Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-04-06
OFFICIALS PLEASED WITH soLf
Successor to DIR. Rafael, at ANA,
Samoa, Visits state Department..

Successor to DIR. Rafael, at Apia.
Samoa, Visits State Department.
Washington, April 5.-Dr. Solf, the
newly appointed president of the mu-
nicipality of Samoa, arrived here yes
terday.
During the afternoon, in company
with Ambassador Holleben, he called
on Secretary Hay. The meeting was
purely formal, and then, at the in
stance of the secretary, DIR. Solf was
made acquainted personally with the
assistant secretaries of state. He
speaks excellent English, and it was
frankly confessed at the department
that he made most agreeable impress
sion. 1t has been arranged that he
shall remain in Washington for few
days, and during that time he will
have an opportunity to confer with the
state department officials relative to
Samoan affairs. 1t is hoped that mis-
understandings may be avoided in the
future, if perfect comprehension is
reached in advance of Dr. Soils de-
parture for his post of the exact ideas
of each party to the tripartite govern
ment at first hand, and, as he has al
ready visited the British authorities in
London, the way now appears cleared
for such an understanding.
1t is said here that Admiral Kautz is
fully sustained by the navy depart
ment in every measure that he has
taken, and, inasmuch as it must be as
sumed that the admiral acted strictly
in accordance with his instructions, he
will be upheld in taking such steps as
were necessary to maintain the peace
and insure the safety of life and prop
erty in Samoa.
The president and Secretary of State
Hay have been giving consideration to
the selection of representative of
this government on the Samoan COM
mission. He will not be a member of
either the senate or house of repre-
sentatives, according to present light.
1t is probable the effort will be to find
some person thoroughly familiar with
the issue likely to be presented for the
settlement of this Samoan dispute.
She question is complex one, and,
having generally dropped out of pub
Tic notice during the last ten years, the
number of persons of the official class
tremely limited. 1t is regarded by the
state department as essential that the
commission be appointed at the earli-
est possible moment. In the absence
of an acceptance by Great Britain of
the commission plan it has not been
possible to proceed to outline the in
structions to be given to that commits
sion.
The indications are that the British
authorities will give their adherence
to the agreement within a day or two.
The present negotiations are con-
centrated on three main points, viz:
/. Is the commission to report, or
is it to have executive authority to adj
minister as we'll as to negotiate, and If
so, what is the extent of it's executive
powers?
2. Will the action of the commission
be determined by n majority, or will
unanimous action be required?
3. If a majority determination is ar
ranged, what safeguards are to be pro-
vided to insure unanimous execution?
The last point, as between majority
or unanimous action, is o vexing one,
and is the same one which has risen
between the consular officers in Sa-
moa, and it is evident that Lord Sails
bury hesitates to assent to any agree
ment which may renew this contro-
versy. An agreement upon King Os-
car as final arbitrator would obviate
deadlock, but this, while proposed un-
officially during the recent discussions,
mas not been assented to officially, so
hat attention is still centered on the
ssue between majority and unani-
nous rule.
Berlin, April Minister of Foreign
Affairs Buelow has curtailed his vaca
ton, returned unexpectedly and had
long conference with the British am.
bassador on the subject of Samoa.