The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-22
Another Conference Between Secre-
tary Hay, DIR. Won HOlIeben and
Sir Julian PauncefOte.
STATEMENT BY DR.. HAMANN
REGARDING GERMANY,s OFFICIAL
REPORT ON THE TROUBLE.
Interviews with Henry Ide, Former
Chief Justice of Samoa, and
DIR. II. Il. Chambers.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-The German
ambassador, DR.. Won Holleben, called on
| Secretary Hay at the State Department to-
day and presented two important dispatches
from the German government relating to
the critical condition of affairs in Samoa.
Following this an extended conference was
held between Mr.. Hay and the ambassador,
and then between Mr.. Hay and the British
ambassador Sir Julian Pauncefote The
dispatches communicated by the German
ambassador dealt not only with the question
of policy involved, but are understood to
have presented in detail the facts of the re-
cent collision in Samoa, as viewed from the
German standpoint. They differ in many
essential particulars from the statements
made heretofore. 1t was stated, after the
several conferences, by a diplomatic official
high in authority that the latest aspects of
the case were such as to make peaceful
adjustment possible and even probable. A
strong impression prevails in diplomatic
quarters that Germany would repudiate the
action of her consul at Samoa, if indeed
she has not already laid the foundation for
this line of action. 1t was stated positively
in authoritative quarters that the United
States government had not yet made pro-
test either alone or in conjunction with
Great Britain.
1t can be stated authoritatively tonight
that if the published reports of the events
at Apia are true, that the acts OF the Ger
man consul Rose, and of the president OF
the municipal council, Raffel, were not the
result of instructions from the German gov
ernment, and so far as these acts were vio-
lative of the treaty of Berlin. it is not be-
lieved at the State Department that they
will receive the approval of the German
government.
While the situation is regarded officially
as requiring delicate treatment, one Of the
parties to the exchanges that are taking
place is authority for the opinion that it will
certainly yield to calm discussion and that
a satisfactory understanding will be the
outcome This is presuming that the mat
ter can be handled entirely by the govern
ments of the three countries, either through
their Foreign Offices or their ambassadors.
The danger apprehended is the irresponsible
action of some minor officials away off in
Samoa beyond the immediate control of the
authorities at Berlin, Washington and Lon
DON
So far as the last report indicates, the
issue between the German representatives
and the American and British representa-
tives in Samoa had certainly not developed
beyond a point where it could be readily
adjusted upon a mere statement of the
actual facts, for it is still believed that all
the parties to the treaty are willing to live
up to it's provisions, which, Of course would
involve readiness to disavow any improper
action on the part of their respective agents,
and even go further and undo so much OF
the mischief already done by them as IL
might be possible to reach.
Assuming that the trouble at Apia has
passed its acute stage, and that it will be
adjusted satisfactorily. by such measures as
are required, there will remain for treat
ment in the immediate future the treaty
relations of the three powers relative to
Samoa. The condition precedent to any ac-
ton looking to amendment of the treaty OF
Berlin or its abrogation. is that fits pro-
visions must be lived up to meanwhile; upon
that point our government is settled, and
the British government can be reckoned up-
on to take the same view. The State De-
partment always has been ready to consider
favoraby any suggestion looking toward
the change OF the Berlin treaty to meet
next exigencies, asking only that the
changes be made in the lawful method &nd
resisting the attempt to secure certain e-
suits desired by mere UNDERSTANDINGS ~
tween two of the three parties to the treaty
While it is admitted here that Germany NAV
truthfully claim a preponderating owner
ship Of individual land owners, yet by the
terms of the treaty of Berlin, the exact and
equal right of each of the three powers i'm
all political matters is expressly defined, and
1t cannot be questioned now or at any time
before the amendment of the treaty
In a reliable diplomatic quarter It was
~srf1
We're now in possession of reports from
their several representatives in Samoa, but
there having been delays. the reports are
incomplete on important details Germany
has been able to secure the fullest infor-
nation. IN the main the official dispatches
bear out the press reports, although the
German position that the consuls of the
three governments acted together in declar-
ing a provisional government differ from
the other reports.
The conferences between Secretary Hay
and the British ambassador have led to a
very full discussion of the mutual interests
of the two governments concerning Samoa.
Thus far, however, Sir Julian Pauncefota
has not received any instructions as to act
ing Jointly with this government. and the
conferences have been simply to discuss 4
question in which both officials felt a COM
mon interest. II may be sald also, that
this has developed an entire accord be-
tween the secretary OF state and the Britt
ish ambassador as 10 the rights and duties
involved and the probable line OF action
OF the several parties
AT the several large embassies most di-
reetly interested, the opinion is quite posi-
lively expressed that the situation does not
have warlike aspect. 1t was pointed out
bv one official that the Erobable coursa