The record-union., 1899-03-17
THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.
LITTLE PROBABILITY OF A
CLASH AT APIA.
At Least Not One That Will In
volve the European and
American Colonies.

WASHINGTON, March 49, The
State Department believes there is lit
tie probability of a clash in Samoa--at
least not one that will involve the Eu-
ropean and American colonies. Admiral
Kautz was specially charged to main
tain the peace and to give protection
not only to American interests, but
those of Great Britain and Germany,
and the broad instructions may even
warrant him in intervening forcibly 10
prevent clash between the native fac
tions, although our Government is loath
to take any such steps except in case
of an emergency.
Commander Tilley of the Abarenda
has come to Washington to consult
with the authorities of the Navy De-
partment prior to starting for Samoa.
He goes to open the coaling station at
Pago-Pago, which the United States
holds under a special treaty with the
Samoan Government. The Abarenda
carries ON this trip a little over 1000
tons of Goals and about l,4O0 tons OF
steel building material. The latter is
intended for the construction of a
wharf and coal sheds. When the sta
ton is established Commander Tilley
will assume command of it as the first
commandant.
The Abarenda has been thoroughly
overhauled and equipped with a good
battery of rapid-fire guns, SO that she
will be an efficient cruiser, with large
radius of action. She will take perma-
nent station in the Samoan Islands. The
treaty obligation that a United States
warship should from time to time per-
form service in these waters has been
almost entirely overlooked in late years,
but will no longer be neglected.
AS negotiations are now in progress
between the United States, Great Brit
ain and Germany respecting the kingly
succession in Samoa, any action of The
So called provisional Government that
would tend to force a crisis prematurely
would have misehievous effects. The
German Government is regarded as be-
ing particularly solicitous that there
should be no outbreak at this time, but,
unfortunately, seeks to impose condi-
tions in the pursuit of this purpose
that, accepted, would seriously COM
promise the alleged rights of both the
United States and Great Britain. Our
Government prefers to adhere strictly
to the lines of the Berlin treaty SO long
as that convention remains unchanged.
It is understood here that the provi-
sional Government referred to in the
news dispatches is nothing more than
an assemblage of some of the sub
chiefs, and that even Mataafa, the can
didate for the kingship, has not joined
it.
Meanwhile the three Governments are
somewhat divided over the proposition
to undertake a reopening of the contro-
versy over the succession to the throne,
the present contention of the United
States and Great Britain being that, as
the Chief Justice was clothed with spe-
cific authority to deal with the ques-
ton, not even the treaty Powers have
any power in the matter. This, If sup
ported, would overturn the German
contention that Chief Justice Cham
bers' decision be disregarded, and new
arrangement be effected directly be-
tween the Powers.
AS already stated, this whole subject
is now a matter of negotiation, and,
with the many side issues involved, will
probably consume a good deal of time.