The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-05
ENGLAND Is WILLING
SAMOAN DISPUTE WILL BE SET
TIED BY A JOINT COMMITS
SION OF THREE
BRITISH PREMIER AsSENTs

That Germany VIII DisnvOw Re-
sponsibility for the Act of Con-
sui Rose, Provided 1t Is shown
That He Issued a Proclamation
Berlin Press Censure the British.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-Lord Sails
bury has accepted the plan proposed by
Germany for the settlement Of the Sa-
moan trouble by the appointment of u
tripartite commission. The acceptance
is on the broad principle only and details
of the arrangement are yet to be agreed
upon AS the United States has already
accepted the general proposition there is
no longer doubt as to the organization
of the commission.
1t is not believed here that there will be
any difficulty in arranging the details
OF the commission plan for the settlement
of the Samoan trouble as arising from
reluctance on the Part of the British gov
eminent to throw aside the Berlin treaty.
The state department does not expect
that 1t will be necessary to go far out
side of the lines of that convention to
secure a satisfactory adjustment of the
present difficulties. AS there appears to
be an apprehension that the proposed
commission NAV not be limited In It's
functions sufficiently to meet the British
ideas IT may be said that the plan In con-
temptation safeguards all essential points.
WILL VISIT THE ISLANDS.
1t is proposed that the commission shall
visit the islands, make careful inquiry
into existing conditions and then apply
such remedial measures as may seek to
be necessary to ensure tranquility. 1t
Will be distinctly understood that what
ever the commission does in that line will
be purely temporary in character and
subject to the approval of the three gov
ernmentS party to the Berlin treaty. r.
Then the commission will be expected to
frame scheme for submission to and
approval by each of the three powers for
the future government of the islands,
- involving, perhaps, some more or less
radical changes in the original Berlin
treaty
Neither of the three governments there
fore chances the loss of any substantial
interest I'm the Samoan group by accept
ing this commission plan, and this Is
probably the explans ton Of the announce
ed acceptance by the British government
of the principle of the commission plan.
COMMISSIONER TO BE NAMED.
The president has not yet made selec-
: ton of the commissioner who shall rep
resent the United States government, but
decision is expected very soon. He has
before him several names of persons who
rank high as publicists or as experts in
International practice. Prominent among
the latter is Thomas W. Cridler, the pres
ent third assistant secretary of state who
has been suggested principally because
of his thorough familiarity with the SUBJ
ject, having made a study of Samoan af-
fairs from the date of the Berlin meeting
ten years ago.
Another name that Is under considera-
ton is that of Mr.. Henry Adams, who
finds his recommendation for preferment
through his former residence in Samoa
and acquaintance with the habits of the
people and his scholarly qualities
DR.. Adolph Solf. recently appointed
president of the municipality of Apia,
had a busy day today consulting with
government and diplomatic officials and
taking the preliminary steps in the ap-
proachment of the three governments
concerning the islands. Accompanied by
president, the latter expressing the earn
est hope that DIR. Solf might be success
full in his new field of action.
PRESIDENT SOLF TALKS.
During the day a representative of the
Associated Press saw DIR. Solf and talked
with him on current Samoan affairs He
is a typical German, tall, robust ford
and speaks perfect English, an accom-
plishment, by the way, which will be
most helpful in treating with the United
States and British representatives in
Samoa.
Il am glad to observe the most sat
isfactory feeling prevailing In Washing
tom, said DR.. Solf. land I am confident
that the German and American authorf-
ties will have little or no difficulty in
arriving at a most harmonious under
standing at Samoa. So far as 1 am con-
cerned my duties are not of a political
character and my Instructions, received
before leaving Berlin, are, in effect, to
use every endeavor to promote good feel
ing between the three powers and to
avoid, in every way, possible cause for
disagreement. Naturally l am desirious
of realizing that high aim and of assist
ing in the quiet and orderly administra-
ton of Samoa.
DR.. Soft was asked as to his visit to
London en- route here and the general
feeling entertained in British official cir
= cles. He said he had met Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, secretary Of state for CO.
lonial affairs, and Mr.. Villiers, under
secretary of state, whose special province
is Samoa. Their expressions were friend
~, and general sentiment was evinced
to have an end to the perplexing differ
ences over Samoa. The doctor express
ed the hope that the press reports on the
questions raised by the British authori-
ties regarding the details of the high
commission would not prove true. as the
German and American authorities seem
Ell TO DE so near to a conclusion of the
difficulties that 1t was greatly to be
hoped that those details of a really for