Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-08
ENGLAND'S SAMOAN POLICY.
1t Is Said to BE Simply to Keep Up
Friction Between America
and GERMANY.

WASHINGTON. April 7.-(special) The
Samoan situation. next to the Philippine
question, monopolizes political interest in
the capital, and is likely to hold its place
in the public mind until a settlement is
reached. The leading problem now is to
what extent the Berlin treaty will be
warped and twisted in order to create a
government for the islands that shall be
satisfactory all around and do away with
the cause for perpetual pickering and
quarreling among the three signatory
powers. Just how this is to be solved no
statesman is astute enough to say. There
is no doubt that the United States and
Germany could easily reach an agreement
that would at least defer the question OF
a final settlement for many years. But
England, so long as she has hopes Of be-
ing able to entangle the other two govern
ments in unpleasant relations. will prove
an obstacle to the permanent settlement
of the Samoan question.
The evidence is fresh to hand. ard fur
nishes decidedly interesting chapter il
Illustrative of British diplomacy.
The impression is very general that the
proposition for the appointment of a joint
commission to settle the Samoan troubles
emanated from the German government.
The fact, however, Is that the hrst sug-
gestion came from Lord Pauncefote, the
leben. the German ambassador, here in
Washington-though England was the last
to give her formal consent and sun insists
on reservations which will most likely re-
suit in a temporary arrangement only.
when the intention was to reach a per-
manent agreement as far. as possible for
the proposition was to appoint commls-
sion of three, one from each OF the inter.
ested governments, who should be men OF
approved character and experience, and
whose duty it should be to rule the Islands.
Under this arrangement it was proposed
to abolish at once the sovereignty OF. the
and chief justice. This plan was proposed
to DR.. Won Holleben by Lord Pauncefote
as the best means OF setting an disputes. ts s
ernment Lord Pauncefote's proposition, and
received its approval as fast as the tsla-
eous Hay aas laid
lister. Mr. Hay approved ii. and the. two
Called on Paunce.ote and informed him
that Germany and the United States had
agreed to his plan, at which Pauncefote
from his government and did not know
whether he had acted too hastily. 1t was
now up to England" Several days
Grafton the British government gave re-
luctant consent. stipulating, however, that
the power of the. commissioners shall be
limited to the settlement OF the recent dis
turbances. and shall not assume the I'M
portant character originally outlined by her
ambassador, which would have been far
more satisfactory understanding, both to
Germany and this country.
The fact of the matter is. England does
not propose to aid in any project calculated
to improve relations between this country
and the German empire. By involving them
in condition of continual friction. she
hopes to place check on Germany's rapid
ly growing commerce. and at the same time
align the United States with her in the in
evitable struggle that must ensue between
her and Russia in the settlement of the
Oriental question.