Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-31

OFFICIAL ADVlCES COINf Inn
ING THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCHES A BELATED
CABLEGRAM FROM ADMIRAL
KAUTZ.
Washington, March 30.-The serious
condition of affairs in Samoa engaged
the attention Of officials throughout to-
day and there were conferences at the
White House between the President
and Secretary Hay and at the State De-
partment between the Secretary and
British Ambassador and Baron Sheck
Won Sternberg, first secretary OF the
German embassy.
But out of it all not word of addi-
from any official source. The only au-
thoritative statement came from the
Navy Department, giving a brief dis
patch from Admiral Kautz. This
threw no light on the latest outbreak,
and owing to a tangle of dates it serv-
ed only to further involve the Official
mystery. In view of the fact that the
fighting was widespread and long con-
tinued, and that the foreign offices at
London and Berlin had been officially
advised of the affair, it was regarded
as somewhat strange that the State
and Navy Departments should be en-
tirely without information on a bonn
bardment by an American admiral.
Up to the close of Office hours it was
stated that nothing had come from any
of our representatives in Samoa deal
ing with the outbreak of hostilities.
The calls of Sir Julian and Baron
Sternberg were mainly for informa-
ton, for at neither Of the embassies
had there been a report of the occur
renee or instructions up to the time of
the calls.
The events carry out what has been
anticipated and give basis for intel
ligently considering the further joint
action of the United States and Eng
land in the complete settlement of the
entire Samoan trouble.
AS to the German attitude, it is sta
ted positively in a quarter thoroughly
familiar with German official sentiment
that the outbreak now reported can IN
der no circumstances be construed as
an overt act against Germany nor as
casus belli. This is from such source
that it largely removes the possibility
of international complications. AS an
evidence of the conciliatory sentiment
of the German government, it is said
to-day that the note delivered to the
State Department last week urged III
benalf OF the German government thai
the good relations existing between tWC
such nations as the United States anC
Germany would not be interrupted by
a matter of such comparative unim-
pOrtance as an official dispute IN
Samoa.
From the German standpoint, the
most serious aspect is that the bonn
bardment will excite public feeling Oh
both sides OF the water, leading to pop
ular outbursts, which will overcome
the efforts to secure a settlement.
One of the latest propositions toward
a settlement is that three commissions
be appointed, one from each country
to meet in Samoa and sit as a court OF
settlement of the difficulty.
Admiral Kautz acted within his in
cfpratinnc If i- believed bo oor
Guided, after consultation with Captain
Sturdee, of the Porpoise, the senior
British naval officer, and United States
and British consuls, that state of an
archy existed which called for action
The fact that the edicts of the chiet
justice were disragarded and were ig-
nored, although sustained by the rep
resentatives of the two governments
made such course imperative. There
is no doubt, with the facts now at hand
that Admiral Kautz will be sustained
by the United States government.
Assistant Secretary Allen has issued
the following statement:
The latest dispatch from Admiral
Kautz is as follows:
Auckland, March %.
Secretary of Navy, Washington.
Situation is improving since tele-
gram of 18th via Sydney, New South
Wales.
(Signed) KAUTZ.
This is the only dispatch received
from Admiral Kautz at the Navy De-
partment, Assistant Secretary Allen
says. AS will be observed, it contains
no details concerning the reported
trouble at Apia.
There is considerable mystery sur
rounding the statement given out to-
day and the explanation offered, as ii
seems almost inconceivable that the
Admiral should have made no detail
ed report of the stirring events which
were occurring during the eight DAYS
prior to the departure of the dispatch
from Apia.
THE NEWS CONFIRMED.
London, March 30.-The British for
eign Office has received official dis
patches confirming the dispatches oil
The Associated Press from Apia
Samoa, announcing the outbreak OF
hostilitieS there.