The morning news., 1889-04-28
A SAMOAN PIPE OF PEACE
FIRST SITTING OF THE CONFER
KNCE AT BERLIN.

Prince Bismarck Receives the Ameri-
can Commissioners With Great Cor
diality-A suspicion that England
VIII Approve the Principle OF the
German Demands-Baya yards Plan o.
Government Will Not Be Adopted.
BERLIN, April 81. Messrs. Kas4o
Phelps and Bates. the American delegates
to the Samoan conference, made q social
visit on Prince Bismarck at 2;30 o'clock
this afternoon.
The delegates to the Samoan conference
are delighted with the reception accorded
them by Prince Bismarck. The chancellor
was especially cordial to Mr.. Bates, who
exclaimed that his article on Samoa in the
CenturV Magazine was written long before
be was nominated as a deega to the con-
ference, and that after his nomination he
tried 10 withdraw the article, buJ in vain,
as thou auds Of copies had been pri1ted.
Prince Bismarck showed perfect familiarity
with the Samoan que ton, He expressed
hope that the conference would be brief.
He frequently referred 10 the diplomatic
and pariam ntary experience Of Messrs.
Kasson and Phelps. The first sitting was
te'd at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at the
foreign Office.
COUNTING ON HARMONY.
Copyrighted 1889 By the Neto York associated
Press.
BERLIN. April 27.-Tbe members Of the
c mmission 10 consider questions concern
ing Samoa, h We seen Prince Bismarck and
Count Herbert Bismarck. The former
oriefy exi ressed his confidence that the
confere &c would be harmoniou'. The for
eign office appears to be assured OF an
l. - .s,ks.
The commission, however, expects that
the sitting will be protracted for several
months, especially if charges against COR
respondent Klein involving claims against
the Washington governme t are brought
up. Pr CO Bismarck cerbsiulv intends to
ley tire evidence of Herr Brandeis, Consul
KnapLe and others before the conference,
but he has abandoned claims flr indemnity
arising from Klei S action. This co Icession
ought 10 shorten the proceedings.
CLAIMS AGAINST sAMoANs.
The claim against Samoans for plunder-
ing Ge man traders and planters will be
maintained. There is reason to believe that
England approves the principle of the Ger
man demands, and it is trusted tn It the
Americ An delegates are empowered to ad-
nj. It, The question of inden ity is not
likely to give r.s9 to any disagreement, be-
ing merely question as 10 the
accuracy of the claims presented.
The foreign Offices melted of levy
presents liifi 'ulties From the nature Of
Ire communications between Count Her
bert Bismarck and the Humburg firms in-
JoresJed in Samoa it is surmIsed that the
ind mnity vii. take the form of al extended
land concession, supervised by a land court
composed of representa- ives fro N Samoa
aid Germany, England and the United
States.
BAYARD's PLAN WON'T STAND.
Secretary Bay ird's scheme Of govern
lneut, v mich includes a royal council and
legislature composed Of two houses, in
hich the hree powers will be represe tied,
viii not be entertained, Prince Bismarck
ldhering to he principle of non-interve-.-
tlou with the local government.
Official papers rather affect Indifference
toward the conference. The Cologne
Gazette brify concludes that a fayorab
re.l.ti already assured. A strongly phrased
article in the Magdeburg Gazette, a national
il era pape' is in marked contrast with
the reserved tone Of the general pre- S. This
paper deca es that German honor requires
'he punishment of the assailants Of Dec. 49,
s.d demands protection for planters and
FOR the permanent settlement If the whole
Sonoan group on the lines followed by
England IL Egypt. Ia its expansive chau-
Finem The article misrepresents both Off
'ai nd public feeling.
Count Herbert Bismarck after an in
'or,nal greeting 20 the American delegates,
held an official reception to all the commis-
lolers. The programme has been arranged
'oI tne openl 6 Of the conference on Mon
lay. NessTs. Kasson and Phelps, have al
.eadv made favorable i'm ression on the
Ierna1 and English officials. The idea
4reFa'la in the foreign office that M.
Fhe ps will become chief OF tae American
delegation.
GOES BACK on HIS ARTICLE.
Mr. Bates explained to Count Herbert
5smarcs that since the public tion OF the
o'1oial dispatches in tie white book, whcn
loved the tlrude of the German govern
Lent, bis article in the Century magazine,
wien be bad written as private aud IN
'li1rnsd person, had lest all is point.
ne sad that he had the utmost esteem for
1efnauy, 70 which country America owed
much No hing was further from his
thoughts than to wound either the Ger
,aA 'S1on or the German government.
Mr' ba'e' said he desired that this state
mort Ne published. and he trusted that it
"olo icmovo entirely any i'll feeling to-
Ince Bismarck will remain in Berlin
hl'e form.