The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-04-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
SITUATION IN SAMOA AS DIS.
CUSSED IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
Seven American Lives Have Been Sacrl-
fIced Through CrlmlnaI Action Of the
German ConsuI--TrOuble In the Phil
Ipplnes VIII Soon Be Ended.
Special to the Ardmoreite.

Washington, D. c., April II
The murder of five Americans
through German duplicity in Sa-
moa has been the chief topic of
discussion in Washington during
the past week in official and un-
official circles. But the admins
tration has remained remarkably
cool and has agreed to acquiesce in
any decision for the settlement of
the disputed question of sovereignty
in the Samoan islands which may
be reached between Great Britain
and Germany. The two powers in
question have already agreed up
on the appointment of commits
sion to visit Samoa and arrive at
conclusion, but whatever action is
taken must be with the approval
of the three commissioners. In
other words, majority cannot act
if the third dissents. This, it is
believed, will materially embarrass
the commission and result in delay
and possibly additional bloodshed.
The position assumed by the ad-
ministration has occaSioned con-
siderable criticism. The United
States has been the chief sufferer
in Samoa. Seven American lives
have already been sacrificed
through the criminal action of the
German consul, and yet the ad-
ministration has failed to assume
an aggressive position, but, on the
other hand, has relegated prac-
tically all questions of dispute to
the English and German govern
mentS for final settlement. 1t is
difficult to foretell what the out
come will be. but many we'll in
formed statesmen in the city be-
lieve that far-reaching complica-
tionS will yet occur. The admin
iStration must demand indemnity
for the American lives lost from
Germany. in the event that Ger
man Consul Rose issued the i'm
flamatory proclamation reported
by the American admiral, which
Spurred the dethroned king ON to
aggression. Germany's refusal to
pay such indemnity will undoubt-
edly cause trouble. So, it is not
believed here that the question has
been disposed of by any means.
Great Britain, on the other
hand, will assuredly demand in
demnity for the murder of three
Of her subjects. Her demand will
be forwarded as soon as the in
vestigatioh is completed and a re-
fusal by the Berlin government to
recognize the demand will lead tC
conflict between those two gov
ernments. As the main loser il
the controversy has been the
American government, it is be-
ieved here that she should be the
first to act, and to sustain her ac
ton by force of arms, if necessary
The situation in the Philippine
has become more satisfactory
The natives are returning to thei
homes and seeking shelter within
the lines of the American army
Aguinaldo's army as a whole ha
been routed. Only small band
remain, which are constantly har
assing the Americans and whicl
retire to the woods as soon as at
tackled. The outposts of tn
. American lines are principally tar
: gets for the Filipinos in the brush
While the proclamation issue,
, by the American commission ha
had a beneficial effect, it has no
had the effect that was anticipat
ed. The Filipinos, used to tn
pledges and promises of the Span
iards. have, many of them, accept
ed the American proclamation a
only pledge to the ear to b
broken to the heart. But force @
necessity has compelled many G