making a
tour of the strike districts IN order to hear
both sides, is charged to warn the mine
owners that the government will resent
their action II they refuse to grant the
essential claims of the men. The power of
the government to make the employers feel
the weight of its displeasure lies at hand.
The mine owners have obtained during re-
cent years many favOIs; 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 10 compete with
the English coal These privileges are
readily assailable il the companies are
contumacious. While the state of the
mines is most prosperous, the condition of
the men ls yearly more wretched. Public
feeling is becoming more and more pro-
nounced in favor OF the men.