New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15
GERMANrS POSITION STA TED
REPLY by BARON Won BUErOw TO AN
INTERPRETATION IN THE
REIlHSTAG

| Berlin Aprii 1.-THE Minister Of Foreign Az
fairs. Baron Won Bulow. announced In the
| Relchstag to-day that an agreement had been
! arrived at with Great Britain with regard 10
sending a commission to Samoa.
| The Interpolation on Samoa was presented by
| Dr. Lehr an Extremist Pan German, ana was
| replied to by Baron Won Phlow The whole al
fair was looked upon a iasco. and lasted only
eighty minutes
There was a slim attendance OF members In
| the Reichstag but the galleries were crowded.
! The United States Embassy was represented
at the session.
The opening speech OF the Interpolation, when
| the Minister OF Foreign Affairs had previously
agreed 10 reply to. was not success, and II
WAS afterward said that the signers OF the in
| terpela alton blundered In nrusting Its presenta-
ton to Dr. Lehr The latter. contrary to agree
ment made strong references to economic mat
ters In arguing against the American and Brit
lsh attitude in Samoa, limiting that Germany
would fight both countries economically II
thwarted politically. Owing to these state
| ments the party leaders one after another re-
pudiated DR.. Lehrs declarations. The speech or
the Minister Of Foreign Affairs also fell fiat
and was hardly applauded at the end
/ In substance. the Interpolation. which was
signed by a majority OF the Centre Reichspar-
tel, Conservatives and National Liberals asked
the Government for information regarding the
dongs In Samoa, and also requested informa-
ton regarding the measures taken or to be
taken by the Government under the circum-
stances.
THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S STATEMENT.
In the course Of his remarks the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs said:
IT am quite prepared to express my views OF
an AFFAIR which with justice. Is keenly occupy
ing opinion, and has been for weeks the subject
| OF serious attention upon the part OF the Gov
eminent. On the other hand you VIII Under
stand that In my official. responsible position
I shall not say things that may render peace
full settlement OF the difficulties questionable.
Regarding the history Of the compile atoms
| In Samoa have made a statement to the Budget
Committee, and have particularly pointed out
! how since the coming into force OF the act. dis
turbances and frctons between the representa-
tlyes of the Powers have not been lacking
/ "Our attitude regarding the complication may
be summed up In q simple sentence-'Adherence
| to the legal status created by the Act, so long
as the Act Is not modified by the unanimous
decision OF the Powers. That Is to say. respect
for the rights appertaining to others by virtue
Of the Act. but at the same time full and un-
conditional maintenance OF German rights In
the interests of the tranquility Of Samoa ana
! In the interests OF calmer relations between the
Powers, should they find IL advantageous, " the
! Act has become inadequate IL could he replaced
by fresh arrangement. corresponding better
with the present situation With this idea l
said in the Budget Committee that we we're dis
posed to consent to a clean separation AS.
! however, The disadvantages Of the situation
we're felt by both the other Powers equally with
| aQi mr. n N
make special proposals Of our own initiative.
| But SO long as the Somoa Act exists 1t must be
! Loyalty observed by all concerned. The letter
and spirit OF the Act require that final decision
he only effected by the unanimous resolutions
OF the three Governments. We therefore have
allowed doubt TO remain In London and
Washington that must regard as not legally
binding any changes to which we have not
| given our assent. We could not permit de-
csion regarding Samoa to be taken contrary to
treaty rights and without, or even against us.
This principle of necessary unanimlty. which
is set up and defended by ur. was accepted by
America and then also by Great Britain
DID NOT TAKE SIDES IN SAMOA.
| Another leading point OF view for was II
| hold aoof from the disputes Of the native chiefs.
| We were confronted by several candidates for
! the throne OF Samoa. but we have not taken
sides. But. the Provisional Government of Ma
taafa having been recognized by the three con-
saIls II must have appeared to consul as
the legal status quo until new Government
was installed by the unanimous resolution OF
| the three Governments.
For the very reason that we have taken up
| a neutral attitude In regard to the internal az
| fairs OF Samoa, we have neither participated In
nor approved the Intervention OF British and
| American warships in these disputes.
| Respecting the recent conflicts we have only
| mutilated and defective kilograms from our con-
sui, and less trustworthy reports from
foreign Geographic agencies. so that 1t Is not
vet possible for us to pass final Judgment on
| the affairs Nothing, however Is known to us
| concerning the reported conflict between the
American Admiral and the commander OF the
Fake. | agree with the Secretary Of the Navy
that the report Of ouch a conflict is entirely UNI
founded. and / am convinced that the conduct;
sense honor tact and self-control of our naval
officers were beyond praise. az was the discipline
Of the men,
Samoa he evidently the director OF the
! plantation Of Vailee. near Huffnegel. We in
medately called the serious attention OF the
British Government to the matter, and expressed
our confident expectation that no harm would
come TO our countryman II. az we certainly he
! lieved. he Is innocent.
! The final settlement cannot lie prejudiced
by the events IN Samoa. This settlement viii
rot take place on the spot. II can only be the
result OF agreement between the three Cabi-
nets In order to bring about such a readjust-
ment. have proposed to dispatch special
! Commission have demanded unanimity In its
decisions and have carried this point after over
J coming considerable difficulties. (CheersJ am
/ happy to state that the British Government has
now officially declared TO me. through its Am
bassador. that 1t accepts the proposals Of Ger
many regarding the mode OF operation and
/ functions Of the Commission. whose functions
and powers may be summed up az follows:
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
THE Commission appointed by the three
sIgnatory Powers to the Samoa Act Will take
over the Provisional Government OF the islands.
To this end the Commission will exercise the
highest powers All other Official personages
will have to obey the orders Of the Commission
ers and the three Powers Will instruct their
consular and naval representatives to lend them