The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-01
1t is Believed the Threatening Phase
of the Affair is Over.
KING OSCAR WILL BE UMPIRE
Germany and England Agree To- Cali
Him in If a Referee is Necessary
and the United States VIII
Doubtless Approve Their
Choice - Nothing New
Heard from Samoa.

WASHINGTON. March Si.-A joint high
commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically asrced upon
by the United States. Great Britain and
the German government Lord Sails
oury's absence from London alone delays
the formal acceptance by Great Britain,
though in his absence Sir Thomas Sander,
son and Mr.. Niiers. who are understood
10 be especially familiar with thc samoan
question have approved the plan for
commission. The United States has in
formally expressed IT'S approval and the
formal acceptance, it is learned from the
highest quarter will follow speedily As
the proposition emanates with Germany.
SIS approval Of course SIS assured. This
high joint commission il is felt. affords
a pacific solution TO the whole trouble at
the moment when Samoan affairs begun
h look the most threatening.
DETAILS WORKED OUT.
The new plan has been fully gone over
by Secretary Hay and the British and
tial details worked out. Each nation SIS
TO be represented by one member Of the
commission 10 is TO have practically
unlimited authorities without the ueces-
sity of referring it's decisions back 10 the
several governments for approval 10 is
felt that by placing such fun and un-
limited authority I'm the commission tho
danger will be Obviatcd of amy further
deadlocks and delays Suil another im-
portant provision under consideration is
that King oscar Of Norway and Sweden
shall be the umpire in case the three
high commissioners should fail 10 roach
"a determination
The plan OF inviting King oscar 10
referee disagreement meets the APP
proval Of the British and German authori-
ties, and, doubtless. will be approved also
by the United States as means Of
ensuring inality Of decision. though IL
is not known just how FAR this has been
considered by the Washington authori-
ties.
King oscar was agreed upon between
the United states and Great Britain ass
a final arbitrator I'm connection with the
proposed Anglo-Amorican arbitration
treaty, as well as I'm the Venezuela mat
tee. He is also mentioned in the treaty
OF Berlin as the one TO name Chief
Justice Of Samoa. iu case the three sigma
tory powers fail 10 agree on Chief
Justice. It was this that led TO the sug-
gestion of his name at the present time
10 act as final arbitrator.
WILL SIT IN SAMOA.
The expectation is that tho sitting OF
the commission viii be in Somoa. where
for the time they will have complete au-
thorty over the whole range 0f Samoan
affairs so far as the High Commission
may think ht to act in order io fully
restore government on stable basis. II
Will require no treaty 90 bring the com
mission into existence. as the acceptance
Of the United states and Great Britain
will complete the agreement.
SO is understood the mon selected for
the mission viii be Of high standing $50 as
20 give added weight and dignity To their
findings such for Instance. as the CONSUL
general OF Germany. whose Jurisdiction
covers the whole range OF Pacific affairs
He is man of complete Information on
Samoan and other Pacific island subjects
as well as a man of political influence.
The United States and British commits
aoners il is understood would be drawn
from the same hish rank with View.
however, 10 their influence ON Internal
tlOndl matters OF ill- t4l.4ffirt ltIllf'
than their political standine
ACUTE STAGE PAST.
As showing that the acute phase of the
Samoan question IS past Baron Spcck
Won Sternberg. first secretary of Ger
many. left here Tonight for New York
whence he sails on tine 9Th FOR London
and Berlin. Tic has been most active
factor throughout tire Samoan c0ntro-
versy. having made that question spe-
cial duty and thus being able 20 render
the ambassador material assistance. his
Influence At All times has beer toward
maintaining the friendly relations ne
tween the two countries and overcomins
the causes Of irritation. His trip 10 Lon
don and Berlin has no significance what
eyer in connection with Samoan AFFAIRS
but. is entirely personal after the gravity
Of the affairs had passed
No new adviccs reached the Depart
ment today regarding the samoan SIT
nation and the impression IS gaining
ground among tho officials that there Is a
missing cable report from ADMIRAL hautz
via sydney, which upon its arrival VIII
clear IN the mystery regarding the Driet
dispatch from Auckland which was re-
ceived yesterday.