Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-21
SAMOAN TREATIES.
A STATEMENT or THE BASIS FOB DIS
CUssr0H PREPARED.
The Conferences Likely to BE q Short one IL
Itis Accsptsd-Ths Press Law In
the Rsichsta9.
copyrighted. 1899, By the New York Associated
Press

copyrighted. 1899, BY The New York Associated
Pressl
BERLIN, April 20.-Count Herbert Bis
marck has prepared G statement for the
Samoan conference as a basis for discussion.
It hiss been submitted 10 and approved by
Sir Edward Malet. the British Ambassador,
who, in all probability. was consulted while
II was Deing drafted. II the American COM
mssioners accept the statement the confer
ence ought not 10 last more than week. Ger
many comedies the principle OF absolute
n0n-interIeTence In Samoa, and the natives
are to be left free TO choose as
their ruler either SIalletoa, Tsmssese.
or Mataaia. No claims for compensation
Tor the German subjects are mentioned
in the statement, and practically the work OF
the conference IA limited to defining ex.
plicitlv the powers OF the consuls IN re-
gulating trade and the shipping boundaries
Of and the rights over Pago Pago and other
yictuallng stations and the formation OF a
tribunal for the protection and trial OF for
eigners. he foreign office here think that
Prince Bsmarck's ee0sure OK Consul
Knappe and his declaration that Germany
docs MOI desire TO meddIe with the In
tern ltioual affairs OF Samoa combined
with the proposals to be placed be-
fore the samoan conference, furnish
ample proof that Germany earnestly
wishes 10 conclliate the American Govern
ment. At the same time It is regretted that
the American Government ignored dlpl0-
matte etiquette in sending delegates who are
personally preiudiced on the questions 10 be
laid before the conference. Nothing OF this
feeling, however, will be shown toward
Messrs. Bates and Sewall, who will meet with
a cordial greeting from Count Herbert Biz
marck on their arrival on Thursday. SIR
Edward Malet, the British Ambassador here,
has asked Lord Salisbury to send Mr.. Scott.
the British Minister at Berne, as delegate to
the Samoan conference. Mr.. Scott was for
merly secretary OF the British embassy in
Berlin, and ia thoroughly eonyersant with
the Samoan treaties aud colonial matters
generally.
Although the Reichstag has taken a recess
a keen and excited discussion 10 going on In
the press In regard TO the threatened press
law and workmen's insurance measures.
The reaction OF the Nationals against the
Government is becoming more marked, and
a division In the Centre party on the ques'
ton Of press repression IL becoming wider.
one group goes the length OF denOuncing
the Governments Intervention with the
press or with the Socialists, and Will
support the Progressists IN their demand for
the abolition Of the anti-SOcalist law. The
other urges the necessity OF giving the
Government the means 10 combat the re7o-
lutionary propaganda. The Government,
dreading the result under the existing dis
ruption OF toe groups, will, II Is expected,
postpone the discussion OF the press mea-
sure. The Progressives are therefore pre-
psring 10 raise the question of the rights oil
the press through the proposal thar the
state become liable for the UNDERWRITING OF
the iournsls that NAV &c suspended or sup
pressed without the sanction OF the legal
tribunal
The coming period OF the session before
the Whilsuntlde adjournment promises
fierce debates and critical party develop
ments. Liebkuecht, Grilenberger, Schu-
macher, and Harm are involved in the prose
cution impending against l0S Socialists as
m mbers Of d secret society. The proseeu'
tons do not impede the electoral preparations
Of the Socialists, who are now ieyerlshly
active throughout the empire.
Everywhere new wOrkmen's associations
are forming. and already numerous csndi'
dates have been selected. The striking Cha
acteristic OF the movement Is the spread OF
the canvass beyond the towns into the coun'
try. Short electoral tly,sheeis written in
clear style denouncing the landowners art
widely distributed among the peasantry.
Chaplain SiOecker ls practically suspended
from The functions OF court preacher. His
ireUds assert that his Ielef Is temporary
aud that he has assurance OF The sympathy Of
toe Emperor himself.
SignOr Crispi and Admiral Brin vii
accompany King Humbert to Berlin. Tat
party will stay here week.
The revised court suit includes powdered
periwig. Dress rehearsals Of the chefs o
the imperial household displayed the SUIT
with fine effect.
The Emperor In ordering tr0sseau 10
| Princess SOphia. sister Of the Empress, wh'
is 10 be married to Prince Frederick Leo
pold. aud that Of his own sister, Princes
| Sophia, who is 10 be married TO the Duk
! " Sparta, stipulates that they shall be en-
| tirely OF German manufacture; especially
| forbids the use of any French silk, lace
! linen, or other material. The Berlin mil
liners are IN a rush OF business. All th
members OF the imperial family will max
presents OF jewelry, which have been or
dered IN Germany.
Arrangemenis for the visit to Berlin o
! Emperor Francis Joseph have been stopped
Since her sojourn 1T Ischl the condition o
the Empress has slightly improved. Pro
fessor KrOft Ebing. an expert in neryou
diseases, who attended the Duchess OF Cum
berland while she was insane, has charge 0
the Empress. He predicts gradual ame
! Iteration OF her condition.
The Catholic Congress at Vienna will opel
| on tie 10Th. There will be three slttings
Five committees will be appointed TO con
slider social, scientific, educational, press
and political subjects. This congress ha
been held for fifteen successive years.
The Supreme Ecclesiastical Council hs
! forbidden Chaplain Stoecker TO speak at 20
lucal meetings.