Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-15
THE SAMOAN CONFERENCE.
The Protocol Signed-Eminently Satisfac-
tory TO Our Cabinet.

n
BERLIN. June 1.-THE Samoan confe-
renee met az 3 o'clock this afternoon. IL
is understood that the American commits
eioners have withdrawn their objections to
certain provisions of the protocol. The
agreement negotiated by the commission
ers for the settlement of tho affairs in
Samoa was signed by all the members OF
the conference this afternoon.
Dispatches from Bremen state that Mr..
William Walter Phelps. one of the Amerl-
can commissioners TO the conference, VIII
sail from that port for New York on the
North-German Lloyd steamer Fulda to-
morrow.
The Samoan treaty will not be published
till signed by the American representa-
t.yes.
WHAT Is SAID OF IT IN BERLIN.
BERLIN, June A.-America having aban-
doncd her principal objections to the
agreement previously arrived at the plenl-
potentiaries had only 10 make unessentlal
notifications in the wording of the draft
Of the treaty. The draft guarantees an au-
tonomous administration of the islands
under Joint control Of Germany and Anne
RIGA, England acting As arbitrator IN the
event of difference arising. The Sa-
means are 10 elect their own king and
yicerOy and 10 be represented in Senate
composed Of the principal chiefs ana
chambers elevated by the people. Samoa
is TO have the right Of levying duties OF
every kind. Tho treaty also stipulated
that the Germans should receive q money
indemnity for their losses. A special court
viii be appointed TO deal with the king
question. Tho Americans made thor adj
heei0n conditional ON the ratification OF
the treaty 10y the United States Senate.
The status q1iO Will therefore obtain IN Sa-
m0a until December. Mr.. Phelps viii carry
The treaty 10 Washington.
WASHINGTON, June H.-lnformstiOn has
been received at the State department
that the Samoan treaty was oibclally rati-
fed this morning at Berlin. The announce
mcnt was made az the Cabinet nectln. by
Secretary Blaine. and il was agredd that 1t
was cminently satisfactory TO our Govern
mcut IN its final shape.
Little additional information could be
cleaned at the State Department respect
ng the treaty. Indeed, Il was not posi-
BE to learn whether the paper drawn up IS
regarded AT the department rs a treaty, and
tins rather important point IS TO be lett
unsettled. II Il IS a treaty the department
cannot divulgc the nature OF the paper
inst signod until il is acted upon 10y the
senate. but ID II j. regarded as an inter
national agreement the information as 10
its contents can and viii be made public.
d is known that the matter ha,
been the subject of discussion in the de-
prtmeut for q few days past. The officials
whose opinions are entitled 10 weight VIII
not undertake % give . formal definition
of the difference between treaty and an
agreement. UuOfficiallv, however. II Is SAID
that an agreement concerns private rights
only. while q treaty relates to the puhnc
welfare In support of this definition II
Il an
was mad with the Spanish Government Tor
he settlement of number OF private
claims. This WAS not sent 10 the senate,
tud Was regarded as au agreement. al
though the State Department did not es-
ape adverse criticism at the time for with
holding is. In the present case. however,
the best opinion lnclines 70 the beilet that
the arrangement made is treaty which
must be- submitted 20 the Senate for ratiti-
cation. and that the State Department Is
inclined 10 this view is patent from the fact
that the officials refuse 10 say anything OF
the understanding reached.
The agreement between England. Ger
many. and the United states Oh Samoan
affairs was signed az Berlin az O'Clock IN
the afternoon. II viii not be made pubic
until confirmed los the Senate. hllc 1t Is
called an agreement by the officers Of the
State Department Walker Blaine said this
evening that he thought 1t would undoubt-
eddy require ratification 10y the Senate. If
the instrument signed was one regulating
the conduct Of the two countries towards
each other. as, for instance, between the
United States and Samoa. it would proper
" toe designated as a treaty. but whore the
instrument signed Is 10 shape the conduct
of the three governments towards fourth
party Samoa it is held that its proper no.
menclaturc is an agreement. At the same
time. a. H. is a matter affecting the foreign
policy Of tho United States, it is said that it
viii need ratification bythc Senate. and that
therefore it cannot Doe made public prior To
the action by the Senate. The agreement
was cordially approved by all members Of
the conference and by their respective gov
eruments. The best OF feeling prevails at
the termination of the labors Of the COM
ulSSlOnCrS.