Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-30

overt act would take place had been ap-
pretended for many days. but there was
little idea IL would take such a broad
sweep and lead TO such heavy loss Of
life IN this aspect of the case. the ac-
tual results were regarded as far more
serious than those which had been eX-
pected and provided for during the recent
diplomatic exchanges between the three
governments. Moreover. new elements OF
international danger have Unexpectedly
arisen These include the proclamation
Of the German Consul. Rose. which, IL Is
believed, tended 10 incite the Maiaafa
party 10 open revolt; also. the WounonS
and killing Of British sailors and marines.
the shooting Of an American sentry ana
the attacks on the several consuatcs.
DANGEROUS POSSIBILITIES.
These all involve unknown possibilities
Of serious complication. While they have
been guarded against as far as possible
by the recent anticipatory exchanges, yet
ii is felt that the German press and ma
tional sentiment might be wrought TO q
high pitch by the events which have oc-
CURED. and that this outburst of popular
feeling might overcome the strong ef-
forts of officials TO keep the subject with
i'm pacific bounds.
In an authoritative quarter the atti-
tude of the British and American Off
ANGLO-AMERICAN ATTITUDE.
1t was mutually understood between
the two governments that the first es-
sential i'm Samoa was TO maintain peace
and order. For that reason it was deter
mined that any lawlessness on the part
Of Mataafa or any other Samoan ele-
ment. which threatened the lives or pro-
perty of residents. would be suppressed.
even though force was required. This
was entirely without reference TO the
rights OF the three Great
Britain. the United States. and Ger
many-and was merely a rule of self
preservation ana public security. Acting
on this understanding. Captain Surdee
of the POrpOise. gave notice some time
ago that he would lombard the Mataa-
fans If there were any outbreak or dis
order. This insured quiet for the time.
but be has always been ready TO use
force. If il should be necessary. 1t was
not proposed 10 give Samoa over to a
reign of anarchy. simply because the
German consular official at Samoa dif-
fered with the British and American Off
cials.
PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PRO
PERTY.
Outside Of these differences. # was pro-
posed to protect life and property al al
hazards. When Admiral Kautz went 10
samoa ne also had as his first duty TO
protect life and property and TO maintain
order It is evident that the blOOdshed
has arisen out Of this united effort Of the
British and American commanders 70
protect the law-abiding and peaceful ele-
ments against the disorderly and rebel
lious subjects of Mdtaafa This is evil
denCcd by Mataafa's action i'm hemming
I'm the town where the American and Bri-
tish officials resided. also by the attacks
ON the consulates, and i'm the general law
lcssness which has prevailed since Ma
taafa began his reign
In short. according TO The view Of those
best acquainted with the subject. the Bri-
tish and American case will rest upon the
paramount necessity of preserving peace
and order.
THE GERMAN VIEW.
The German view. it can be stated on
very eminent authority, is not likely to
raise a direct issue on the position thus
laid down by the British and American
officials on the contrary. there is said
10 be a growing disposition on the part
of Germany 10 hold Herr Rose account
able for the difficulties into which he has
directed his government. For a time he
was sustained with the natural desire 10
protect himself in the proper discharge
of his duties. but the German authorities
have not contemplated that he would
carry the matter 10 an open rupture ana
one that would result i'm bloodshed. On
that account there is good reason 10 be-
Heve that the German Government VIII
not sustain Herr Rose. and that Official
information I'm that direction has already
been conveyed.
DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES SHARP.
The diplomatic exchanges leading up TO
this crisis have been very sharp WITHIN
the last few days. Early last week the
Berlin Government received direct inlor-
nation from Samoa that Admiral Kauiz
had arrived there. ard had summoned
meeting of an the officials for March lltn'
The German authorities felt sure TINS
meeting would result in serious trouDle.
The Berlin officials therefore instructed
the German Ambassador here, Dr. Won
Hollebcn. TO present a note embodylhs
Germany's views II held that the navy
commander had no right TO act save III
executing the will of the three coHsuIS'
acting unanimously and not through
majority but aside from TINS argument
the German note intimated quite plainly
that Germany would hold the other gov
ernments responsible If serious trouble
resulted from the action of the naval au-
thoritics i'm samoa. The strained conul-
tions caused by this note were somewhat
ailayed by the answer OF the STATE De
p4rtmcnt which was friendly and reas-
suring. although ii made plain that the
American naval commander would act IN
an emergency. even though the cohsuiS
were not unanimous in requesting action.
IL is just such an emergency that mas
now occurred in Samoa
CLASH NOT EXPECTED.
There is no apprehension here that an
actual clash Will occur with the German
civil or naval forces in Samoa. This Is
dine mainly 10 the official understanding
that Germany has given positive orders 70
the commander of the German warship
Falke 70 refrain from any active move
ment
BRITISH PRESS COMMENT
LONDON March 30-Thc morning pa
,ers comment on the serious news from
s,noa the presumption being that the
crriser Tauransa was stopped at the
lsiB Islands by the Admiral because re-
1,,ired for service at Samoa.
,rbe Standard says 'The rebellOus
,b,efs must be c0erced and punished. and
.@roething more than nominal penalty
.gul he required for the blood OF British
,aI American sailors. The German au-
borities al Apia have incurred heavy
We cannot believe mat
Rerlin will uphold their action. as II Is
,ot worth Germany's while TO quarrel
win ENGLAND and America over samoa.
,rbe Daiv Chronicle says; There Is
,rlv one alternative. Germany must re-
move her Consul CHerr Rose, or go OUT
4 the protectorate
"MYsTERY ABOUT THE AFFAIR
The Morning Post. commenting upon ''ns
mystery surrounding the aHan' "nN
. -. =. -. srrfIpn ttAGEl