Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-15
GERMAN VIEW OF THE CASE.
The Way Won BueIow Looks at the Difi-
GUILTY in Samoa

Berlin, April 15.-Dr. Lehr, an ex-
treme pan-German. presented an inter-
pellation in the reichstag yesterday il
regard to Samoan affairs. Baron Won
Buelow. foreign minister replied and
said: Our attitude regarding the COM
pilcation may be summed up in u sim
pie Observation-Disclosures to the legal
status created by the act, so long as the
act is not modified by the unanimous
decision of the powers. That is to say,
respect for the rights appertaining to
others by virtue of the act. but at the
same time full and unconditional main
tenance OF German rights. In the in
terest of tie tranquility Of Samoa and
in the interest of calmer relations be-
tween the powers, should they find it
advantageous, if the act has become
inadequate it could be replaced by a
fresh arrangement, corresponding bet
ter with the present situation.
so long as the Samoa act exists it
must be Loyalty observed by all con-
cerned. The letter and spirit of the
act require that final decision be only
effected by the unanimous resolutions
of the three government. We, there
fore, have allowed no doubt to remain
in London and Washington that we
must regard as not legally bin6ing any
|
our assent. We could not permit a de-
cision regarding Samoa to be taken con-
trary to the treaty rights and without
or even against, us. This principle of
necessary unanimity, which is set up
and defended by us, was accepted by
America and then also by Great
Britain.
Another leading point of view for us
was TO hold aloof from the disputes of
. t,., chi 70 So, I'll
by several candidates for the throne of
Samoa, but we have not taken sides.
But the provisional government of Ma
taafa having been recognized by the
three consuls it must have appeared
70 our consul as the legal status quo
untfl a new government was Installed
by the unanimous resolution of the three
governments. For the very reason that
we nave taken up a neutral attitude in
regard to the internal affairs of Samoa.
we have neither participated in nor ap-
proved the intervention of British and
American warships in these disputes.
Respecting the recent conflicts we have
only mutilated and defective kilograms
from our consul and more or less trust
worthy reports from foreign Geographic
agencies, so that it is not yet possible
for us to pass final judgment on the
affairs.
THE final settlement cannot be pref
udiced by the events in Samoa. This
settlement will not take place on the
spot. 1t can only be the result of an
agreement between the three cabinets.
In order to bring about such a readjUst-
ment we have proposed to dispatch
special commission, have demanded
unanimity in its decisions and have
carried this point after overcoming con-
siderable difficulties. ICheers.1
THE commission appointed by the
three signatory powers to the Samoa
act will take over the provisional gov
eminent of the islands. To this
end the commission will exercise the
highest powers All other official per-
sonages will have to obey the orders of
the commissioners, and the three pow
ers will instruct their consular and
naval representatives tc tend them their
support. No measure taken by the
commissioners in conformity with the
foregoing official powers will be legal
unless all three commissioners assent
thereto. One of the tasks of the COM
mission will be to consider what pro-
visions 1t regards as necessary for the
future government of the country or
the modification of the Berlin act. and
to report to the government the views
to which it finally arrives. We demand
in Samoa no more than what belongs to
US by treaty. But we cann6t and will
not allow these treaty rights of ours to
be curtailed."
Washington, April 15.-At the British
and German embassies the Samoan
commission is considered settled beyond
further question and all attention is now
being given to the departure of the