New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-21
DISCUSSED BY THE CABINET.
CONFERENCE OF THE THREE POWERS
LIKELY TO BE HELD-AN AMICABLE
sFTTI .EMENT EXPECTED

CONFERENCE OF THE THREE POW Ems
LIKELY TO BE HELD-AN AMICABLE
SETTLEMENT EXPECTED.
washineton, Jan. 20.-An the members Of the
Cabinet were present at to-day's meeting. The
situation In Samoa discussed, but in the
absence Of any official or late information 1t is
thought that no action will be taken at once be-
yond asking for a conference between the rep
resentatives OF the three Powers which have
concurrent jurisdiction over the Islands under
the present treaty. II was said that 1t must be
presumed that whatever overt action was taken
by the German Consul in Apia was not with the
knowledge or consent Of his sovereign, but
rather was taken on his own account, and that
such action. should It be found to amount to an
unjust usurpation OF authority under the treaty,
viii be promptly disavowed by the German Gov
ernment. 1t is believed that the conference Of
the three Powers will be held in Berlin at an
early day.
The State Department Is moving with due de-
liberation, yet with hrmness. respecting the
adjustment OF conditions in Samoa. The pub
ncation Of incendiary newspaper articles is dep
recated as calculated 10 interfere with an
smcable and fair settlement Of the important
questions at issue, and the Department is d.
recting all its efforts now as it has in the past,
10 the use Of lawful and regular means TO set
Tie the succession at Apia- In fact, IT was Its
tnsstence on the compliance Of all Of the par
ties TO the tripartite treaty with the terms Of
that document so long as 1t stood undenounced
and unamended that has made its position so
strong legally at this juncture.
NO OFFICIAL REPORTS YET.
There is still a lack Of official reports the
details Of the stirring events at Apia- brief
statement has reached the Department through
the United States dispatch agent at San Fran
cisco, but so far as can be gathered IT is not
yet known Just why Chief Justice Chambers de-
cided that Mataafa, the German candidate for
the succession TO the throne Of Samoa, was In
eligible It is suspected here that the decision
was based on the use Of improper influences by
outside but interested persons In the election OF
the King. That II established, would be suf-
ncient 10 disqualify Mataafa under the strict
terms Of the treaty which expressly provides
FOR an untrammelled choice by the natives ac-
cordng to their own established customs
The United States Government must adhere
10 the terms Of the treaty so long as IT stands.
this being duty imposed by the document tt
self, so is to be presumed. in the absence Of an
Official statement. that the instructions sent to
the United States Consul General at Apia. and
perhaps also TO Ambassador White at Berlin
are to be governed by this understanding in any
Presentation Of the case that 1t may be neces-
sary 10 make.
The Navy Departments orders to the Phila-
oepha did not go to Admiral Kautz until to-
Gay They were in the shape Of instructions to
ake on a full supply Of coal and make ready
'or cruise to Samoa. There was no explicit
ocer to start but simply TO make ready. IL
Tie Admiral as reported in press dispatches
de ~ ~ L. Ottoh hor
In the southern waters as TO be unfit for the
voyage 10 Samoa, he probably will be author
zed 70 divers TO clean the hull for the De-
partment has decided that the ship shall not be
sent 70 the Mare Island Navy Yard TO be fitted
out There will be about fve days available IN
tl probability before the Philadelphia can clear