The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-01
TO SETTLE SAMOAN TROUBLE
A JOINT HIGH COMMISSION PRA O.
TICALLY AGREED UPON.
Lord SaIisbury's Absence From London
Alone Delays the Formal Acceptance
of Great Britain-Each Power to Be
Represented by One Member-Tho
Plan Emantcs From Germany,

Washington, March 31.-A joint high
commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically agreed up
on by the United States, British and
German governments. Lord Salisburys
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain
though in his absence Sir Thomas San
derson and Mr.. Villiers, who are under
stood to be specially familiar with the
Samoan question, have approved the
plan for a commission. The United
States has informally expressed its ap-
proval and the formal acceptance, it Is
learned from the highest quarter, will
follow speedily. AS the proposition
emanates from Germany her approval
Of course, is assured. This high joint
commission, 1t is felt, affords a solution
to the whole trouble at the moment
when the Samoan situation begins to
look the most threatening.
The new plan has been fully gone
over by Secretary Hay and the British
and German ambassadors here and it's
CoSCIllldl uGtdllS WOlhtd Ouls I1dSli Ia
tion Is to be represented by one men,
ber on the commission. 1t is to have
practically unlimited authority without
the necessity Of referring it's decisions
back to the several governments for
approval. 1t is felt that by comforting
such complete and final authority on
the high commission the danger will be
obviated of any deadlocks and delays
Still another provision under consider
alton is that King Oscar of Norway
and Sweden shall be the umpire in case
the three high commissioners should
fail to reach a determination. The
plan Of inviting King Oscar to referee
a disagreement meets the approval Of
the British and German authorities,
and doubtless will be approved also by
the United States as means Of secur-
ing finally the decision, though it is not
known Just how far this has been con-
sidered by the Washington authorities.
King Oscar was agreed upon between
the United States and Great Britain as
a final arbitrator In connection with the
proposed Anglo American arbitration
treaty, as well as in the Venezuela mat
ter He is also mentioned in the treaty
III i1Sitiil eos Liz OiAC " iietAtiC q SiiiCL
justice. It was this that led to the
suggestion of his name at the present
time to act as final arbitra tor.
The expectation Is that the slttings
of the commission will be in Samoa,
where for the time being they will have
complete authority over the whole
range of Samoan affairs, so far as the
high commission may think fit to act
In order to fully restore order, and es-
tablish affairs on a stable basis. 1t
will require no treaty to bring the
commission into existence, as the ac-
ceptance of the United States and Great
Britain will complete the agreement. 1t
Is understood that the men selected for
the mission will be Of high standing 50
as to 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 a man Of COM
plete information of Samoan and other
Pacific island subject as well as a man
Of political influence. The United States
and British commissioners it is under
stood, would be drawn from the same |
high rank, with q view, however to |
their information on international mat
ters Of this character rather than their |
political standing.
AS showing that the acute phase of |
the Samoan question Is past, Baron |
Speck Won Sternberg, first secretary Of |
the German legation, left here tonight |
for New York, whence he sails on the |
9Th for London and Berlin. He has |
been most active factor throughout
the Samoan controversy, having made |
that question a special study and thus
being able to render the ambassador
material assistance. His influence at
all times has been toward maintaining
the friendly relations between the two |
countries and overcoming the causes of |
Irritation. His trip to London and |
Berlin has no significance whatever in
connection with Samoan affairs, but
Is entirely personal.