Evening star., 1899-04-14
SAMOAN COMMISSION
Announcement That the Three Pow
ers Have Agreed on Instructions.
WILL START IN A FEW DAYS
Differences Compromised and the
Orders Are Identical.
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION

After hearing from the British and Ger
man embassies this morning, the State De-
partme1t was enabled to announce posi-
lively and finally that the three parties to
the Berlin treaty had agreed upon the in
structions to be given their commissioners,
and that it was certain that the commits
sion would be able to leave San Francisco
on tho 18th instant for Samoa, en- the
Badger.
The instructions to the commissioners are
identical. the three governments having ac
cepted form which compromises the diff
ferences which have existed up to this
point. The commission will be empowered
to deal with the situation as it finds it in
the Samoan Islands upon its arrival This
applies to acts necessary to place the af-
fairs of the islands in a peaceful and sat
isfactory condition for the time being, and
whatever the commission does in that di-
rection Is understood to be of a temporary
character and subject to the approval of
the three powers.
As to the merits of the bitter controversy
between the representatives of the powers
on the islands which led up to the unfortu-
nate outbreak of April l. the commissions
ers are expected TO make n thorough, i'm
partial investigation, and report the results
TO their respective governments. The lat
ter will by ordinary diplomatic exchange.
apply any corrections that may be neces-
SdTE- ne commissioners VIII nave no
power TO alter the treaty of Berlin. They
may make recommendations to that end,
ana where they are unanimous, 1t Is prob
able that their recommendations may be
accepted for cha 1ges in the treaty, but
they cal make no permanent changes by
their OWL authority.
Doubt Removed.
Baron Sternberg the German, and Mr.
Eliot, the British commissioner, accept the
commission plan settled. and for this
reason there is considerable mystery over
the continued reports from abroad that the
subject is still open. The German ambas-
sador. DR.. Won HolIeben, called on Secre-
tary Hay this morning and communicated
an official dispatch from the Berlin foreign
office, saying definitely and positively that
the commission matter was settled and
that the commissioners should leave at the
earliest possible moment. 1t is understood
that the German communication removes
all question of doubt by reciting the text
OF the note delivered on Wednesday by the
British ambassador at Berlin, Sir Frank
Lascelles, to Baron Won Bulow the Ger
man minister of foreign affairs.
Baron Sternberg has received his instruc-
tons from Berlin to be ready TO start on
snort notice 1t is expected that the for
eign office will send supplementary instruc-
tlons 10 san Francisco so as to reach him
before he sails. Mr.. Eliot. the British COM
missioner, has received preliminary instruc-
tons concerning matters of detail use of
ciPher, etc. but not on the subject mat
ter itself. The main instructions will come
oy cable II the commissioners are to leave
at once, but by mail if sufficient time is
permitted The present plan is to go by
the Badger but this is on the theory that
no merchant steamer will be available
Ihere Is stil chance that the owners of
the steamship Mariposo will consent 10
hold her at San Francisco several days he
yOnd the 10Th.
The officials Of the three governments
were considering this plan today and il
may result in having the Mariposa held t1n-
vi thc commissioners can board her Her
accommodations are rather preferred To
Nose of the troopship.
No Line Decided
In diplomatic quarters the interpoIa+ions
before the German reichstag TODAY con-
cerning Samoa are awaited with consider
eble interest. as likely to shed pretty full
official information on the subject.
Ihere viii be no joint meeting of the high
commission in Washington. and the rre,n-
bers OF the commission who are here saw
there Is positively no warrant for state
ments that any advance decision or line of
acuoh VIII be taken. One of the commits
sloners said he would free his mind of the
subject even while on the steamer as II
was heeslless TO go over lot of ancient his
tUIJ' Ehlch would be entirely set aside
Wheh 'he commission faced the actual facts
IN samoa MIR. Tripp. the American com
missioner, Is not expected to come to Wash
ington. as he IS now in the far wtst anT
VIII probably join Baron Sternberg and Mr.
Eliot at San Francisco ~