The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-13
CRUELTY SHOT DOWN IN AN AMBUSH
British and American Forces Surrounded on German
Plantation in Samoa by the Followers Of Mataafa
and Desperate and Bloody Fight Ensues.

to the nature Of the exchange that took
place.
The arrest and detention by the Brit
ish naval officers of German subject
is one of the most dangerous features
of the controversy. 1t is said that the
consuls of the three powers stationed at
Apia claim extra territorial Jurisdiction,
involving the right to try subjects of
the respective countries for any Of
fenses alleged to have been committed
Under this practice German Consul
Rose may demand the surrender of
the German. If the man is guilty it is
considered improbable that he will be
delivered except upon some adequate
guarantee that he is to be sufficiently
punished. 1t is not believed that Rose
will make such promise
1t is believed that Admiral Kautz,
with the cooperation of the British,
Will continue his efforts to bring the
rebellious natives to terms This is not
likely to be an easy task in view of the
somewhat small force at his command.
but it is said the British government
may accept the proposition of the au-
thorities of New Zealand to send a
regiment of soldiers to Samoa No pro-
test thus far has been lodged at the
state department against Admiral
KautZ.
At the British and German embassies
the news of the bloody conflict in Sa-
moa was received with deep concern.
Sir Julian Pauncefote expressed his
profound regret at the collision at a
moment when he had hoped the trouble
was in fair way to adjustment. Ger
man Ambassador DR.. Won Holleben
stated that while he was wholly with
out adVices he deeply regretted to hear
that there had been further loss of life.
In all diplomatic quarters there was
disposition to treat the news as grave,
but not as disrupting plans for settle
ment sharp difference has developed
between the British and German foreign
offices as to getting the high commits
sion off for Samoa on the 18th. Lord
Salisbury says the commissioners can
not be instructed by the governments
so as to get away on the 18th. The
British view is that there is no chance
of getting away until next month
The following official German view
was given to the associated press
After Germany and the United States
had arrived at such an understanding
that the commission could have left
San Francisco on the 10Th England
raises new difficulties of such compli-
Gated nature that they cannot be dealt
with telegra phcally. Germany feels
justified under these circumstances to
hold the name of her commissioner still
of Samoa is pending at present, not be-
tween the three powers, but between
Germany and England"
The president received the associated
press dispatches from Auckland soon
after he entered his office. Secretary
Long called with the cablegram from
Admiral Kautz. They remained in con-
ference less than half an hour. The sec
retary seemed to view the matter with
perfect equanimity and said that no
additional force would be sent to Apia
as our present strength there was DEEM
ed amply sufficient to meet the situa-
ton. The secretary also said that Ad-
miral KautZ's dispatch contained mat
ters not made public. but they We're of
no general interest. The dispatch. how
ever he said, contained no mention of
the ambush having been laid on the
plantation of any German
Members of the cabinet. in discussing
the event, said they saw no occasion
for public excitement. The United
States would protect her rights, but
until all the facts were known it was
certain that no aggressive steps would
be taken. 1t was further stated that
on the face of the records the German
government was not unfriendly to the
United States during our war with
Spain. and although certain German
officials may have shown a pronounced
sympathy with the Spaniards, nothing
had occurred that could officially be a
subject of complaint that had not been
promptly disavowed. Under these cir
cumstances it is pointed out that the
United States will not be disposed to as
sumo in advance of full information
that the German government is solely
responsible for the present disturbed
state of affairs at Apia. Members of
the cabinet We're not inclined to regard
seriously the intimation of some of the
German papers that the United States
should be required to disavow the acts
of Admiral KautZ.