The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-14

day were not directed particularly TO
the encounter, as the official inforrna-
tin is too meager thus far to warrant
positive official action. There were
many inquiries, however, and the state
department and the British and Ger
man embassies exchanged such adylces
as they had on the subject. In the
main, the diplomatic negotiations con-
tinued to center around the high COM
mission. On this subject breach Is
gradually opening between Great Brit
ain and Germany because of the re-
fusal of Great Britain TO have the COM
mission leave San Francisco on the
18th While the Germans are anxious
and our officials are willing, that the
start should be made on the 18th,
Great Britain insists on proceeding
with deliberation, allowing full time
for instructions to the British commis
sioner by mail and not by cable. This.
Of course, would make it impossible
for the commission to leave in a body
this month.
ish foreign office, suggestion has
been made that the appointment of
an umpire, which is one of the points
still in dispute, be settled after the
commissioners start. If this is agreed
to, the commission can get away,
though with some branches of its in
structions incomplete. The remaining
features, including that as to how
decision shall be made, and in what
case an umpire shall be called in, would
be forwarded TO them later. This Ger
man proposal does not meet with favor
among the British officials who have
determined that the British commits
sioner, Mr.. Elliot, shall not leave until
his functions can be exactly defined.
LIEUTENANT FREEMAN.
Lieutenant Freeman, killed in Sa-
moa, is given in the British naval list
as Lieutenant Angel H. Freeman, the
senior lieutenant of the cruiser Tau
ranga, and next to Captain Stuart, in
command of the vessel. AS chief lieu
tenant he was executive officer of the
Tauranga.
MOST AVAILABLE WARSHIPS.
The British admiralty has a number
of ships not far from Samoa in the
Australasian islands, a special design
Of small cruiser being used in that To-
cality. The chief naval station acces-
sible to Samoa is on the China coast,
: where the Asiatic squadron embraces
some Of the largest warships in the
mament and tonnage, the Brit
ish ships on this station far ex-
ceed those of Germany or any other
power. The chief German naval sta
ton near Samoa also is on the China
coast, at Kiao Chou, where Admiral
Prince Henry is in command. Admiral
Dewey's fleet at Manila is the nearest
assemblage of American warships to
Samoa. The sail from Manila to Sa-
mOa is about fourteen days.
THERE MAY BE WAR WITH GER
MANY.
Senator Davis, chairman of the SEN
ate committee on foreign relations,
was one of the earliest Of the presi-
dents visitors today. When asked for
his views on the situation he said: I'VE
must be careful and not lose our heads.
We must not form an opinion until all
facts are known
man of the house military committees
was also one of the presidents visitors.
He said: This government will not
attempt to discredit our men there un-
less it is shown clearly that they are
in the wrong. If Germany persists in
her present course there may be war.
I do not believe this administrator
will allow Germany to run this govern
ment as she seems to be trying to do
now. In my section of the country, the
feeling has been strong against Ger
many for six months. The people be-
war with Spain. The people ara in
: such temper that they will not permit
any trifing or hedging on the part of
the United States. If there should be
war I do not believe that all the Euro
pean countries could or would stand
against Great Britain and the United
States.''
Senator Thurston said that it would
be pretty hard for three of the most
enlightened nations of the earth to
have war over a few little islands,
which are of no consequence. He con-
sidered the situation as somewhat
grave"
Senator Stewart said: Does Ger
many want to fight? If so, she may
be accommodated. We are a peaceful
people, but we don't permit others to
go around with chips on their shoul-
ders."
, GERMANY BLAMES THE OTHER
POWERS.
Berlin, April 1.-THE correspondent
here of the Associated Press has had
an interview with a foreign official
who is authorized to speak for the
! minister of foreign affairs, Baron Won
Buelow. He said:
I'VE have received several official
dispatches, saying that the Malietoa-
, Tanu people for a fortnight past have
been raiding and pillaging around Apia,
destroying mainly German property
They are armed with weapons furnish
ed by the British.
I'VE also received today a dispatch
from the commander Of the Fake
confirming the ambuscade and the loss
of the Americans and English, substan-
tally tallying with the dispatches OF
the Associated Press. The ambuscade
may possibly have been on a German
plantation, as nearly all the property
around Apia is German. The govern
ment regrets extremely the occurrence
for which, however, it is in no way tC
| blame. Such encounters must natural
ly be expected when the Anglo-Amer.
lean action in crowning Malietoa Tanu
has made nine-tenths of the Samoans
their enemies. 1t shows strongly how
necessary is the prompt departure OF
the commission with adequately full
instructions. Although the German
commissioner has not yet been formal.
ly appointed, he is ready to start fol
Samoa within half an hour of the three
governments clearly defining the mode
of operation and the powers of the
commission. Why does England need
lessly delay agreeing? It is the only
way to prevent ceaseless bloodshed IL
Samoa. Unless the commission start:
soon such encounters may re-occur any
day.
"Of course. now that fresh blood has