The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-31
THE CRISIS IN SAMOA
Germany Will Not Accept 1t as a
Casus Belli.
A DEARTH OF INFORMATION
Kautz Was Acting Fully Within His In
structions - England and the
United States Are Fully
In Accord.

Washington, March 30--The Samoan
crisis divided attention with the fight
Ing about Manila in all official quarters
to-day. At the foreign embassies, where
this has been a subject of consideration
lest the affair should assume a grave
international aspect. Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, the British ambassador, went to
the state department at II o'clock ac-
companied by his secretary, Mr.. Elliott,
and conferred with Secretary Hay. As
this was the regular diplomatic day,
little significance would have attached
to the call under ordinary circum-
stances, but with British and American
warships cooperating in a lombard
ment, more than usual interest attach
ed to the call. There is no doubt that
the serious developments in Samoa
were discussed. While there may be a
dearth of official information, at the
same time the actual events carry out
what has been anticipated, and gave a
basis for intelligently considering the
further joint action of the two govern
ments in the complete settlement of the
tiltHS Sduitall ilbuDit- DUH lldllbIS
are acting in complete accord not only
as to the general solution of the Samoan
problem, but in particular in reference
= to the force exerted by the British and
American naval commanders.
AS to the German attitude. it is stated
positively in a quarter thoroughly ia
miliar with German official sentiment
that the outbreak reported can under
no circumstances be construed as an
overt act against Germany, nor as
casus belli. This is from such source
that it largely removes the possibility
of international complications.
As an evidence of the conciliatory
sentiment of the German government it
was said to-day that the note delivered
to the department last week urged 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
4 a matter of such comparative unim-
portance as an official dispute in Sa-
nnoa. 1t is said that the German gov
eminent probably would have accepted
Admiral kautz as a sort of umpire.
taking his decision a S final. but that the
objection quite forCbly expressed to the
state department was the manner of his
going to Samoa While friendly ex-
changes were going on, without notice
to Germany.
The German ambassador has received
no adVices and no instructions relative
10 the reported bombardment and there
is no evidence thus far that Germany
will protest or assume a belligerent
tone. From the German standpoint the
most serious aspect is that the bonn
bardment Will excite public feeling on
both sides of the water, leading to pop
ular outpursts, Whlch Will overcome
the enores TO secure a settlement.
one Oh me latest propositions to-
q rH n .ht fD,,
warn d Setlierneht IS that three COM
1illssloiels De appointed. one from each
country, 10 meet IN samoa and sit as
court III seutlement OF the difficulty.
me state department mas not yet re-
celNeu Official adNlcts ana the demon
stfa'ioh Is regretted but the opinion
Is Expressed mat admiral kautZ acted
on Nhat was ms nest Judgment and in
ioiiila lfoh' Inc state department ac-
khoWleuses mat no permanent agree
:heht can ne reached under the treaty
III Which all three powers DO not agree
anu the nope is that some settlement.
OF the ullnculty may ne brought about
"heh II becomes apparent that the
present condltlons cannot exist indeh
hlteS.
Au1nlrai hautz acted within his in
et.uttiolls' II IS oelleVed, ne concluded,
AFTER consultation with Captain Stur-
zee OF the Porpoise. the senior British
naval o1hcer, and the American and
Efitisn oflclais that a state of anarchy
existed winch called for action. The
TACT that the edicts of the chief justice
We're d1sregarded and were ignored, al
though sustained by the representa-
tlVes or the two Of the governments
made such course imperative. There
IS no doubt, with the facts now at hand.
mat Admiral Gautz will be sustained
by the United States government
Although the British ambassador and
the secretary of the German embassy
called on the secretary of state to-day,
nothing new was ELECTED. The presi-
dent has been informed of the situation
and very much regrets that serious
trouble has arisen, bur has requested
full information from our officials in
Samoa at the earliest possible moment.