Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-04-13
DID THEY SUPPLY SHALS?.
Asserted That Samoan Rebels
Were Given Ammunition
BY the Germans.
BEAR GERMAN MARKS.
A Crime Under Provisions of Ber-
lin Treaty to Furnish Arms and
Ammunition to Natives.

said That Empty Shells OF German Man
ufacturs Were Found the Battle
ground and tho Same Brand as Used BY
FaIke-Germnn Governments Urges the
Despatch of Commission.
San Francisco, April ia letter
received here from an officer of the
Philadelphia, dated Apia, March "a,
says in part:
1T was asserted without contradic-
tion that ammunition had been sent
ashore TO the rebels from the German
gunboat Fake, and subsequent events
seem to prove il, as unlimited firing
has been INDUCED IN by the rebels and
still continues, ut times being very
lively.
1T being Il crime under the terms
of the Berlin treaty to furnish arms
and ammunition to the natives, they
would have no means of obtaining Il
supply elsewhere, and the fact that
empty shells found on the battle-ground
of German manufacture and the
same kind as used by the Fake, al.
most proves the completely of the Ger"
mans.
1T is also Il curious fact that after
the first days shelling by the ships
the Mataafa men always rushed
toward the waterfront and took posi-
tions in the rear of the German con-
Sulate or German buildings so rs not
to be in the line of fire.
another fact that needs no corrob-
Grafton is that the German Tivoli Ho-
tel has been n source from which in
formation has been given to the rebels.
1t was from the upper porches of the
Tivoi that the shots We're fired that
lyiIln1 runnn1nI tiua Of a INnpliSh
bluejackets. The owner is now Il.
prisoner in his own building, and is
liable to be for some time"
Berlin. April 1l.-American Ambas-
Sador White and the British Ambassa-
dor Sir Frank LascelleS have con-
rercd with Baron Won Buelow, Min
lister of Foreign Affairs. with refer
ence TO the latest Samoan develop
mentS.
The German Government urgently
urges the speedy appointment and dis
patch of the commission so as TO pre-
vent further difficulties.
a foreign Office official. empowered
TO speak for the Governments said
that the action of the Americans and
British is a clear violation of the Sa-
moan act, that Germany intends TO
adhere to this view. that she considers
the new government of Samoa Illegal
and that she has so instructed her
Ambassadors Mt Washington and Lon
don.
Washington. Aprll11.-The British
Government has selected Mr. C. n. +.
Eliot. c.. r.. as the British member of
the Joint High Commission for the set
tlement of the Samoan question. The
I.
Pauncefote. called ut the State. De
partment to-day and informed Secre-
tary Hay of Mr.. Eliots appointment
The Appointment gave much satisfac-
ton in Government and diplomatic
circles. as Mr. Eliot is member of
the Embassy staff. and during his
brief service here has made many
friends.
Mr.. Eliot has the reputation of being
one of the brightest lights among the
schools of young Englishmen who
have attached themselves 10 the Brit
sh foreign service in the last decade.
He is an orientalist of the highest re-
pute. and has in Il brief space of
time acquired an experience in dealing
with the half-civili2ed races that will
without doubt make his services of
value to the Samoan Commission.
Washington, April 11.--A longDiplo-
matte struggle over Samoa is inevta-
bic. Germany's position was made
known to the State Department to-
day She contends that as the pro-
visional government was established
by the unanimous action of the rep
reSentatives of the three powers, it
could not be legally upset by only n
majority action-that of Great Britain
and the United States. In other words,
Germany upholds Consul Roses ac-
ton in issuing proclamation contro-
verting Admiral KautZ's.
This is taken to mean that Germany
will resist all efforts 10 make her pay
an indemnity for British sailors and
the American marine who were killed
by Mataafa's followers as a result of
Roses incendiary utterances. Ger
many has taken the position that it
was Kautz who was hiGh-handed in
attempting to force upon the Samoans
n majority action when a unanimous
action was in Germany's judgment
required under the Berlin treaty.
The administration will stand by
Kautz to the end. 1t is admitted that
his firm actions in three weeks have
done more to solve the Samoan diff
culties than was previously accom-
plshed in five years.