New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15
THE SAMOAN AGREEMENT
POWERS OF THE JOINT HIGH COMMITS
SION DEFINED.
IDENTICAL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THREE
GOVERNMENTS PREPARATIONS
FOR DEPARTURE.

IDENTICAL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THREE
GOVERNMENTS APPROPRIATIONS
FOR DEPARTURE.
Washington, April 14.-After hearing TINS
morning from the British and German EN-
bassies the State Department announced posi-
tively and finally that the three parties to the
Berlin Treaty had agreed on the Instructions 10
he given to their Samoan Commissioners. and
that it was certain that the Commission would
sail from San Francisco April 20 for Apia on
the Badger.
The instructions to the Commissioners are
Identical the three Governments having ac-
cepted form which compromises the diner
ences that have existed up to this point. The
Commission will he empowered to deal with the
situation as II finds II in the Samoan Isahus
Oh its arrival This applies TO acts necessary
to place the affairs Of the islands In peacefui
and satisfactory condition for the time pe'hs'
and whatever the Commission does In this d.
rection is understood to be Of a temporary char-
acter and subject to the approval or the 'hree
Powers
As to the merits Of the bitter controversy De-
tween the representatives OF the Powers III the
islands which led to the unfortunate outbreak
OF April /, the Commissioners are expected 10
make a thorough and impartial investigation
and report the results to their respective Gov
erpments The latter will, by ordinary oipio-
matte negotiations apply any corrections tnat
seem to be necessary. The Commissioners VIII
have no power to alter the Treaty OF Berlin
They may make recommendations to that END.
and where they are unanimous 1t ls probable
that their recommendations for changes In the
treaty will be accepted.
POSITIVE STATEMENT FROM BERLIN.
At the British and German embassies the sa-
moan Commission is considered settled beyond
further question and all attention Is now be-
ing given to the departure Of the Commission
ORG The German Ambassador. Dr. Won Holle
ben. called on Secretary Hay and presented
dispatch from the Berlin Foreign ONCE saying
definitely and positively that the Commission
matter was settled and that the Commission
ers should start at the earliest possible moment
II is understood that the German communica-
ton removes ali question OF doubt by recitns
the text of the note delivered on wednesday Dy
the British Ambassador at Berlin. Sir Frank
Lascelles. to Baron Won Bulow the GERMAN
Minister Of Foreign Affairs.
Baron Speck Sternberg has received his
instructions from Berlin. 1t is expected that
the Foreign Office will send supplementary In
structions to San Francisco to reach him before
he sails Mr. Eliot the British Commissioners,
has received preliminary instructions concerning
matters OF detail The principal instructions
will come by cable II the Commissioners are to
start at once but by mail II sufficient time IL
permitted.
There will be no meeting Of the Commission in
Washington and the members who are here say
there Is positively no warrant for statements
that any advance decision or line Of action will
be taken. One of the Commissioners said ne
would free his mind Of the subject even while
on the steamer as II was needless to go over
lot of ancient history which would be entirely
set aside when the Commission faced the actual
conditions In Samoa. Mr.. Trip the American
Commissioner. is not expected to come to Wash
ington. s he Is now in the West, and will prob
ably join Baron Won Sternberg and Mr.. Eliot on
their Journey to San Francisco.
KAUTZS REPORT READ TO THE CABINET.
The Cabinet meeting to-day. which lasted
longer than usual. was devoted largely to dis
cussion Of the situation In Samoa. A complete
written report on the circumstances leading up
TO hostties. which was made to the secre-
tary OF the Navy by Admiral Kautx was read
by Secretary Long. II throws some additional
light upon the complications before the Ad-
mirals arrival, the most important fact brought
out being that the American. British and Ger
man consuls, at the time OF the Admiras ar
rival at Apia. had recognized the revolutionists
under Mataafa The uprising after Chief Jus
tce Chambers's decision in favor OF MaletOa
Tanus' the Admiral indicates. was fomented
chiefly by the German Consul who insisted
recognizing Mataafa as King. Chaos was
threatened and the American and British resi-
dents considered their lives In peril. mas
sacre feared. and, under these circum-
stances. the American and British consuls joined
with the German in recognizing the Provisional
Government under Mataafa To Admiral Kautz
on his arrival, however, the British and Ameri-
can consuls explained that they had been forced
TO take this action b. the danger In the situa-
ton The Admiral at the conference on the
oAaln ha1 ING cd
Justice Chambers's decision in accordance
with the Berlin Treaty. informed the consuls
that they had no power to violate its pro-
visions, and. with the full acquescencs OF the
British and American corsuls. he Issued his
manifesto dissoving the Provisional Govern
ment. and Malietoa crowned King The
counter proclamation Of the German Consul and
the Smelling Of the native villages. as related In
the press dispatches followed.
A STATEMENT TO THE COMMONS.
London. April 1.-THE Parliamentary Sscre-
tary Of the Foreign Office. William St John
Brodrick replying in the House Of Commons to