Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-01
SAMOAN SETTLEMENT
Plan Practically Agreed on BY
Three Powers Interested.
A JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
This Body 10 Have Full Control
Of Affairs.
KING OSCAR TO BE UMPIRE.
He VIII he Final Arbitrator In Case
of Any Disagreement Between the
COmmissiOners--Latt All to BE
Men OF High Standing.
KING OSCAR TO BE UMPIRE

| tIouDie mas Deen practcdlIy dBleeu upon
by the United States, Great Britain, and
the German Government. Lord Sails
bury's absence from London alone de-
lays the formal acceptance by Great Bri-
tain, though in his absence Sir Thomas
Sanderson and Mr.. Villiers who are un-
derstood to be especially familiar with
the Samoan question, have approved the
| plan for commission. The United
| States has informally expressed its APP
| proval, and formal acceptance, it is
learned from the highest quarter, will
follow speedily. AS the proposition ema-
mates from Germany, its approval, Of
| course, is assured.
| This Joint high commission, II is felt,
| affords pacific solution of the whole
| trouble at a moment when Samoan az
| fairs had begun to look the most threat
| en.ng.
The new plan has been fully gone over
| by Secretary Hay and the British and
! German ambassadors here, and its es-
sential details worked out. Each nation
| is to be represented by one member of
| the commission. 1t is TO have practically
unlimited authority, without the neces-
sty of referring its decisions back to
| the several governments for approval. 1t
| Is felt that by placing such full and un-
| limited authority I'm the commission the
danger will be obviated of any further
deadlocks and delays. Still another i'm
portant provision under consideration is
that King oscar. OF Norway and Sweden,
shall be the umpire in case the three
high commissioners should fail to reach
determination.
WHY KING OSSAR?
The plan of inviting King Oscar to
referee any disagreement meets the ap-
proval of the British and German authori-
ties, and doubtless will be approved also
by the United States, as means of en-
suring finalty of decision, though 1t Is
not known just how far this has been
considered by the Washington authorities.
King oscar was agreed upon between the
United States and Great Britain as the
final arbitrator I'm connection with the
proposed Anglo american arbitration
treaty. as well as in the Venezuela mat
ter. He is also mentioned In the treaty
OF Berlin as the one to name chief JUS
tce of Samoa In case the three sigma
tory Powers fail to agree on a chief JUS
tice. u was this that led TO the sugees-
tion of his name at the present time TO
act as final arbitrator.
the commission will be in Samoa, where
for q time they will have complete au-
thority over the whole range of Samoan
affairs, so far as the High Commission
may think fit to act in order to fully re-
store government on a stable basis. IL
will require no treaty to bring the COM
mission into existence, as the acceptance
of the United States and Great Britain
will complete the agreement.
COMMISSIONERS TO BE BIG MEN.
l. Is understood that the men selected
for the mission will be OF high standing.
so as TO give added weight and dignity 10
their findings, such. for instance, as the
Consul-General of Germany, whose Juris-
dctiOn covers the whole range OF Pacific
affairs. He is a man Of complete informa-
ton on Samoan and other Pacific Island
subjects, as well as a man of political in
fiuence. The United States and British
commissioners, it is understood. would
be drawn from the same high rank, with
a view, however. to their influence on
international matters of this character,
rather than their political standing.
As showing that the acute phase Of the
Samoan question is past, Baron Won
Sternberg, first secretary Of the German
embassy. left here tonight for New
York. whence he sails on the 9th for
London and Berlin. He has been most
active factor throughout the Samoan
controversy, having made that question
special study. and thus being able TO
render the Ambassador material assist
ance. His influence at all times has been
toward maintaining the friendly relations
between the two countries and overcom-
ing the causes OF irritation. His trip 10
London and Berlin has no significance |
whatever in connection with Samoan af- |
fairs. but Is entirely personal, and made |
under the belief that the gravity Of the |
affair had passed.
NO FRESH ADVICES.
No new advices reached the depart |
ment to-day regarding the Samoan stu |
ation and the impression is gaining |
ground among the officials that there is |
a missing cable report from Admiral |
Kautz, via Sydney, which, upon its ar |
rival. will clear up the mystery regard
ing the brief dispatch from Auckland, |
which was received yesterday.
GERMAN PRESS FAIR.
BERLIN. March 3l.-The United States |
Mr.. Andrew White, visited |
the Foreign Office this morning. and in |
formed the officials there that the latest |
proposals from Germany regarding Samoa |
had been favorably received at Washing |
ton.
The attitude OF the press Is fair and |
moderate though some OF the newspapers |
are attacking the authorities bitterly, |
claiming that they are making too many |
to the United States and |
Great Britain. The German press has
strongly intimated that Mr.. White and |
the American Government showed bad
faith when they recently assured Ger
many that colcilitory instructions had |
been cabled 10 Admiral Kautz. Mr.. White
has deemed 1t advisable 10 denounce this
as a libel and untrue. adding that neither
nor he knew anything or the
samoan bombardment before the German
Government did.
BLAME OF ENGLAND.
The comment on the Samoan situation
continues fairly moderate, though the pa
,crs naturally defend the German offl-
.ials. and throw all the blame on the
Americans and English.
The Kolnische Zeitung says: "rhe chief
share OF the responsibility ought TO be
aid at England's door, since she allowed
,er naval officers to act at their discre-
ion. thus showing that she values the
OF Cousin Jonathan very high
v. and always joins him when II Is
me stion OF having a fling at Germany"
The Kreutz Zeitung reminds Great Bril-
ain and the United States that Germany
not Spain, and that German patience
,as its> limits There are conceivable
ational combines besides the Anglo-Ger-
nan entente