Evening star., 1899-04-01
THE SAMOAN CRISIS
United States and Germany Have
Reached an Understanding.
JOINT HIGH COMMISSION 70 ACT
Belief That England Will Join
in the Proposition.
MR.. WHITE VISITS EMPEROR

BERLIN, April 1.-The correspondent
here of the Associated Press learns author
itatively that after the acting minister of
foreign affairs, Baron Won Richthoffen, had
been closeted with the emperor today the
United States ambassador, Mr.. Andrew D.
White, passed an nour at the foreign office.
1t is generally believed that an under
standing has been reached which is likely
to bring about an anicable and satisfac-
tory solution of the whole Samoan diff
Guilty.
1t is understood that, while the United
States and Great Britain have steadily de-
clined to accept Germany's two previous
proposals, new one has been accepted by
all three powers
According to a high German official the
American explanations have been found
satisfactory and the accepted proposal
consists in sending commission of in
vestigatiOn to Samoa
Reason for Ambassadors Whites Call.
The new proposal referred to in the Rer-
lin dispatch as having been accepted by all
three governments is that for a Joint high
commission that being the only proposition
now pending.
foreign Office was doubtless to express the
favorable view which this government
takes OF the proposed settlement. The
BRUSH government has not yet signified it's
formal acceptance, although. in the alb
sence of Lord Salisbury, the acting officials
OF the foreign Office take such favora BILE
view that British acceptance is considered
assured. The British characteristic of ma
ture delberatlon is asserting itself how
ever. and for this reason it is thought that
maj acceptance may be deferred for some
days. 1t was remarked today in high
!, ulpiofhatlc quarter that there was no need
OF hurry IN the matter. now that the three
governments had shown disposition to get
together. as it would take almost three
months for the high commission 10 assem-
pie IN samoa and begin work. This time it
was point out, would be REQUIRED for the
selection of the men. the preparation OF
tllelF Instructions, the conferences and
STUDY gwen to the question and the long
journeys to Samoa.
The American government has made No
explanations to Germany regarding anv
feature OF the Samoan affair, save to show
Lat WLat was the American position. This gov
erhmeut has not thought its action renrijra1
any explanation, further than to exnrsss re-
sret that there had been Il collision at Sa
tilod' Al the same time, the opinion is eX-
Pressed that there would have been no hos
TIE action had not the American authorities
al samoa feIt 1t was in1pcrative
ms hish commission it is felt affords a
Pacinc solution to the whole trouble at the
moment When Samoan affairs began to
look the most threatening
Working Out the Details,
The new plan has been fully gone over
py secretary Hay and the British and
German ambassadors here, and it's essen
IaI details worked out. Each nation is to
be represented by one member on the COM
mission. 1t is to have practically unlimited
authority, without the necessity of refer
ring its decisions back to the several gov
ernments for approval. 1t is felt that bv
comforting such complete and final author
lty on the high commission the danger will
be obviated OF any further deadlocks and
delays.
Still another important provision under
consideration is that King Oscar of Nor
way and Sweden shall be the umpire in
case the three high commissioners shou1d
fail to reach a determinations King Oscar
is mentioned in the treaty of Berlin as the
one to name chief justice of Samoa in
case the three signatory powers fail to
agree on a chief justice.
1t was this that led to the suggestion Of
his name at the present time to act as
final arbitrator.
VIII Sit in Samoa.
The expectation is that the sittings cf the
commission will be in Samoa where, for
the time being. they Will have complete
authority ever the whole range Of Samoan
affairs, so far as the high commission may
think tit to act in order TO fully restore
order and establish affairs on a stable
basis 1t will require no treaty to bring
the commission into existence, as the ac-
ceptances of the United States and Great
Britain will complete the agreement
The men selected for the mission will be
OF nigh standing, so as TO give added
weight and dignity to their findings, such,
for instance, as the consul general of Ger
many, whose jurisdiction covers the whole
range of Pacific affairs. The United States
and British commissioners, it is understood
would be drawn from the same high rank
with view, however, to their information
on International matters Of this character
rather than their political standing.
The German Ambassador Calls.
The German ambassador, DR.. Won Hole
ben, called at the State Department at noon
and had a fifteen minute conference with
Secretary Hay. This nature of the confer
ence was not disclosed, but it was taken
fer granted that it had to do with the
Samoan settlement. The German author
tiles have heard nothing further as to the
collision in Samoa