The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-24
SAMOAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY
GERM1N AMBASSADOR CONFERS
WITH STATE DEPARTMENT..
As Result of Extended Dispatches from
His Government He Presents Long
NOte-Germnn Advices Confirm Com
voIsing of Meeting of Samoan Officials
by Admiral Kautz.


by Admiral Kautz.
Washington, March 2S.-The German
ambassador called at the state depart
ment to-day to further confer with the
officials concerning the Samoan situa-
ton. The Berlin authorities have COM
municated very freely on the subject
within the last few days, and as re-
suit of extended dispatches from the
foreign office the ambassador has pre-
sented long note covering the latest
that the German advices confirm the
arrival of Admiral Kautz and the con-
voking by him of a meeting of all the
officials on the 18th Inst. But they did
not show what resulted from the meet
ing The German view is evidently one
of apprehension lest serious results may
grow out of the meeting in which event
the German view is that the RESPONSE
bilities should be borne by those bring
ing about the meeting. Further than
| this, questions are arising as to the ex-
tent of authority of the British and
American consuls, acting together, to
do anything without the concurrence of
Consul Rose of Germany. The German
view evidently holds that the Berlin
treaty requires the three consuls to act
unanimously, Another question is as
to the right of a naval commander to
take any political action. The Berlin
treaty, in their view, would restrict the
rights of naval commanders within very
narrow limits leaving tham simply to
execute what the three conSuls by
unanimous agreement determined upon.
In view of the questions involved, news
of Admiral Kautz's action following
the meeting of the 18th inst. is awaited
with much interest.
Admiral Kautz has sustained fully
the action of the chief justice of Sa-
moa so far as his investigation has
gone. Ever since the first news of the
emeute at Apia last January the de-
partment of state, the German and
British governments have been sepa-
rately pursuing Investigations in the
matter and it was in pursuance of our
branch of the inquiry that Admiral
Kautz was sent to Apia. 1t is not un-
derstood that his investigation is COM
plete, but at the point where he stands |
he has felt obliged to sustain the con-
clusions reached by the United States
consul, Luther Osborn, and the chief |
justice himself. 1t also appears that |
these conclusions are in exact accord |
with those reached by the British ma
yyo NINA md Of ha
Porpoise, who was at Apia during the
outbreak and of Mr.. Maxse, the British
consul at Apia, who was also a partici-
pant. Thus there is an array of four
witnesses combined in their testimony,
while opposed to them is the German
consul, DR.. Rose. The German govern
ment is disposed to stand firmly in
support of its representative although
it has been intimated to 1t that by it's
Rose would facilitate sat
isfactory and speedy adjustment of the
complications in Samoa.
1t is manifestly impossible for the
United States to discredit its fepresen-
tative, its chief justice, or for the Brit
ish government to repudiate Mr. Maxse
in view of the weight of the testimony
in their favor, so that a practical dead
lock has been reached so far as this
matter of changing the representation
of the three powers concerned at Apia
is concerned. Our government knows
nothing as yet of the reported conbin-
ed protest of the German citizens of
Samoa against Mr.. Chambers. If the
German government cares to proceed
to that length it can, under the treaty
of Berlin, request the United States to
withdraw. But in accordance with the
provisions of the treaty If the United
States does not care to accede to this
Mr.. Chambers would continue
n office unless the German govern
nent manages to secure the approval
or it's application Of the British gov
In view Of the facts above stated this
S not likely to be had These condi
ions lead up to the belief that there
S some danger Of the repudiation of
he treaty Of Berlin, and in the present
emper of the parties it would not be Z
urprising if this happened without an
lttempt on their part to replace it. But
is believed that even in that event G
ONE manner of modus vivendi will be
rovlded to prevent another clash be-
ween the conflicting interests as han '
ened ten years ago. resulting in the r
reaty of Berlin.