The record-union., 1899-04-05
Likelihood That II Will Soon Be
AmicabIy Settled.
Great Britain Willing to Accept the Trium-
virate Commission Proposal,
But Wishes the Details as to Pow
ers of the Commissioners to
Alter or Modify the Berlin
Treaty Settled in Advance.

l
| WASHINGTON, April 4.-The Ger
man ambassador, Dr. Won Honeben, ac-
companied by DR.. Wilhelm Solf the
newly appointed President of the Mu-
nicipal Council of Samoa, called at the
British Embassy to-day and had an
agreeable meeting with the British En-
bassador, Sir Julian Pauncefote, and
Mr.. Elliott of the embassy staff The
visit was mainly social in character,
but it served to bring about that better
understanding in regard to Samoa
which all three Powers are anxious to
have take place of the friction and dis
order prevailing of late.
Later il; the day Sir Julian called at
the State Department and had talk
with Secretary Hay. 1t was at once
conjectured that the ambassador came
to signify the formal acceptance of
Great Britain to the plan of appointing
a commission. This was correct only in
part While the British Government
has approved the general principle of a
commission, yet the details as to- the
Authority and the power of the commits
sion remain to be settled before the
British acceptance of a concrete pro-
posal is given.
| On the other hand, the report coming
from an unauthoritative Berlin quar-
ter that Berlin has decided not to ac-
cept the commission plan is equally
misleading. The status of the negotia-
tions as given in the highest official
quarters is that the principle of the
commission is accepted by ali three
countries, including Great Britain, but
that the British Government withholds
formal approval of the commission it
self until all the details of it's authority
are determined. This, it is explained,
is in no sense a delay of acceptance, for
no one government has offered some
thing which the others must accept or
reject Instead of that, all three are
moving forward in the most agreeable
spirit toward common understand
ling. each making its suggestions for the
betterment of the plan, and no one lay
ling down certain limitations which the
Others nlssst accept at once.
/ Baron ven Buelow, the German Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, returned to
Berlin yesterday for the express pur-
pose of meeting there the British En-
lassador and clearing UP his details, as
Lord Salisbury wishes to have settled
in advance Those in Washington who
are in the best position to judge of the
progress of the negotiations say there
is every indication that they will be
satisfa ctorily closed before the present
week. and that the High Commission
will be an accomplished fact by that
tine
The questions of detail still open are
those relating to majority decision by
the commission, and as to the commits
sion's power to alter or modify the Ber-
| lin treaty and the constitutional system
under which Samoa is being admins
tered at present. The latter power, it
| is said. might determine the entire po-
tl:tical future of Samoa, and before con-
| fe,ring ii on the commission the Brit
| ish authorities desire to have it well
understood as to how far the future of
the islands can be made a finality bind
ling on all three Powers by the commits
| sion.
\ GERMAN VIEW OF THE
TROUBLE.
IET;LIN, April 4.-Dr Won Hamelen,
Under Secretary of the German For
eign Office, was asked to-day for a
statement regarding the charge made
by Admiral Kautz, U. S. N, against
Herr Rose, the German Counsel at
Ap.a He said:
THAT is Admiral Kautz's view. The
other view is that the whsle trouble
came by others interfering in The royal
election. We have no official news
about Herr Rose having issued proc
larnation. We cannot tell what it's con-
| orp g W has n
/ in DR.. Raffels case, I can say that if
Herr Rose issued provocative procla-
nation we shall disavow it. That Herr
Rose protested at the Consuls' meeting
we know, but that is a different thing
from a proclamation
When be was questioned as to the
status of the negotiations on the sub
ject of Samoa, he remarked: CDR Won
Buelow, the Minister of Foreign At
fairs. has shortened his leave and re-
turned to Berlin because he desired to
carry on the negotiations himself. He
had long conference yesterday with
the British ambassador, and to-day he
conferred with the United States En-
bassador 1t is true that England is
thus far holding back against Ger
many's proposal to send a joint COM
mission to Samoa
DIR. SOLF HAS A BUSY DAY.
| WASHINGTON, April 4-Dr Will
helm Solf, the newly appointed Presi-
dent of the municipal Council of Sa-
moa, had busy day to-day confer
ring with officials. and taking the pre-
liminary steps I'M the rapproachment of
the three Governments concerning the
islands. Accompanied by Secretary
Hay, he was received by the President.
the latter expressing the earnest hope
that DR.. Solf might be successful in
| his new field of action
| Later Dr. Solf called at the British
Embassy, and a pleasant exchange Of
views occurred. Assistant Secretary
of State Cridler also had a meeting with
DR.. Solf to go over some of the techni-
| cal details of the Samoan question.
These several conferences were import
ant mainly in showing the harmony
with which the officials of the three
Governments are proceeding on Samoa.
| DIR. Solf was asked by an Associated
Press representative as to his visit to
London en- route here. and the general
feeling entertained in British official
circles. He said he had met Joseph
Chamberlain. Secretary Of State for the
/ Colonial Affairs and Mr. Villjarc I'm