Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-26
THE CRISIS PASSED.
So the Authorities Think as
Regards Samoa
ADMIRAL KAUTl TO RETURN.
Ills Flagship Will Be Replaced ~
The Newark.
CONFERENCES WITH CHAMBERS.
Commissioners Arc Formally well
coined to Apia by Mntaafa, whs
Says He Did Not begin the WAR
Kautx Probably to He Upheld.
CONFERENCES WITH CHAMBERS.
Kautx Probably 10 He Upheld.

APIA. May II, via AUCKLAND, N. IA. >
May 25.--The Samoan Commission; con- :
sisting OF Bartlett Trip, former United
states Minister to .AIstria-Hmgary:
Baron Speck Won Sternberg. representing
Germany, and c. N. Eliot. e. r., of tho
British Embassy, at Washington, repre-
senting Great Britain, arrived here on
May 18th. It's first sitting took place
May 18TH The commissioners were en-
gagged all that morning In comforting wath
the Chief Justice. William l.. Chambers.
Nothing was disclosed regarding the de-
liberations. but II Is reported that they
will uphold the action of Admiral Kautzr
the American naval commander.
Mataafa sent the commissioners LETT
ter of welcome. and expressed the hope
that they would satisfactorily end tho
troubles in Samoa. 1t is understood that
Mataafa will obey the unanimous order
OF the commission, though IL is doubtful
whether he will order his followers TO
dIsarm. unless the Malietoans are hrst
disarmed.
GERMAN CLAIMS.
The Germans are preparing compensate
ton claims 1t is understood one Ger
man firm claims 10000, and that other
German subjects claim 10000.
Replying to questions submitted to him
by correspondent of the Associated
Press. Mataafa said it was the head
chiefs and not himself who began the
war, adding that they did so because they
were angered at power being taken
from them by violence.
Mataafa claimed he had upheld tho
treaty. and said his orders throughout
were not to fire upon the Europeans, and
that but for this order the whole party
| ~ blue-iackets could have several times
| been shot down by large bodies OF ma
| tives concealed in the brush.
NO RECENT OUTBREAK.
WASHINGTON. May 25.-The American
| member of the Samoan Commission, Bart
| lett Tripp. did not make any report by
cable to the State Department. to-day.
and all information of the movements or
the commission came from the naval
| cablegram and the press dispatch. Ma
| turally. the officials were gratined 10 note
| that there had been no fresh outbreak
I preceding the arrival of the commission.
| and from what Is reported OF the condi-
| tions at Apia, they are convinced that
| the crisis has passed, and that the COM
| mission will have little difficulty In Sc
| curing the complete restoration OF peace.
II is realized that # will be no easy
| task 10 provide permanently for the adj
ministration OF the affairs OF the Island.
| however and it is possible that this por-
| ton of the work will be passed over Tor
| the time, and remain for adjustment when
| the commissioners return 10 the United
| States.
Admiral Kautz will return to the United
States with the Philadelphia. The fiog-
ship will be replaced at Apia by the
| cruiser Newark, which is as formidable
| I'm every respect as the Philadelphia, ana
having been recently renovated, Is In
| shape for long service. She was started
| for Apia about six weeks ago. from New
| York, making her way around Cape Horn.