The age-herald., 1899-01-22
MATTER JAN
 BE ADJUSTED Samoan Question Only Requires
 Delicate Treatment IS NO PROBABILITY OF WAR As the Outcome~of the Dispute
 Between the COnsuls HAS NOW PASSED THE ACUTE STAGE The German Representative Has Clear Iy Exceeded His Authority.
The German Representative Has Clear
 Iy Exceeded His Authority.
HIS ACTION WILL BE DISAPPOINTED
Germany Has Preponderating Owner ship of Individuals, But Under the Berlin Treaty the Three Coun-
 tries Are on Equal Terms.

WaSnlDSIOU, Jduudiy " A-'~ N-N moan situation is regarded officially as re- uuiring delicate treatment, one or the par ties to the exchanges that are taking place is authority for the opinion that it will cer- tanly yield to calm discussion and that satisfactory understanding will be the out come this presuming that the matter can be handled entirely by the three govern ments. even through their foreign offices or their ambassadors.
 The danger apprehended is the irresponsi- ble action of some minor officials away off in Samoa beyond the immediate control of the authorities at Berlin, Washington and London So far as the last reports indi- cate. the issue between the German rep resentatives and the American and British representatives in Samoa had certainly not developed beyond point where 1t could be readily adjusted upon a mere statement Of the actual facts, for it is still believed that all the parties to the treaty are willing to live up to Its provisions, which, of course, would involve a readiness to disavow any improper action on the part of their respect i've agents and even go further and undo so much of the mischief already done by them as it might be possible to reach.
 Passed Acute Stage
 Assuming that the trouble at Apia has passed Its acute stage and that it will be adjusted satisfactorily by such measures as are required, there will remain for treat ment in the immediate future the treaty relations of the three powers relative to Samoa. The condition precedent to any &C., tion looking to amendment of the treaty of Berlin, or its abrogation is that its pro- visions must be lived up to meanwhile; up- on that point our government is settled and the British government can be reckoned upon to take the same view. The state de- partment always has been ready to consider favorably any suggestion looking toward the change of the Berlin treaty to meet new exigencies asking only that the changes be maue in the lawful method, and resisting the attempt to secure certain re- suits desired by mere understandings be- tween two of the three parties to the treaty.
 While 1t is admitted here that Germany may truthfuly claim preponderating ownership of individual land owners, yet, by the terms of the treaty of Berlin, the exact and equal rights of each of the three powers in all political matters is expressly defined and it cannot be questioned now or at any time before the amendment of the treaty.
 The Reports Incomplete
 In a reliable diplomatic quarter it was stated that all three of the governments were now in possession of reports from their several representatives in Samoa. But there have been delays, the reports are in- complete on many important details and Germany has been able to secure the fullest information. In the main, the official des- patches bear out the press reports, al- though the German position that the con- sulS of the three governments acted to- gether in declaring a provisional govern ment differs from the other reports.
 The conferences between Secretary Hay and the British ambassador have led to a full discussion of the interests of the two governments concerned in Samoa. Thus far, however, Sir Julian has received no in- structions in regard to acting jointly with this government. It may be said, also that this has developed an entire accord between the secretary of state and the British am- bassador as to the rights and duties in- volved and the probable line of action of the several parties
 At the several large embassies most di- rectly interested. the opinion is quite posi- tlVely expressed that the situation does not have warlike aspect. It was pointed out by one official that the probable course would be either a repudiation by Germany of the action of her consul or else move to have the tripartite agreement changed so as to permit more expeditions manage ment of Samoan affairs.
 The Report to Berlin
 Berlin, January H.-Particulars regarding the trouble at Samoa, which were received today, show that during the fighting an armed detachment from the British war ship Porpoise occupied the house of Chief Justice Chambers. half mile outside of Apla, and that another detachment occu- pied the London mission station on the beach, where Malietoa Tanus and his party had sought refuge. Tamasese and his party sought shelter under the guns of the Porpoise.
 The fugtives were compelled to surrender their arms and the rest of the Maiietoa y>~nus party was captured by the Mataa-