Evening star., 1899-03-30
WILL SUSTAIN KAUTZ
The Admiral Believed to Have Acted
Within His Instructions.
NO TROUBLE With GERMANY FEARED
Samoan Matters Discussed in All
Official Quarters.
SUPPRESSED DISPATCH

In all official quarters the bombardment
of the Samoan villages and the deposition
of the chief, Mataafa, by the English and
the Americans, as described in this morn
ing's newspapers, divided attention with
the fighting about Manila. At the foreign
embassies where the Samoan question has
been a subject of discussion considerable
anxiety was shown lest the affair should
assume a grave international aspect. Sir
Julian Pauncefote. the British ambassador,
visited the State Department at IL O'Clock,
accompanied by his secretary, Mr.. Elliott,
and conferred with the Secretary. AS this
was the regular diplomatic day little sig
nificance would have attached to the call
under ordinary circumstances, but with
British and American warships co-operat-
ing in q bombardment more than usual
interest was felt in it. There is no
doubt that the serious developments In
Samoa We're discussed. although it is said
that Secretary Hay has little beyond the
press advices. and Sir Julian is in the same
position. At the same time the actual
events carry out what has been ANTICIPATED,
and give basis for intelligently consider
ing the further joint action of the two gov
ernments in the complete settlement of the
entire Samoan trouble. There is no doubt
that both nations are acting in complete
accord, not only as to the general solution
of the Samoan problem, but in particular
with reference to the force exerted by the
British and American naval commanders.
German Ambassador without Adviees
The German ambassador, DR.. Won HOLE
ben. says he has received no advices and no
instructions relative to the reported bonn
bardment. and there is no evidence thus far
hat a BEL
ligerent tone. From the German stand
point the most serious aspect is that the
bomba rdment will excite public feeling on
both sides of the water leading to popular
outbursts which may overcome the efforts
to secure amicabie settlement
One of the latest propositions toward
settlement is that three commissioners be
appointed, one from each country, to meet
in Samoa and sit as court in settlement of
the difficulty. But this plan, while POSSIBLY
effective during peaceful times, is hardly
likely to be accepted when actual lighting Is
under way.
No Trouble With Germany.
AS to the German attitude, it is stated
positively in a quarter thoroughly familiar
with German official sentiment that the
outbreak now reported can under no cir
cumstances be construed as an overt act
against Germany, Tor as a casus belli-
This is from such a source that it largely
removes the possibility that the affair can
lead to grave international complications.
AS an evidence of the cOnciliatory senti-
ment of the German government, 1t was
said today that the note delivered TO the
State Department last week expressed in
behalf of the German government that the
good relations existing between two such
nations as the United States and Germany
would not be interrupted by matter of
such comparative unimportance an Off
fsia q n Is sal he
German government probably would have
accepted Admiral Kautz d sort of UNI
pire, taking his decision as final; but that
the objection, quite forciby expressed to
the State Department, was in the manner
of his going to Samoa, while friendly ex-
changes were going on, without notice to
Germany.
kautz Reports Situation Improving.
At IL o'clock this morning Assistant Sec
rstary Allen issued the following state
ment: The latest dispatch from Admiral
Kautz at Samoa is as follows:
AUCKLAND, March 20, 1899.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
Tne situation is improving since telegram
of 18th via Sidney, New South Wales.
tSigned) kACTZ
This is the only recent dispatch received
from Admiral Kautz at the Navy Depart
ment Assistant Secretary Allen says. AS
will be observed, 1t contains no details con-
corning the reported trouble at Apia. Even
the date on which ii was dispatched from
Apia is not given, but 1t Is presumed that
it left Samoa the 23d, the date upon
which the steamer which conveyed ths
press dispatches from Apia to Auckland
sailed.
Advices Not Given Out.
The dispatch of the 18th, to which Ad-
miral kautZ refers, was not given out in
full at the time of it's receipt here, and
even now Secretary Allen declines to make
it public. 1t is known, however, that it
reported the admiraIs arrival and gave a
brief resume Of the existing situation,
which must have appeared somewhat grave
at that time, the admiral now reports
that it had improved during the interim.
The dispatch of the 18th referred to BY
the admiral was in reality dated Sydney
the 10th. but the admiral had no means of
knowing when it left Apia, or the exact
date upon which 1t would be forwarded
from Sydney, but his calculation was that 1t
would BE- dated upon the 18th.
This dispatch probably left Apia accord
ing to the calcula tions of the officials Of
the Navy Department. on the 10th, and de-
scribed the situation at that time This
was before the actual trouble which, ac-
cording to the press dispatches had been
in progress eight days when they left Apia
on the 23d. There is considerable air of
mystery surrounding the statement given
out today and the explana ton offered. as it
"VShiS aihfoSt iftcof!ttlNdDte mat the admi-
raj should have made no detailed report
OF the stirring events which ware occurring
during the eight days prior to the depart.
ure of the dispatch from Apia.
state Department Without Advices.
Although 1t is said at the State DEPART
ment that no official advices have been re-
ceived relating to the occurrences in Sa-
moa, no doubt is expressed there as to the
authenticity Of the published reports The
demonstration Is regretted. but the opinion
is expressed that Admiral Kautz acted on
his best judgment and information. The
State Department acknowledges that no
permanent agreement can be reached under
the treaty in which all three powers do not
agree. and the hope is expressed that some
settlement of the difficulty may be brought
about. as it is apparent that the present
conditions cannot exist Indefinitely.
1t is said that Admiral Kautz has acted
within his instructions, as it is believed
that he concluded, after consultation with
the British admiral. the United States and
British consuls, that sta te of anarchy ex-
listed which called for interference It is
said that the edicts of the chief justice
were disregarded and were ignored al
though sustained by the representatives of
two of the governments. and that this
made action fmperatiye. There ia no dophf