The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-30
NO FEAR OF A CLASH.
Our Offlcials Do Not Anticipate Trou
BILE with Germany.

Our Off1cials Do Not Anticipate Trou-
BILE With Germany.
Washington, March 30.-rhe news
from Samoa that United States and
British cruisers had bonlbarded the
towns held by Mataafa, who has thus
far had the official support Of the Ger
man government, came with startling
suddenness to officials here. The she'll
ing of Mataafa was looked upon as of
secondary Importance, but the deepest
interest attached to the attitude of the
German government. At first apprehen-
sions were felt that grave international
complications might ensue. But those
most intimately familiar with the latest
official exchanges between Washington,
London and Berlin did not take such Il
gloomy view of the outlook. While rec
ognzng that the bloodshed at Samoa
created a very serious and delicate sit
uati0n, yet it was said to be d situation
which had been clearly apprehended and
had been discussed in advance between
the representatives of three governments.
The real crisis from an international
standpoint occurred last week, when
this apprphendcd outbreak was discuss
ed. Although relations were greatly
strained, il was possible to secure AN
understanding which is said to MAKE
sure that the outbreak now reported Will
not cause rupture in the relations be-
tween the United States and Germany,
or between Great Britain and Germany.
That some overt act would take place
has been apprehended for many days,
but there was little idea it would take
broad sweep and lead to such heavy
loss of life. In this aspect of the case
the actual results were regarded as far
more serious than these which had been
expected and provided for during the
recent diplomatic exchanges between the
three governments. Moreover, new elc
ments of international danger had I'M
expectedly arisen. These included the
proclamation of the German consul,
Rose which it is believed tended to in
cite the Mataafa party to an open re-
volt; also the wounding and killing Of
British sailors and marines. the shoot
ing of an American sentry and the at
tacks on the several consulatcs. These
all invoke unknown possibilities Of seri-
Gus complication.
The diplomatic exchanges leading up
to this crisis have been very sharp with
in the last few days. Early last week
the Berlin government received direct
information from Samoa tAAt Admiral
Kautz had arrived there and had sum
moned a meeting of all the officials for
March II. The German authorities fe!.
sure this meeting would result in serl-
Gus trouble. The Berlin foreign Office
| therefore, instructed the German ambas-
sador here, DR.. Won Holeben, to pre-
sent note embodying Gernany's views.
| II argued that naval commander had
no right to act save in executing the will
! of the three cUnsuls, acting unanimously,
and not through majority. But aside
from this argument the German not"
! minated quite plainly that Germany
would hold the other governments re
sponSblc fiserious trouble resulted from
the action Of the naval authorities III
| Samoa The strained conditions caused
! by this note were somewhat allaycd by
the answer Of the state department.
which was friendly and rcassurng, al
though it made plain that the American
naval commander would act in an cme:,
gcncy. even though the consuls were not
unanimous in requesting action. 1t Is
Just such an emergency that has now
occurred in Samoa.
There is no apprehension here that an
actual clash will occur with the German
civil or naval forces in Samoa. This
is due mainly to the official understand
ing that Germany has given pOstiv,
orders to the commander of the German
warship Fake to refrain from any ac
| five move,