The San Francisco call., 1899-04-13
COMPLICATIONS IN
SAMOA MADE STILL
GRAVER BY ATTACK

7 ONDON, April 12-The outbreak
in Samoa, just when the powers
had agreed upon the appointment
Il of a commission to settle the diff
ficultieS there, has caused great
annoyance and disappointment at the
Foreign Office here, where it is re-
garded as making the already serious
complications still graver While they
have difficulty in expressing a definite
opinion upon the fresh development, it
is acknowledged that the foreign Off
cials think that it has been manifested
that there has been hasty and aggres
sive action on the part of Herr Rose,
the German Consul, for although he
may have many technical reasons for
the part he has played in behalf of
German interests, it is asserted that he
has been the prime cause of the fresh
outbreak, which, it is added, will neces-
sarily greatly embarrass the endeavors
which the three powers are making to
restore a satisfactory and amicable
state of affairs
The Foreign Office officials appear to
think that it was obviously the duty of
the three Consuls to uphold the decision
of the Supreme Court which, accord
ing to the kilograms received, decided
to retnstate Tanu in place of the pro-
Ylslonal government, and the action of
Herr Rose in issuing counter procla-
nation supporting the rebellious fac
ton could not but have a disastrous
effect, as shown by the fighting de-
scribed in to-day's dispatches.
Furthermore, the officials of the For
eign Office think it impossible to say
to certainty how events will develop.
but they are of the opinion that it is
Fl ha ice n
work, in order to settle~once for all the
deplorable state of affairs which has
arisen in Samoa. The dispatch to the
British Admiralty from Apia, after Civ
ing the list of killed and wounded,
adds: The British and American au-
thorities used their utmost endeavors
previous to the fighting to reach a
peaceful settlement"
The treacherous attack made, by the
Mataafans upon the American and
British naval forces created a consid-
erable sensation in official circles and
among the general public. The news
papers sent out large placards printed
with such startling statements as
British and American Forces Routed 4"
German Treachery, etc.
The heroiy conduct of Ensign Mon
aghan of the United States cruiser
Philadelphia particularly appealed to
the public The British Admiralty has
received a dispatch from Captain
Stuart, the senior British naval officer
in Samoan waters, giving the news of
the death of Lieutenant Freeman of
the British cruiser Tauranga in "an
engagement with the rebels" Beyond
this no further details have been re-
ceived.
The German ambassador here, Count
Won Hatzfeldt- Wildenburg, first re-
ceived the news from a representative
Of he to1 II l.
recognized its Importance and asked
permission to make copy of the dis
patch. He said: This news is, indeed
grave and it is unfortunate, too, at this
moment that anything should occur to
endanger the negotiations for the set
tlement that we were glad to feel would
soon have arrived. OF course, / cam
not discuss the particulars given in the
dispatch, but the occurrence is certain
ly very unfortunate"
The Pail Mall Gazette says "The
locality of the engagement or rather
ambush is stated to have been Ger
man plantation, and there is the un-
pleasant suggestion that there was
treachery upon the part of German
subject. The incident, apart from the
loss of life, is deeply deplorable The
situation was already full of anxiety
to the Government at home, while on
the spot racial feeling runs higher.
Though it will be kept well under con-
troll the Cabinets of London, Washing
ton and Berlin could well have been
spared this latest development. We
may be assured that order will be
maintained ashore by the united efforts
Of the English and American command
ers, but even their efforts will not clear
the air of the electricity which is fast
accommodating at Apia."
The United States ambassador.
Joseph r.. Choate, having read the Sa-
moan dispatch. said. to a representative