Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
RAFFEL IN BERLIN.
ALLEGED CHANGE OF VIEW THERE
TOUCHING SAMOA.
THE GERMAN PRESS MOST BITTER,
IL IL Understood I'm Washington,
However, That the Three Powers
Are Near Complete Accord. and
That Commission VIII Soon start.

BERLIN. April 11-Dr Joannes Raffel
the former German President Of the Mu-
uicipal Council Of Apia, Samoa, has ar
rived here. and had several long confer
oncse with the officials of the German
Foreign once.
The Lokal Anzelger to-day prints an
interview with Or. Rafel in which he is
quoted as saying:
"Thc decision OF Chef-Justice Chambers
.n favor Of Tanus was partly due to the
fact that Mataafa is a Catholic, while
Tauus is a Proselyte Of the English mis-
si0nares.
"Mataafa is the only King the Samoans
viii tolerate"
SUDDEN CHANGE OF VIEW.
There has been a sudden veering Of
views upon the part Of both the Minister
az Foreign Affairs. Baron Won Buelow,
and the Emperor \ Foreign Office Off
cal said tonight 10 the correspondent
here ~ the Associated Press. in energetic
language that Germany, before engaging
ir au outlining OF the commissions work
must insist upon the American and Bril-
tsh governments Enthusiastically dsav0w-
ing The fragrant violations committed by
Admiral Kautz and Captain Sturdee. In
the absence Of a disavowal, for Germany
90 Join the commission would be a mere
farce lie added: when the commission
starts 10 must start on the status quo
lrf-' and not on a status created by
tto Illegal acts of subOrdinates in Sa-
moa.'
GERMANY DEMANDS SATISFACTION
More energetic still is the semi-ofiicial
announcement Of the Hamburg Core
srou1ent. which declares that 'if Eng
land and America do not heed the diplo-
matte rem0nstrances made in London and
Washington these remonstrances VIII be
fortified adding: Germany insists
upon receiving full satisfaction for the
number Of breaches committed in Sa-
mo4.'
The tone Of the German press during
the last two days has been most bitter.
ANNEXATION OF THE TONGAS
Inquiries made by the correspondent CT
the Associated Press at the Foreign
Office have elected the statement that
nothing is known Of the alleged British
annexation Of the Tonga Islands, and
81 SIS not believed such action has been
taken, as. it is claimed IL would DE
gross violation Of the Anglo-German
agreement of 1856
COMMISSION TO START AT ONCE.
WASHINGTON. April u.-As result
Of conferences held to-day at the state
Department and al the British Embassy.
efforts VIII be made 10 have the Samoan
High Commission make q quick trip
across the country reaching san Fran
cisco in time 10 catch the boat leaving
for Samoa one week from tomorrow.
4 MS is regarded as q distinctly favorable
turn IN the negotiations. and as indicating
that the three governments are very near
to a complete accord on al the points OF
tle commission. 10 does away also with
i.- reports that Germany was withhold
ING the appointment OF her commissioner,
.1 makes practically certain that Baron
oieok Won Sternberg. first secretary Of
te German Embassy here, will be the
German high commissioner.
so PROTEST AGAINST KAUTZ.
il was stated to-day, in an authoritative
garter. that reports Of a German pro-
iest against Admiral Kautz's course with
reference 20 the treatment Of the cruiser
fa.k. were unwarranted. All the nego-
'srons. It Is said in the highest Ger
man quarters. are Of such a character as
20 bring the governments more closely
together. instead Of separating them.
OUR POSITION.
AS 10 has been strongly minated In
ne Berlin dispatches that the German
Government was about TO make de-
man1 for q disayowal Of Admiral Kautz's
actions IL may be stated that our gov
eminent will certainly not accede TO any
such request in advance Of full under
standing Of all the facts In the case. and
conviction that the Admiral acted
wrongly the presumption always being
liat our officers have acted with due
Wopriety until the contrary IS shown 10
Do the case. II Admiral Kauiz found
Aataafa. the self-constituted King, with
.s thirteen chiefs. dominating the az
ia'rs OF the island, involving the suspen-
tpn or the functions Of the Supreme
court and Of the Municipal Council, for
naily and duly established by treaty,
lhcu 90 was his duty. according TO the
SItie Department. 10 bring the conditions
once into conformity with the treaty.
H llis involved the dissolution or the
PROVISIONAL government there can be no
.'kal complaint, 1t is said. by any one of
sNr three treaty Powers who have bound
themselves 10 carry out and maintain
me treaty Of Berlin.
KAUTZ'S PROCLAMATION
some surprise Is expressed by the De |
feilment officials at the mscOnception /
,N'ei lained in Germany Of the terms of !
,1Hlial kantz's proclamation, and 1t !
" pointed out that. according 10 the J
's'ms Of the proclamation. as printed