The record-union., 1899-03-31
KAU7z WILL
Be SUSTAINED.
While Not Officially Informed as to
the Trouble in Samoa,
Washington Officials Believe the Admiral
Acted Within His Instructions.
The Fact That the Edicts of the
Chief Justice Were Disregarded
and Ignored, Although Sus-
tanned by Representatives of
Two Governments, Made the
Course He Pursued Imperative.

Course He Pursued Imperative.
| WASHINGTON, March 30.-The seri-
Gus condition of affairs in Samoa en-
gagged the attention of officials through
out the day, and there were conferences
at the White House between the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hay, and at the
State Department between the Secre-
tary and the British ambassador and
Baron won Sternberg, First Secretary
of the German Embassy.
But out of it all not word of addi-
tional information was contributed
from any official source. The only au-
thoritative statement came from the
Navy Department, giving brief dis
patch from Admiral Kautz. This threw
nc light on the latest outbreak, and,
owing to a tangle of dates, it served
only to further involve the mystery.
| In view of the fact that the fighting
was widespread and long continued,
and the foreign offices at London and
Berlin had been officially advised of
the affair, it was regarded as some
what strange that the State and Navy
Departments should be entirely with
an American Admiral. Up to the close
of office hours it was stated that Moth
ing had come from any of our repre-
sentatives in Samoa dealing with the
outbreak of hostilities.
The calls of Sir Julian Pauncefote and
Baron Sternberg were mainly for in
formation, for at neither of the En-
bassies had there been a report of the
occurrence or instructions up to the
time of the calls.
While there may be a dearth of Off
cial information. at the same time the
actual events carry out what has been
anticipated, and give basis for intel
ligently considering the further joint
action of the two Governments in the
complete settlement of the entire Samo-
an trouble. Both nations are acting in
complete accord, not only as to the gen.
eral solution of the Samoan problem,
but in particular with reference to the
force exerted by the British and Ameri-
can naval commanders.
AS to the German attitude it is stated
positively in a quarter thoroughly fa
miliar with German official sentiment
that the outbreak now reported can,
under no circumstances, be construed
as an overt act against Germany, nor
as casus belli. This is from such a
source that it largely removes the pos
sibility of international complications.
As an evidence of the conciliatory SEN
timent of the German Government, it
was said to-day that the note delivered
to the department last week urged in
behalf of the German Government that
the good relations existing between two
such nations as the United States and
Germany would not be interrupted by
a matter of such comparative unim-
portance as an official dispute in Sa-
moa
1t is said that the German Govern
ment probably would have accepted
Admiral Kautz as sort of umpire.
taking his decision as final. but that
the objection, quite forcibly expressed
to the State Department, was the man
ner of his going to Samoa, while friend
ly exchanges were going on. without
notice to Germany.
The German Embassador has received
no advices and no instructions relative
to the reported bombardment, and there
is no evidence thus far that Germany
will protest or assume a belligerent
tone From the German standpoint
the most serious aspect is that the bonn
bardment will excite public feeling on
both sides Of the water, leading to pop
ular outbursts which will overcome the
efforts to secure a settlement.
One of the latest propositions towards
settlement is that three Commission
ers be appointed, one from each coun-
try, to meet in Samoa and sit as a court
in settlement of the difficulty
The demonstration is regretted but
the opinion is expressed that Admiral
Kautz acted on what was his best iudg
ment and information. The State De-
partment acknowledges that no per,na-
nent agreement can be reached under
the treaty, in which all three Powers do
not agree, and the hope is that some
settlement of the difficulty NAV be
brought about when it becomes anpar-
ent that the present conditions cannot
exist indefinitely
Admiral Kautz acted within his in
1t is believed he concluded.
after consultation with CAPTAIN Stur-
dee of the Porpoise, the senior British
naval officer, and the United States and
British Consuls, that a state of anarchy
existed which called for action The
fact that the edicts of the CHIEF .Jus-
tice were disregarded and We're ignored.
although sustained by the representa-
tives of two Governments, made such /.
course imperative. There is no doubt.
with the facts now at hand. that Ad-
miral Kautz will be sustained by the
United States Government.
GERMAN GOVERNMENT SUR
PRISEJo
BERLIN, March 3O.-The German
Government was taken wholly by sur
prise with the news from Samoa. The
Imperial Chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe.
is spending his birthday, which occurs
tomorrow, at Baden Baden. and the
of Foreign Affairs. Baron Won
Buelow, is enjoying a fortnight.s yaca-
tion in Holstein- But a well-informed.
individual says the Government here is
skeptical as to Admiral Kautz's instruc-
tions. He adds that the instructions
for bombardment We're based on the
British and American claims that Ma
taafa was contravening the Samoan
Act. But the correspondent S informant
points out that the contravention was
ad 20 ,7 1,o4 =