The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-31

and displaced for the time being the
attention given to the fighting around
Manila. The shelling of Mataafa was
looked upon as of secondary import
ance, but the deepest interst attached
to the attitude of the German govern
ment. At first apprehensions were felt
| that grave international complications
might ensue; but those most intimately
! familiar with the latest official ex-
| changes between Washington, London
| and Berlin, did not take such a gloomy
view Of the outlook. While recognizing
that the bloodshed at Samoa created
very serious and delicate situation, yet
it was said to be a situation which
had been clearly apprehended and had
been discussed in advance between the
! representatives of the three govern
ments. The real crisis from an interna-
tional standpoint, occurred last week
, when this apprehended outbreak was
discussed. Although relations were
greatly strained, it was possible to Sc
cure an understanding which is said
to make sure that the outbreak now
reported will not cause rupture in the
relations between the United States
and Germany, or between Great Bri-
tain and Germany
The details Of the bombardment, as
conveyed in the Associated Press dis
patches were read with eager interest
by leading government and diplomatic
officers who have been most directly
concerned in handling the Samoan
| question. There was nothing of an Of
fetal character, however, either at the
state or navy departments or at the
British CT the German embassies to
augment the very full press reports.
Upon this officials based their views.
In all quarters there were express
+ sions of concern and surprise at the
| seriousness and extent of the lombard
! ment, and the resulting loss Of life.
That some overt act would take place
! has been apprehended for many days,
| but there was little idea it would take
! such a sepe ed sweep ard lead to such
heavy loss of life. In this aspect Of the
case, the actual results were regarded
| as far more serious than those which
| had been expected and provided for.
| during the recent diplomatic exchanges
| between the three government. More
over, new elements Of international
! danger had Unexpectedly arisen. These
| included the proclamation Of the Ger
! man consul, Rose, which, it is believ-
| ed, tended to incite the Mataafa party
| to an open resolt; also the wounding
| and killing Of British sailors and ma
| rines, the shooting Of an American
| sentry, and the attacks on the several
! cOnsulates. These all involve unknown
| possibilities of serious complication.
| While they had been guarded against
! DIS ldi DIS pOSSlUle ny Tie IeCSLL dullCl-
| patOry exchanges, yet it was felt that
! the German press and national senti-
| ment might be wrought to high pitch
| by the events which had occurred, and
/ that this outburst of popular feeling
| might overcome the strong efforts Of
| officials to keep the subject within pa
! cific bounds.
In an authoritative quarter the atti-
| tude of the British and American Of
! ficials was stated substantially as fol-
| lows:
| It was mutually understood between
| the two governments that the first es-
| sential in Samoa was to maintain peace
and order. For that reason it was de-
! termined that any lawleSSneSS on the
part of Mataafa or any other Samoan
element, which threatened the lives
| or property of residents, would be sup
! pressed, even though force was re-
| quired. This was entirely without ref
erence to the rights of the three gov
| ernments-Great Britain, the United
| States and Germany-and was merely
a rule of self-preservation and police
| security.
| Acting on this understanding Cap
| tain Sturdee, of the Porpoise, gave no
tice some time ago that he would bonn
| bard the Mataafans if there was any
| outbreak or disorder. This insured
| quiet for a time, but he has always
1
| essary. 1t was not proposed to give
| Samoa over to reign of anarchy sim
| ply because the German consular Off
| cial at Samoa differed with the British
| and American officials. Outside of these
| differences, it was proposed to protect
| life and property at all hazards.
| When Admiral KautZ went to Samoa
| he also had as his first duty to protect
4, life and property and to maintain or
der. 1t is evident that the bloodshed
has arisen out of this united effort Of
| the American and the British COM
| manders to protect the law-abiding and
| peaceful elements against the disorder
| ly and rebelious subjects of Mataafa.
| This is evidenced by Mataafas action
| In hemming in the town where the
| American and British officials resided;
| also in the attacks on the consulates,
| and in the general lawlessness which
| has prevailed since Mataafa began his
reign. In short, according to the view
| OF those best acquainted with the SUBJ
| Jec& the British and American case
| Will rest upon the paramount necessity
of preserving peace and order.
THE GERMAN VIEW.
f.. The German view, it can be state on
| very eminent authority, is not likely
| to raise direct issue on the position
| thus laiG down by the British and
| American officials On the contrary.
| there is said to be a growing DISPOSE
| ton on the part of Germany to hold
! Herr Rose accountable for the diff
| culties into which he has directed his
| government. For a time he was sus-
tanned with the natural desire to pro-
| tect him in the proper discharge of his
] duties, but the German authorities
have not contemplated that he would