The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-18
TIE SAMOAN COMMISSION
Settled Upon by a Com
promise.
THE CABINET DISCUSSION

AAA OI1O1U0X VxOVOOOAVkv
Of the Samoan QnestiOn-A Full He.
port From Admiral Kautz Read-It
Contains Much Additional anforma-
fiOn-The Interpolation I'm the Ger.
man Reichstag a Raiiure-The OppO.
sition Cry OF Economic War Against
America Coldly neeeived.
Washington, April 14-After this
mornings news from the British and
German embassies, the state depart
ment was enabled TO posi-
lively and finally that the three par
ties to the Berlin treaty had agreed
upon the instructions 10 be given their
Samoan commissioners and that it was
certain that he commission would
leave "a Francisco on the 18th in
slant for Samoa on the Badger.
The instructions to the commissioners
are Identical, the three governments
having accepted a form which compro-
misses the differences that have existed
up to his point. The commission will
be empowered to- deal with the situa-
ton as it find it in the Samoan is
lands upon its arrival. This applies to
acts necessary to place the affairs Of
the Stands in a peaceful and SatiSfac-
tory condition for the time being. What
ever the commission does in this direc-
ton is understood to be of a temporary
character and subject to the approval
of the three powers.
AS to the merits of the bitter contro-
versy between the representatives OF
the powers on the islands, which led
up to the unfortunate outbreak of ap-
peals, the commissioners are author
lied to max a thorough, impartial in
veStIgatlon and report the results to
their respective governments. The
latter will, by ordinary diplomatic ex-
change, apply any corrections that
seem to be necessary. The commits
sioners will nave no power to alter the
treaty of Berlin. They may make rec
concentrations to that end, and, pro-
Vided they are unanimous, it is prOba-
bic that their recommendations may
be accepted for changes in the treaty.
At the British and German embassies
the samoan commission is considered
settled beyond question, and all atten-
ton is now being given to the departure
of the commissioners.
SAMOAN, QUESTION BEFORE THE
CABINET.
The cabinet meeting today, which
lasted longer than usual, vas devoted
! principally to the discussion of the Sa-
moan situation. A complete written re-
port. concerning the preliminaries lead
ing UP to the hoStilities which was
made to the secretary of the nav by
Admiral kautZ was read to the cabinet
by Secretary Long. 1t throws some. ad-
ditional light upon the complications
| prior to the admirals arrival, the most
important fact brought out being that
the three consuls, . American, British
and, German, at the time of the adj
miraRs arrival at Apia, had recognized
the revolutionists under Mataafa. The
Mataafa uprising, after Chief Justice
Chambers decision in favor Of Malietna
Tanu, the admiral indicates, was. To-
mented largely by the German CONSUL,
F, who. insisted upon recognizing Mataafa
as king. Chaos was threatened and
the American and British residents
considered themselves in peril of their
lives A massacre was feared and un-
der these circumstances, the American
and. British cOnsuls joined with the
German in recognizing the provincial
government under Mataafa. To Ad-
miral Kau upon his arrival, however,
the British and American consuls ex-
planned that they had been forced to
this action by the duress of the situa-
ton. The admiral at the conference
aboard the Philadelphia, having salts
fled himself that Chief Justice Cham
bers decision was in accordance with
the Berlin treaty, informed the consuls
that they had no power to violate its
provisions, and, with the full acQuieS
cence of the British and American con-
su1s, he issued his manifesto dissolv-
ing the provincial government n Ma.
lietoa was crowned king. The counter
proclamation of the German consul anC
\ the Shal1inO of tina native villa OpG az
r%ecounted in the press dispatches, fol.
lowed.
THE QUESTION BEFORE THE
REICHSTAG.
Berlin, April 1.-THE minister of for.
eign affairs, Baron vOn Buelow, an
nounced in the ~reichstag today tina
an agreement had been arrived at will
Great Britain with regard to sending
commission to Samoa. The interpella
tlon on Samoa was presented by Dr.
Lehr, an extremist pan-German, ant
was replied II by the. minister of for
eign affairs. \ The whole affair wa
looked upon as a fizzle and lasted onl.
: eighty minutes. There was a slim at
tendance of members but the gallerie
were crowded. The United States EN-
bassy was represented at the session.
The opening speech of the interpella
ton, to which the minister of foreigl
affairs had previously agreed to reply
was not a success and it was after
ward said that the signers Of the inter
: pellation blndered in entrusting its pre-
I sentation to DR.. Lehr. The latter, con
, trary to agreement, mad strong refer
1 enceS to economic matters in Samoa
limiting that Germany would fight bot
countries economically If thwarted pc
litically. The party leaders, one afte
{ another, re%phdiated Dr.. Lehr's decla
= ration.
r The speech of minister of foreign al
: fairs fell fiat and was hardly applaud
ed at the end. He emphasized Ger
many's adherence to the Samoan &C
the Encouragement of which, he de
| clared, was desirable to the govern
ment. The minister said the govern
= ment thought nothing of the conflict
said to have taken place between tn