The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-01
COMMISSION WILL DECIDE 1T.
BOARD TO NE APPOINTED ON THE
SAMOAN SITUATION.

Germnny suggested II. ana Must
stand by the Agreement-King
Oscar of sweden and Norway
Named as Arbitrator In Case of n
Dispute-The Joint High Commis-
sion VIII Meet in SamOa--Acute
Stage Has Now Passed.
Washington, March S1.--A Joint high
commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically agreed upon
by the United States. Great Britain and
German governments.
Lord Sallsbury's absence from London
alone delays the formal acceptance by
Great Britain though In his absence Sir
Thomas Sanderson and Mr. Vilhers who
are understood to be especially familiar
with the Samoan question, have approved
the plan for commission.
The United States has informally ex-
pressed its approval and the formal ac-
ceptance, it is learned from the highest
quarter, win follow speedily. AS the prop
osition emanates from Germany, her ap-
proval, of course, is assured
This high commission, II IS felt, will af-
ford pacific solution TO the whole trouble
bt TIC illnHlttlt WHtI samoan uIidlfS beBlm
10 look the most threatening.
The new plan has been fully gone over
by Secretary Hay and the British and
German ambassadors here, and its essen
tial details worked out. Each nation Is
20 be represented by one member on the
commission. 1t Is to have practically un-
limited authority, without the necessity
of referring its decisions back to the sew
eral governments for approval. II Is felt
that Nv mol, r,l.ata nd Hpn
authority on the high commission the dan
ger will be obvlated of any further dead
locks or delays.
King Oscar 10 he Umpire.
Still another important provision under
consideration Is that King Oscar of Nor
way and Sweden shah be the umpire In
case that three high commissioners should
fail TO reach a determination. The plan
Of inviting King Oscar TO referee a dis
agreement meets the approval of the Brit
sh and German authorities, arid doubtless
will be approved also by the United States
as a means OF nsuring fnality of decision,
though Il is not known just how far this
had been considered by the Washington
authorities.
King Oscar was agreed ON between the
United States and Great Britain as a final
arbitrator with the proposed Angio-Ameri-
can arbitration treaty, as well as IN the
in the treaty of Berlin as the one 70 name
chief justice In Samoa In case the three
| sgnatory powers fail to agree on chief
justice Il was this that lea TO a sugges-
ton of hts name ct the present time 10 act
as final arbitef.
VIII Meet in samoa.
The expectation is that the slttings of
the commission viii be IN Samoa, where
for the time being. they will have complete
authority over the whole range of Samoan
affairs. so far as the high commission
may think III to act in order to fully re-
store order and establish affairs on sta
BILE basis II will require no treaty TO
bring the commission into existence, as
the acceptance OF the United States and
Great Britain Will complete the agreement.
IL Is understood that the men selected for
the commission will be of high standing,
so as to give added weight and dignity
to their findings, such, for instance, as the
consul general OF Germany, whose jurls-
dtctlon covers the whole range of Pacific
affairs. He Is a man of complete Informal
ton on Samoan and other Pacific islands
subjects, as well as a man of political in
huence.
The United States and British commis-
sioners, II Is understood, will be drawn
from the same high rank, with a view,
however, TO their information on interna-
tional matters of this character rather
than their political standing.
Acute Stage IL Past.
As showing that the acute phase OF the
Samoan question Is past. Baron Sueek Won
Sfernberg, first secretary of Germany, left
here tonight for New York, whence he
sails on April for London and Berlin.
He has been a most active factor through
out the Samoan controversy, having made
that question q special duty, and thus be-
ing able 10 render the ambassador mate
rial assistance. His influence at all times
has been toward maintaining the friendly
relations between the two countries and
overcoming the causes of irritation. His
trip to London and Berlin has no signifi-
canoe whatever in connection with Sa-
moan affairs, but Is entirely personal, after
the gravity Of the affair has been passed.
no new advlces reached the department.
to-day regarding the Samoan situation.
and the impression Is gaining ground
among the officials that there Is a missing
cable report from Admiral Kautz. via
Sydney, which, upon It's arrival will clear
up the mystery regarding the brief dis
patch dated Auckland, which was re.
ceiyed yesterday