The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-01

Washington, March 31.-A joint high
commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically agreed
upon by the United States, British and
German governments. Lord Salisbury's
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain,
though in his absence Sir Thomas San
derson and Mr.. Villiers. who are under
stood to be specially familiar with the
Samoan question, have approved the
plan for a commission.
The United States has informally eX-
pressed its approval, and the formal ac-
ceptance it is learned from the highest
quarter, will follow speedily. AS the
proposition emanates from Germany,
her approval Of course is assured. This
high joint commission, it is felt, affords
pacific solution to the whole trouble
at the moment when Samoan affairs
began to look the most threatening.
The new plan has been fully gone over
by Secretary Hay and the British and
German ambassadors here and its es-
sential details worked out. Each nation
is to be represented by one member on
the commission. 1t is to have practical
Iy unlimited authority without the
necessity of referring its decisions back
to the several governments for approx
al. 1t is felt that by comforting such
complete and final authority on the high
commission the danger will be obviated
Of another deadlock and delays.
Still another imDOrtaQt provision
under consideration is that King Oscar
Of Norway and Sweden shall be the UNI
pire in case the three high commission
ers should fail to reach a determination.
The plan of inviting King Oscar to ref
cree a disagreement meets the approval
of the British and German authorities,
and doubtless will be approved also by
the United States as a means Of ensur-
ing finality of the decision. though 1t is
not known Just how far this has been
considered by the Washington authori-
ties
King Oscar was agreed upon between
the United States and Great Britain as
final arbitrator In connection with the
proposed Anglo-American arbitration
treaty, as well as in the Venezuela mat
ter. He is also mentioned in the treaty
OF Berlin as the one to name a chief
justice of Samoa in case the three sig
natory powers fail to agree on chief
Justice 1t was this that led to the sug-
gestion of his name at the present time
TO act as final arbitrator.
The expectation is that the sittings
of the commission will be In Samoa,
where for the time being they win
have complete authority over the
whole range of Samoan affairs. so far
as the high commission may think mt
to act, in order to fully restore order
and establish affairs on a stable basis.
1t will require no treaty to bring tho
commission into existence. as the nc
ceptances Of the United States and
Great Britain will complete the agree
ment.
It is understood that the men select
ed for the mission will be of high
standing, so as to give added weight
and dignity to their findings, such, Tor
instance, as the consul general Of
Germany, whose jurisdiction covers the
whole range Of Pacific affairs He Is
man OF complete information upon
Samoan affairs. The United States and
British commissioners, It is understood.
would be drawn from the same high
rank with a view, however. to their
information on international matters OF
this character rather than their politi-
cal standing.
As showing that the acute phase OF the
Samoan question is passed Baron Speck|
Won Sternberg. first secretary Of Ger
many. left here tonight for New York
whence he sails on the 9Th for London
and Berlin He has been most &c
tive factor throughout the Samoan con-
troversy, having made that question a
speciaI study and thus being able 10
render the ambassador material assist
ance. His influence In all this should