The Portland daily press., 1899-01-20
GERMAN coNsUL's ACTIONS.
lie seems To BE Responsible For
Trouble In Samoa.

Lonuon, january l1-A epeoisl oespDtch
from Auckland, N. a.. says the British
and American consuis were compelled to
force the doors of the supreme court as
Apia, Samoa, in which the German con-
sui had established himself, and to push
him into the street.
All parties ut Apia, the despatch con-
tiDues, unite In oondomninR the German
consul for the lighting which has taken
place between the rival kings. IL lis
pointed out that In violation OF all agree.
ments tho consul accompanied Mataafa's
forces. when the.z claimant invaded the
town and encouia aged the opposition to
Malieota Ianus.
When the British and American con-
suls were informed as to the situation
they adjourned the court and locked ths
buildings.
The German consul then demanded the
keys. which were refused him. He then
broke open the doors, removed the locks
and replaced them with others. he sf.
terwards brought the German municipal
president into the chamber and tho latter
went upon tho balcony and shouted o the
British and American marines assent bled
on the square: AZ am the supreme court.
/ am the chief Justice.
The crowd replied with jeers and the
British consul demanded the keys Of
the building which were refused.
A Sootohman named Hackie thereupon
climbed on to the building and hoisted
the Samoan dag, while the British and
American cousuls and mum ssr OF ma
ries invaded the building, forced the doors
open and pushed the German consul into
the streets. Then the two corsu]s formai-
ly and legally, according TO tho special
despatch, opened the court and issued
warning against any further interfer-
ence with its jurisdi ction. threatening
to arrest any one attempting TO do 20.
Matters. Tho despatch concludes. are now
quiet and the German cor -ul remains in
his consulate.
Further particulars regarding the dis
turbances at Samoa show Mataaia's fol-
lowers numbered about 1000 men and that
the adherents OF Maiieota Janus were
only about 1000 in number.
There was two hours firing between
the rival forces, during which several of
the warriors we're decapitated.
The American consul issued proca-
nation claiming that she Berlin treaty
had the same force Rs a law of Congress,
and that an insult to the supreme oourt
of Samoa Is, therefore, equivalent to an
insult to the government at Washington.
PHILADELPHIA O.DERED TO SA-
MOA.
Washington, January l9-1he navy de-
partment has prepared orders for the
cruiser Philadelphia TO proceed to Sa-
moa at once to represent the United
States interests there.
Tbs Philadelphia is due at san Diego
next Sunday from Acapulco. Mean
while il any vessel more quickly avail
able can be found, one of Dewey's ueet
for instance, 1t will be ordered at once to
samoa to answer the urgent appeal of
the United States consul
Auckland il 1900 miles distant and this
lack of communication makes the situ-
alton more perilous than It would other
wise be.
The UniteI States, Great Britain and
Germany, 1t Is believed could easily reach
a satisfactory solution OF the crisis in
Samoa IL they could deal with tho subject
themselves in the usual course. but there
is some fear of Ill considered action on
the part of some of the agents of these
govern ments in Samoa before they can
receive Instructions from their govern
ments
The in tsrests of the United States are
in the hands of Mr.. Lloyd Osborne, in
whose discretion the state departmenu
reposes great confidence.
The Immediate effect Of the publica-
tinns In the morning papers OF the news
from Samoa was TO bring to the state
department Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
BRITISH ambassador, and Baron Speck
Won Sternbeg, secretary OF the 6erman
EN- bassy.
Under the st..ict rules laid down for
the government of diplomatic intercourse,
neither Secretary Hay ror the Two diplo-
matte representatives named, would say
anything whatever, as to the nature OF
the conversations that took place between
them.
The deepest concern is felt by all three
parties to the agreement ut the outlook.
PHILADELPHIA MAY NOT GO.
san Diego. Cal January lS Admiral
kautz landed today at Coronado from
the Philadelphia and was shown the
despatch stating that his vessel would be-
ordered to samoa, He said no such orders
had yet reached him and that 1t would
tie doubtful If the vessels would be sent
on 70 long a voyage in view of her present
condition, which be would make known
Co the department. He said her bottom
was foul and needed cleaning and repair
ing badly, as the speed of the ship was
reduced at least two knots thereby. The
vessel wouli have to go hrst to the dry
dock at san Francisco.
OFFICIAL NEWS FROM SAMOA.
Washington, January 10 1t was stat
ed at the department of state today that
dispatches hat been received from United
States Consul Osborn at kpia, but as TO
their nature, the officials had nothing to
say beyond that they went to confirm the
news dispatches printed this morning.
Admiral hautz, The commander OF the
pacihc station, is now on board his nag
ship, the Philadelphia. and it was stated
at tha navy department that he woult
accompany that ship 10 Samoa.
GERMANY sNIFFS TROUBLE.
Berlin, January 10 The news from
Samoa, has been received with forebod-
ing. The Lokal Anzeiger says:
"All this, doubtless. signifies au appre-
ciable quarrel and, with the unceremoni-
BUSINESS which the Americans have Affect
cd lately toward us, it may easily take
serious turn. The Samoan situation
has always involved a lurking danger.
The Nossische Zeitung says: "1he
situation will become even graver when
the American warsnip arrives at Apia.
1t Is said that the Washington depart
ment of state has instructed the United
States consul general there { Mr.. l.. ".
OshorD), not 10 trust the German consul.
Evidently the United States, who ara
least interested in Samoa among the
three powers, do not mean to respect
Gsrmany's paramount lnleres;s 6erInany
will have to show urmness all the IN ore