The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-31
CONFLICTING STATEMENTS.
The Department Officials Contradict
Themselves. Apparently.


Washington, March 30.-Assis,ant Sec
retpry Allen has issued the following
The latest dispatch from Admiral Kautz
is as follows:
Secret ry of the Navy Washington
Auckland. ~ a., March Estimation is
improving since telegram via Sydney. ~
S. W. Kautz.
This ls the only dispatch received since
Admiral Kautz left for Samoa, Secretary
Allen gays. AS will be observed it con-
tains no details concerning the reported
trouble at Apia. Even the date on which
it was dispatched from Apia is not given.
but 1t is presumed that il left Samoa on
the 23d, the date upon which the steamer
conveyed the press dispatch from Apin to
Auckland, N. Il.
The other dispatch was not given out al
the time Of It's receipt here and even now
Assistant Secretary Allen declines to make
II public.
There is considerable mystery surround
Ing the statement given out today. and
the explanation offered, as IL seems almost
inconceivable that the admiral should have
made no detailed report OF tho stirring
events which were occurring during the
eight days prior TO the dispatch OF the
message from Apla.
Admiral Kautz acted within his instruc-
lions. II Is believed that he concluded
after consultation with Captain Sturdee OF
the porpoise, the senior British naval Of
icer. and the United States and British
consuls, that a state OF anarchy existed
which called for action. The fact that
the edicts Of the chief justice were dlsrg-
garded and were ignored. although sus-
taired by the reports OF the two goyerl-
n.ents, made such course imperative.
There is no doubt with the facts now at
hsnd that Admiral Kautz will be sustained
by the United States government.
While the press reports agree that there
| is a direct issue between the American
and British authorities on one hand and
Germany on the other raised by the
action Of the German consul, Herr Rose.
/ in supporting by proclamation the con-
/ tention OF Mataafa and his rebel followers
/ hope Is yet expressed that II VIII develop
1 that representatives n the three powers
signatory TO the Berlin treaty were actlns
/ in unison against the pretensions or tne
| -ehel chiefs. The officials az the navy de-
! partment hardly believe a contingency
| could arise which would result IN az actual
| clash between the naval forces. The great
| prepclidt rance of strength on the one side
! as represented By the American cruiser
! Philadelphia and the British Porpoise and
| Royalist over the single German wafablp
I In the harbor would render the Issue OF
commission 80 certain that none 70 iasu
enough 20 imagine that an actual eonpat
| could occur.
The demonstration Is regretted but lnh
| opinion is expressed that Admiral kalts
acted on what was his best Judgment ana
information. The state department as-
knowedges that no permanent agreement
can be reached under the treaty IN wbish
all three powers do not agree, ana we
hone is that some settlement OF the dii-
i ficuity may be brought about when II Pc
comes apparent that the present conui-
lions can NOT exist indefinitely.
Although the British ambassador ana
the secretary OF the German embassy
called on the secretary of state today moth
ing new was elected The president mas
been informed OF the situation and very
much regrets that serious trouble has