The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-13

Washington, April 12-The acute
situation in Samoa gave rise to grave
apprehension among officials during the
day in Washington, but the conclusion
was reached as the departments closed,
that the situation is one that will yield
to sensible anl cool treatment, if all
the parties to the Berlin treaty are sim
cere in an effort to prevent further
trouble
As put by Cabinet officer, the killing
of the sailors has not materially
changed the general problem though it
has undoubtedly added to the difficulty
of dealing with the specific situation.
The only official news received touch
ing the last incident was contained IN
the following cablegram from Admral
KautZ
Auckland, y. H.. April 18th.
"Secretary OF the Navy. Washington:
ION April 1st while the combined
forces of the British and United States
under Lieutenant Freeman, British
navy, were accommodating near .iria,
they were ambushed. Deeply regret
to announce the death of Lieutenant
Philip B. Lansdale, Ensign john IL.
Monaghan. Cockswain James Butler.
ordinary seaman Norman Edsal and five
men wounded belonging TO the Fbila-
delphia. The British loss IN killed, two
men and Lieutenant Freeman.
(Signed) "KAUTZ"
Secretary Long said that 40 addition
al instructions were to be sent by him
to the Admiral The Philadelphia was
short handed for officers before the
loss of I4ientenant Laasdale and Ens'gn
Monaghal. and tn department today
promptly sent telegraphic orders TO
Mare Island to dispatch some officers TO
recruit the force Lieutenant Scheutze
goes out as executive officer, with Lieu
tenant w. S. Huges. Lieutenant Scho-
field and Lieutenant Hetherlngton.
Surgeon Steel is ordered from the New
York Navy Yard to the Philadelphia.
All of these officers are expected to take
the mail steamer ON the 10Th instant
for Apia.
The diplomatic negotiations of The
day were not directed particularly to
the encounter as the official informa-
tion is too meagre thus far to warrant
positive official action. There were
many inquiries, however, and the State
Department and the British and Ger
man Embassies exchanged such adj
vices as they had on the. subject. In
the main the diplomatic negotiations
continued to center around the high
commission. On this subject a breach
is gradually opening between Great
Britain and Germany because of tha re-
fusal of Great Britain to have The COM
mission leave San Francisco on the l9th.
While the Germans are anxious, and
our officials are willing, that the start
should be made ON the 10Th, Great
Britain insists on proceeding with de-
liberation, allowing full time for instruc-
tiops to the British commissioner by
mail and not by cable. This, of course,
would make it impossible for the COM
mission TO leave in body this month.
To overcome this stand by the British
Foreign Office. II suggestion has been
made that the appointment of an umpire,
which is one of the points still in dis
mute. be settled after the commissioners
start II this is agreed to, the commits
sion can get away, though with some
branches of its Instructions incomplete.
The remaining features, including that
as to how decision shall be made, and
in what case an umpire shall be called
in. would be forwarded to them later.
This Germon proposal does not meet
with favor among the British ofhclals,
who have determined that the British
commissioner, Mr.. Elliot, shall not leave
until his functions can be exactly de-
fined
The British Admiralty has nmnbc"
OF ships not far from Samoa III the
Australian Islands. a special design of
small cruiser being used III that locallty.
The chief naval station accessible 10
Samoa is on the China coast, where the
Asiatic squadron embraces some of the
largest warships in the british navy.
In number. armament and tonnage
the British ships on this station far eX-
ceed those of Germany or any other
power. The chief German naval sta
tion near Samoa also is ON the Chinese
coast. at kiao Chou where Admiral
Prince Henry is in command. Admiral
Dewey's eft at Manila is the nearest
assemblage of American warships to
Samoa The sail from Manila to Samoa
is about fourteen days.
Senator Davis, Chairman of the Sen
ate Committee on Foreign Relations,
was one of the earliest OF the Presidents
visitors to-day. When asked for his
views on the situation he said:
I'VE must be careful and not lose our
heads We must not form an opinion
until all facts are known"
Reprs sentative Hull, of Iowa. Chair
man of the House Military Committee,
was also one of the Presidents visitors.
He said:
This Government VIII not attempt TO
dkscredit our men there unless it is
shown clearly that they are il the
wrong. If Germany persists in her pres
ent course there may be war. ] do
not believe this administration will aHow