The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-15
Cannot Alter the Berlin Treaty, but
NAV Make Recommendations,W Which
Will Probably Be Accepted.
BARON Won BUELOW'S SPEECH
IN REPLY TO AN INTERPRETATION IN
THE GERMAN REICHsTAG.
Statement of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs Not FavorabIy Received
DIR. Lehr's Faux Pas.

WASHINGTON, April 14.-After hearing
this morning from the British and German
embassies the State Department was en-
abIed TO announce positively and finally
that the three parties to the Berlin treaty
had agreed on the instructions 10 be given
their Samoan commissioners, and that IL
was certain the commission would leave
San Francisco on the 18th inst. for Samoa
on the United States naval transport Bad
ger. The instructions are Identical, the
three governments having accepted form
which compromises the differences which
have existed up to this point. The commits
sio1 will be empowered to deal with the
situation as IL finds it in the Samoan
islands upon its arrival. This applies TO
acts necessary 10 place the affairs of tile
islands in a peaceful and satisfactory con-
dition for the time being, and whatever the
commission does in this direction Is under
stood to be OF a temporary character and
subject to the approval of the three powers.
AS to the merits of the bitter controversy
between the representatives of the powers
on the islands which led up TO the -un-
fortunate outbreak of April L the commits
sioners are expected to make thorough
impartial investigation and report the re-
suits to their respective governments. The
latter will by ordinary diplomatic exchange
apply any corrections that seem TO be neces-
sary. The commissioners will have no pow
er to alter the treaty of Berlin. They may
make recommendation TO that end. and
where they are unanimous 1t is probable
their recommendations will be accepted for
changes in the treaty.
The Cabinet meeting to-day, which lasted
longer than usual, was devoted principally
to discussion of the Samoan situation. A
complete written report concerning the pre-
liminSries leading up To the hostilties which
was made TO the secretary of the navy by
Admiral Kautz was read before the Cabinet
by Secretary Long. 1t throws some add-
tional light on the complications prior to
the admiral's arrival, the most important
fact brought out being that the three con-
suls-Amerioan, British and German-at the
time OF the admirals arrival at Apia had
recognized the revolutionists under Mataafa.
The Mataafa uprising after Chief Justice
ChambersS decision In favor of Malietoa
Tsnu. the admiral indicates, was fomented
largely by the German consul, who insisted
on recognizing Mataafa as king. Chaos was
threatened and the American and British
residents considered themselves in peril of
their lives A massacre was feared, and
under these circumstances the American and
British consuls joined with the Germans in
recognizing the provisional government un-
der Mataafa. To Admiral Kautz on his ar
rival however. the British and American
ccnsuls explained that they had been forced
to this action by the direness of the situa-
ton. The admiral, at the conference aboard
the Philadelphia, having satisfied himself
that Chief Justice Chambers's decision was
in accords nee with the Berlin treaty, in
formed the consuls that they had no power
TO violate its provisions, and, with the full
acquiescence of the British and American
consuls. he issued his manifesto dissolving
the provisional government and Malietoa
was crowned King. The counter proclama-
ton OF the German consr' and the shelling
Of the native villages as recounted in the
press dispatches followed.