Evening star., 1899-03-23
TREATY IN DANGER
Possible Break Over the Samoan
Situation.
CONCLUSIONS OF ADMIRAL KAUTZ
England and America Sustain the
Chief Justice.
DISS SSENT OF ERMANY

Admiral Kautz has sustained fully the ac-
tons of the chief justice of Samoa, SO far
as his Investigations have gone, and there
Is no longer concealment of the fact that
the situation is far from satisfactory. Ever
since the first news of the emeute at Apia
last January, the Department of State, the
German and the British governments have
been separately pursuing investigations into
the matter, and it was in pursuance of our
branch of the inquiry that Admiral kautz
was sent to Apia on the Philadelphia. 1t is
not understood that the investigation is
complete so far as he is concerned, but at
the point where he stands he has felt
obliged to sustain the conclusions already
reached by the United States consul. Luther
Osborn and the chief justice himself
1t also appears that these conclusions are
in exact accord with those reached by the
British naval commander Captain Sturdy
of the Porpoise, who was present at Apia
during the outbreak, and of Mr.. Maxey. the
British consul at ADia, who was also a
participant. Thus there is formidable
ray of four witnesses combined in every de-
tail of their testimony, while opposed to
them is the German consul, DR.. Rose.
Germany Supports Its Representative.
The German government, as is gathered
from the Berlin advices is disposed to
stand firmly in support of its representa-
that by his retirement, Rose would faciI-
tate a satisfactory and speedy adjustment
of the complications in Samoa
1t is manifeStly impossible for the United
States to discredit its representative the
chief justice, or for the British government
to repudiate Mr.. MaXey, in view OF the
overwhelming weight of the testimony in
their favor, so that practical deadlock
has been reached as far as this matter of
changing the representation of the three
powers concerned at Apia is concerned. Our
government knows nothing as yet Of the
reported combined protests of the German
citizens of Samoa against Mr.. Chambers.
IL the German government cares to proceed
to that length it can, under the treaty of
Berlin request the United States govern
ment to withdraw him But. in accordance
with the provisions of the treaty if the
United States does not care to accede to
this request. Mr.. Chambers will continue
in office unless the German government
manages to obtain the approval for their
application of the British government Of
course, In view of the facts above stated,
tirfs is not likely to be had.
Treaty Might Be Repudiatcd.
These conditions lead up to the belief
that there is some danger of the repudia-
tion of the treaty of Berlin, and in the
present temper of the parties it would not
be surprising if this happened, without an
attempt on their part to replace it. although
it is of course believed that even in that
eN ent something of a modus vivendi will be
provided to prevent another such clash be-
tween the conflicting interests as happened
ten years ago, resulting in the treaty of
Berlin.
While negotiations are In progress on this
point, 1t is apprehended that something NAV
happen at Apia that will make them value
less, so that every incoming mail at Auck-
land is awaited with the keeaest interest
here.