The age-herald., 1899-04-09
DESIRE OF THE TEUT0NS
For the Upper Hand in Control Of the
 Samoan Islands
THOUGHT TO BE THEIR MOTIVE
By a, Majority of the Newspapers in Great Britain-The Spectator Says That England Must Support
 American Claims.

London, April S.-The unravelling of the samoan entanglement is followed with keen interest here, especially in colonial circles. Germany's "obstinacy," as her at titude is termed here, from the beginning of the troubles is regarded as '1ncompre- hensibie,'' and is said to be only explained by desire to get the upper hand in the islands. This view is expressed by a colonial expert, who, writing to the Morning Post, says:
 For some reason never yet explained Germany regards Samoa as an important link in her foreign policy. Rather than give up Samoa the Germans would go to war. No doub. Germany has not forgotten what a prize Helgoland has proved and the German chancellor possibly anticipates more important deal if he can only get possession of Samoa"
 The newspapers point out the growing importance of Samoa to New Zealand and the significance of the latter's offer to send volunteers to Samoa
 Sentiment Plainly Colored
 In regard to the alleged interview with the United States ambassador to Germany, Andrew D. White, published in the Munich Allgeimeine Zeitung, cabled to the Asso- ciated Press on Friday, the Morning Post editorially says:
 "The sentiments ascribed to Mir White are plainly colored by the prevailing tone of dissatisfaction with Great Britain ex- isting in Germany on the subject. We can not be misled by the complexion of the in- terview into believing that Mir. White had discovered influences in England which tend against his ideal of the fraternization of Great Britain, Germany and America, which We frankly adopt.'
 The Morning Post concludes:
 NO United States diplomatists could have discussed the circumstances in the tone of the Munich Allgeimeine Zeitung." The Spaetaton which thinks that ore posterous importance" has been given to the whole affair, says:
 Great Britain only needs a coaling sta- tion--if she needs that. But we must wig orously support American claims, and the business will be tedious and expensive"
 The British agent makes a significant re- mark that "school statistics show that French is dying out as the language of the middle classes and that English has already largely taken its place."
 Dreyfusites Highly Pleased
 The Figaro's revelations in the pubica- tion of the evidence presented to the court of cassation in the Dreyfus case has caused a sensation in Paris and has revived the keenest interest in the Dreyfus affair. The Dreyfusites are highly pleased with the publication of the dispositions, which, in fact, are apparently approved by the whole mass of sober opinion in France. The Fi- garo's bold step Is particularly interesting as last year its editor unexpectedly cham pioned Dreyfus, with the result that the paper lost a great number of subscribers. and the proprietors removed the editor from his post.
 The Figaro has now taken step which has drawn upon it the formidable hostility of the general staff of the war office, which desired secrecy and whose reputation is grievously damaged by the publication of the dispositions in which there are evidences that the war department engineered differ ent trials, influenced witnesses and had the intentions of preventing the exculpation of partment in so doing still remains obscure
 No Direct Evidence
 The dispositions show that both M Cavaignac, the former minister of war and General Roget, who restated the whole of the general staff case, failed to produce any direct evidence against Dreyfus. The testimony of Examining Magistrate Bertu- Jus was very damaging. He declared plain 1y his opinion that Lieutenant Colonel Du Patyede Clam and Major Count Esterhazy are the guilty men.
 The government has decided to release the three Irish political pr soners, Mullett, Fitzharris and O'Hanlon, now undergoing life sentence In Marlborough jail for par ticipation in the Phoenix Park murders
 NOT YET NOTIFIED.