Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-05

nature. Consul Knappe has prepared de-
tense of his conduct while at Samoa. He
alleges that the Americans stirred up all
the trouble. Minister Pendleton leaves
Berlin tomorrow.
tcoPYRIGHT, 1889, BY NEW YORK ASSOCIATED
PREss.1
BERLIN, May A committee of the
Samoan confidence has prepared the draft
of proposal to constitute court to decide
questions of land tenure in Samoa. The
court is to consist of one representative of
each of the interested powers and two Sa-
moese.
Complications connected with existing
tenures threaten to impede progress until
the committee relegates the settlement of
the question to the proposed court. Messrs.
Sewall and Brandeis have been present
daily at the sittings Mr.. Sewall proved
the untenable character of a number of
German land claims, and further showed
that the extent of land claimed by foreign
ers as bought or ceded was in excess of the
area of the island.
Mr.. Brandeis gave evidence on the valid
ity of German land titles, and said he de-
sired to be heard on the losses of German
planters. The committee declined to con-
slider such losses as involving a question of
indemnity.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS.
The English and American delegates ex-
press satisfaction at the progress so far
made, and all sides are hopeful that the
convention will be concluded early in June.
The attitude of the English delegates Will
assist in the solution of the question.
Before the conference it was suspected
that the entente between Berlin and Lon
don would tend to throw the balance against
the American policy, but developments
since the opening of the conference warrant
the belief that the English delegates have
been instructed to join with the American
representatives in opposing German preten-
sions to special rights. The report that
Messrs. Sewall, Parker and Buckingham
are not recognized officially and are socially
ignored is untrue. On the contrary, they
are well received everywhere.
The banquet to be given by the American
Commissioners at the Kaiserhof Hotel on
Wednesday will be a brilliant affair. There
will be present, beside all the members OF
the conference, the full diplomatic corps of
all countries having representatives at Ber-
lin. Mr.. Pendleton, the retiring American
Minister, and his daughters, will leave
Berlin on Monday.
CONSUL KNAPPE's DEFENSE.
The report of DR.. Knappe, ex-German
Consul at Apia, was issued to-day. 1t is
lame defense of his own conduct. In it DR..
Knappe charges the adherents of Mataafa
with raiding the German planters, and de-
shae L.,
to abandon their positions which encroached
upon the plantations.
He says that the disorders in Samoa were
partly due to American Indictment. The
general tenor of the report and its publica-
tion at the present juncture, suggest a latent
intention on the part of Bismarck to persist
in his indemnity demands. An appendix
to the report gives the American consul's
edict prohibiting the supplying of spirits to
sailors.
DIR. Knappe complains that toy flags and
on which are imprinted the
American colors and the portrait of
the President of the United
States, have been hoisted promiscu-
ously over native houses since the outbreak
of the civil war In Samoa. He also saws
that American and British flags were
hoisted on plots of land pledged by the
arms and ammunition. The commander of
the British cruiser at Apia, he says, de-
clined to support claims to land thus
pledged.
BIsMARCK's DISCRETION.
The ferment of discomfort among the Gov
ernment groups has increased since the
peremptory closure of the Landtag. The re-
opening of the Reichstag will be signalized
BY attacks on the Government, in which a
number of National Liberals will join with
.he Progressists and Centerists. The mem
oers OF the Landtag expected that the new
income tax bill promised in the speech from
he throne, would be tabled before the ad-
ournment of the House.
Prince Bismarck preferred to drop the
bill and close the House, being advised
hat the long-tried docility Of the Govern
nent majority could not be relied upon.
Avoiding simultaneous conflict in the |
Landtag and the Reichstag, the Chancellor |
his efforts against the opposi-
Jon in the Reichstag and is secretly negoti-
.ting with DR.. Windthorst.
That able tactician is understood to be |
for the full value of the Cen
erist's support of the Government bills |
elativey to the press and the insuring of |
Lged workmen. The necessity of Prince |
8ismarck's obtaining the Centerist vote |
o carry either of these measures becomes
in view of the strength OF the |
hostile coalition. A small group of cler- |
Gals, led by Herr Won Frankenstein. have
.lready announced their intention of sup
PORTING the Government, but their number |
S not sufficient to secure majority. DIR. |
Nindthorst holds the mastery of the situa-
ion.
TROUBLE MAY COME.
The arrest in Switzerland and the expul- |
ion from that country of Police Inspector |
Tohlgemuth has suddenly assumed a seri- |
us International aspect The Emperor pre-
;ded at a Ministerial council held on
at which it was decided to de-
,and an explanation of the affair from the
,wiss Government
The North German Gazette declares that
Ierr Wohlgemuth went to the Canton of
Aargan in the legal prosecution of his du-
les of police inspector of Mulhouse and was
rrested at the instance of/a Socialist who
-as known to be an agent provoccateur
painst the German police. The Gazette,
ipnifcantlv adds: "The countries border
ng on Switzerland must protect themselves
Cainst revolutionary efforts which the
yiss officials both tolerate and promote"
The gravity of the affair is increased by
ommunications, initiated at ST. Petersburg.
ointing toward JOINT action to coeree Swift
rIand. To-day's SUet, in urging that
nited pressure be brought to bear in order
, stop the laxity of the Swiss authorities
,ward conspirators, says: "The recent
omb discovery at Zurich demonstrates the
ecessity for foreign States NO longer per-
lifting Switzerland to harbor and protect
urderers."
MOVEMENTS OF ROYALTY.
The Emperor and Empress 90 tomorrow
Kiel to attend the christening Of Prince
aron Won Der Goltz to be present as the
Of the officers Of the navy, all
whom will be godfathers of the infant
rince.
General Won Werder, who was sent on a