New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-24
DEADLOCK OVER SAMOA.
EACH POWER FIRMLY UNFOLDING ITS
REPRESENTATIVE
THE TREATY OF BERLIN MAY BE REPCDI-
ATED-ADvICEs FROM ADMIRAL KAUTz
AWAITED WITH CONSIDER
ARIF CONCERN.
ABLE CONCERN.

ABLE CONCERN.
wasbinrton March 23-The German Ambas-
sador DR.. Won Hoeben. called at the state
DEPARTMENT to-day for a further conference with
the officials concerning the Samoan situation
The Berlin authorities have communicated with
him freely on the subject within the last few
days and as a result OF extended dispatches
from, the Foreign Office the Ambassador has
presented a. long note covering the latest phases
OF the case II is understood that the German
advices confirm the arrival Of Admiral kautz
and the convoking by him OF meeting OF all the
officials on March H. but they do not show what
resulted from the meeting. All their reports are
silent thus far on this point. but the German
view is evidently one of apprehension lest serious
results may grow out Of the meeting. in which
event the German opinion is that the response
bilities should be borne by those bringing about
the meeting.
Further than this questions are arising as 70
the extent of the authority OF the British and
American consuls acting together, to 90 any
thing without the concurrence or Consul Rose ot
Germany. The German view evidently holds
that the Berlin Treaty requires the three con-
suls to act unanimously. and not through ma
jorty. Another question is as to the rlght OF
naval commander to take any political action
The Berlin Treaty. in this view. would restrict
the rights OF naval commanders Wltnh narro"
limits, leaving them simply to execute what the
three consuls by unanimous agreement deter
mine unon These are the main points engaging
attention, and In view Of the questions lnVolVen
news OF Admiral Kautz's action following the
meeting on March II is awaited with much in
terest and not little concern.
SUSTAINING CHIEF JUSTICE CHAMBERS.
Admiral Kautz has fully sustained the actions
of Chief Justice Chambers. so far as his investi-
cations have gone Ever since the first news or
the outbreak at Apa in January the Depart
ment of State and the German and British Gov
ernments have been separately pursuing inves-
tigations into the matter. and it WAS in pursu-
ance of the American branch Of the inquiry that
Admiral KautZ was sent to Apia 1t Is not un-
derstood that the investigation is complete so
far as he is concerned. but. at the point where
he stands he has felt obliged to sustain the con-
clusions already reached by Mr.. Osborn, the
United States Consul, and the Chief Justice HIM
self 1t also appears that these conclusions are
in exact accord with those reached by the Brit
ish naval commander. Captain Sturdy, OF the
Porpoise who was present at Apia during the
outbreak, and OF Mr.. Maxse. the British Consul.
who was also a participant. Thus there Is an
array Of four witnesses combined in their testi-
mony while opposed to them is the German
Consul DIR. Rose.
The German Government as is gathered from
the Berlin advices. is disposed to stand firmly in
support Of its representative. although 1t has
been intimated to 1t that by his retirement Rose
would facilitate a satisfactory and speedy ad-
justment OF the complications In Samoa 1t is
manifestly impossible for the United States to
discredit its representative the Chief Justice, or
for the British Government to repudiate Mr..
Maxse. in view OF the weight Of testimony in
their favor, so that practical deadlock has
been reached so far this matter Of changing
the representation OF the three Powers at Apia
is concerned.
WOULD REQUIRE ENGLAND'S APPROVAL.
The United States Government knows nothing
as yet Of the reported combined protest of the
German citizens Of Samoa against Chief Justice
Chambers II the German Government cares
to proceed to that length it can. under the
Treaty Of Berlin. request the United States Gov
ernment TO withdraw him. But In accordance
with the provisions Of the treaty. II the United
States does not to accede to this request
Mr. Chambers would continue In office unless the
German Government manages TO secure an ap-
proval Of its application front the British Gov
ernment In view Of the facts above stated this
is not likely TO be done.
These conditions lead up to the belief that
there is some danger of the reputation Of the
Treaty OF Berlin and. in the present temper Of
the parties. it would not be surprising If this
happened without an attempt on their part to
replace il, although ii is OF course. believed that
even in that event some manner of modus VI
vendi will he provided to prevent another such
clash between the conflicting interests hap
pened ten years ago. resulting in the Treaty Of
Berlin.