The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-11
SAMOAN COMMISSION.
United States Will Be Represented
b" Bartlett TTlpp.


mas selected Bartlett Trip OF Yankton.
8. D.. formerly minister TO Austria, as
the United States representative on the
Samoan Joint commission.
Mr.. Tripp Is at present at Yanlton, s.
ID. The officials OF the state department.
say that he is as well fitted for the mis-
sion as any person who could have been
named outside OF the state department
proper Mr.. Tripp will be 'called TO
Washington Immediately 10 receive his
instructions, for our government il dis
posed 10 assent to the desire OF the Ger
man government that the commission
shall proceed TO the scene Of activity at
the earliest possible moment. Mr..
Eliot, the British commissioner. is al
ready in this city. and IT may be that he
will proceed to Samoa in company with
Mr.. Tripp and also the German repre-
sentative Secretary Hay has not been
informed Of the personality OF the Ger
man commissioner. but IL is conjectured
that the German government will follow
the example set by the British govern
ment and name one OF the secretaries OF
the embassy in Washington to facili-
tate the speedy departure OF the com
missioners.
The commissioners will not 60 to
Samoa equipped with Identical instruc-
tions. This is a matter OF regret here.
but IL Is felt to be inevitable IL the parties
10 the pending negotiations persist in
their present attitude. In such case the
proceedings of the commission will be
ed referendum. the body having little
power itself, but all OF its acts being
subject 10 the approval Of the principals.
The German proposition is to authorize
the commissioners TO deal with the situa-
tion as they find IL. but under the limi-
tation that they must be unanimous in
ordering action. But IL is apprehended
that arriving at Apia the commissioners
will instantly take positions in support
OF their respective consuls and thus lead
to deadlock.
The state department has been notified
that the German government raises the
question OF legality OF all that has been
done at Apsa since the middle OF March.
This IN an intimation that IL wishesSto
restore the status at that date when, ac-
cording TO the state department reports.
the provisional government. erected
through the efforts OF the German Of
ficials, Rose and Raffel. controlled every
thing. This state OF affairs Admiral
Kautz considered 10 be in absolute viola
ton OF the Berlin treaty.
II there should be any attempt to re-
vert to preceding conditions the United
States government would insist that IL
be TO a period anterior to this date. and
that the only status 10 be recognized be
that existing at the beginning OF Febru-
ho,, tnf In
Chambers, in the exercise, as II is as
serted. of his function under the treaty
OF passing spon all questions as TO the
succession TO the throne Of Samoa, de-
clared Mataafa ineligible and Malietoa
Tanus TO be king.
BaNbn Won Sternberg. first secretary
OF the German embassy. is being re-
ferred TO as quite likely TO be the Ger
man high commissioner. He left here
10 days age for London and Berlin. but
he returned unexpectedly Sunday, and
the impression prevails that he comes
back TO take this place. The commits
sion may leave San Francisco on May 19,
which will give six weeks for the franz
ing OF joint instructions.
Bartlett Trlpp was born at Harmony,
Me-, July Il. 1899. He attended the dis
trict school until 10 years OF age, then
taught school and earned the means with
which furth~r to pursue his studies. In
1857 he entered Waterville college, but
left in his senior year. and in 1851 went to
California. He was engaged in survey
ing, teaching and studying law in Cali
fornia, Nevada and Utah for four years.
In 1856 he took the law course at Albany,
and was admitted to the bar He began
practice at Augusta Me. but in 1865 re-
moved permanently to Dakota. He con-
tinued the practice of his profession at
Yankton. and acquired large law busi-
ness He has made fortune as counsel
for corporations and in successful real
estate ventures. Ia 1873 he was an un-
successful cSadidate for congress. and in
1883 was delegate 10 the first constitu-
tional convention OF the territory. He
was elected president OF that body. and
in December. 1885, was appointed by
President Cleveland chief justice of the
supreme eetfft pt4 ietts Ia rfstei post
ton he continued TO serve until the di-
vision og the territory and its admission
into the Union. During the long struggle
in South Dakota In 1921 for the election
OF "A United states senator. MIR. Tripp
was a prominent candidate. The indie
pendent Mr. Kyle. was finally elected.
Mr.. Trips views. while Democratic,
were indorsed by many of the indepen-
dents Mr. Cleveland during his second
term Of office appointed him TO ed
Fred Grant as minister TO Austria
Hungary. He was succeeded in that
Office in 1897 by Charemagne Tower.
GERMANY HOLDING BACK.
London. April ll.-Germany, according
10 the Rerlin correspondent of The