Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-08
ADMIRAL KAUTZ ANGRY.
says the German Consul Treated Him Dis
courteously and That His Proclamation
Was an Insult.

courteousiy and That His Proclamation
Was an Insult.
Apia, Samoa, March "a, via San Fran
cisco, April THE Associated Press
correspondent had an interview with
Admiral Kautz yesterday. He spoke
quite freely on the situation and con-
slders he has been grossly insulted by
the German consul general issuing his
counter proclamation. The admiral
takes the stand that the Berlin treaty
which he is instructed by his govern
ment to uphold, does not make any
provision whatever for a provisional
government His instructions are to
carry out the treaty in accordance with
the views of a majority of the consular
representatives. The admiral is very
wroth with the German consul and
blames him entirely for the present at
tltude OF the rebels, as the natives were
obeying his command to retire to their
homes when the German proclamation
was issued. At the meeting of the con-
suls and senior naval officers on the
flagship, the admiral explained his po-
sition. Under the treaty there could
be no provisional government and the
agreement under which it had been
recognized under peculiar and trying
circumstances for the protection of life
and property was just as provisional
as the government itself. He had to
stand by the supreme court and he
hoped that plan of action would be
decided upon for restoring peace to
the islands without the Intervention OF
an armed force.
The British and American consuls
and naval officers agreed with the Adj
miral. The German consul having ac-
cepted the provisional government.
could not recede from that position
under any circumstances whatever un-
til he had instructions from Berlin.
Later on, after the meeting. Rose nut
his views in writing to the Admiral
and stated that German warships could
only act If German property or life were
to be protected against danger. or IN
the case of the Supreme Court issuing
warrant for arrest against indi-
viduals. On no other ground could
German warships interfere in Samoa,
and according to instructions IN Ter
which he acted there would be no mill
tary interference by Germany. He also
protested against Issue of the proclama-
ton Admiral Kautz pending instruc-
tons from the treaty powers; also
against the return to Apia of the de-
ported Malieotans, which was a menace
to the peace Of Samoa, and he remind
ed the Admiral that the Fake" hal
made no promise to help. according to
the Admiral's proclamation. lie was
afraid that the Admiral would do harm
ly its issue and that already people
were afraid OF the rebels around Apia.
The Admiral replied that he must be
governed in his actions by his duty and
not by his fears; that in his proclama-
ton he meant exactly what he said
and was not speaking fippantly; and
what he had proclaimed he would do.
The fact that with all his correspond
enee and protests to the Admiral, the
German consul did not consider it nee
essary to forward a copy Of his counter
proclamation TO the Admiral. had not
increased the good feeling between adj
miral and consul Never before by
any official had the admiral been
treated in such an uneourteous and
insulting manner.