New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-04
CONFERENCES OVER SAMOA
DIR. SOLF PRESENTED TO SECRETARY
HAY.
GOOD IMPRESSION MADE BY GERMANY's
NEW REPRESENTATIVE - PRESENT
STATUS OF THE NEGO-
TIATIONS.


STATUS OF THE NEGO-
TIATIoNs
washington April 3.-Dr. Sof. the newly APP
pointed president Of the municipality OF Samoa
arrived here to-day He came at the request OF
the German Ambassador. DIR. Won Holleben, 10
talk over Samoan affairs DR. SOlf visited the
State Department this afternoon in company
with Ambassador Won Hoeben, who presented
him to Secretary Hay. The meeting was purely
formal. and then. at the instance Of the Secre-
tary, DR.. Sof was made acquainted personally
with the Assistant Secretaries of State. He
speaks excellent English. and it was said at the
Department that he made a most agreeable I'M
preston. II has been arranged that he sha
remain in Washington for a few days. and in
that time he will have an opportunity To confer
with the State Department officials relative to
Samoan affairs. II is hoped that msunder-
standings may be avoided in the future If
perfect comprehension is reached in advance OF
Dr. Soils departure for his post Of the exact
ideas OF each party to the tripartite govern
ment at first hand. and, as he has already visit
ed the British authorities in London. the way
appears TO be cleared for such an understand
ing.
1t is said here that Admiral Kautz Is fully
sustained by the Navy Department In every
measure he has taken. and it must he as
sumed that the Admiral acted strictly in ac-
cordance with his instructions. he will be up
held in taking such steps were necessary to
maintain the peace and insure the safety of life
and property in Samoa. It Is explained in Ad-
ministration circles that the expression Of re-
gret that a hostile collision had occurred was
simply expression Of a feeling which actually
existed. but IT does not follow that it implied
. tha NJ he
Admiral. founded, as the action undoubtedly
was, on plain necessity.
THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONER.
The President and Secretary Hay have been
considering the selection OF a representative Of
the United states on the Samoan Commission,
which may be taken pretty sure index Of
the confidence Of this Government in the agree
ment OF the three Powers the Commission
plan for settling the issues that have arisen.
The representative Of the United states will not
be a member Of Congress according 10 present
plans. The effort will be made to find some per-
son thoroughly familiar with the issues likely to
be presented in the settlement Of the Samoan
dispute. The question is a complex ono. and the
number OF persons Of the official class who are
well posted on It is extremely limited. The Ger
man Government is believed to be much better
that its representative on the Commission will
be thoroughly familiar with the various phases
OF the Samoan question. 1t is regarded by the
state Department as essential that the Commis-
sion he appointed at the earliest possible mo-
ment
In the absence Of acceptance by Great
Britain Of the Commission plan, it has not been
possible to aatRe the Instructions TO be gre
to the Commission. II 10 said that IT does not
follow by any means. because the Commission
is appointed. that il is at once to overthrow the
Treaty Of Berlin. under the terms Of which the
three governments have for ten years admin
istered the affairs of Samoa. on the contrary it
10 probable that the Commission will be able to
adjust conditions at Apia and other places In
the Samoan group to the terms or the treaty,
and IL is believed here that everything needful
for reforming conditions there and placing them
on a basis which will insure tranquil ana
satisfactory administration of affairs may be
secured through the adoption Of some add-
fonal articles to the Berlin Convention. not even
affecting the general principle Of the tripartlte
control II is felt that whatever may be the
faults Of the tripartte principle. conditions can
he more easily adjusted under II than by turning
TO some new and untried plan to which it may
not be possible to secure the adhesion or all
{ hree treaty Powers.
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
Many cable dlspatchee have passed between
Washington and London in regard to the Sa
moan settlement. The main point Is to deter
mine exactly the extent Of authority which the
Commission is 10 possess Lord Salisbury Is not
disposed 10 enter precipitatey on plan until It
is fully understood just what the plan in all its
details ls The dispatches between London and
Washington directed toward clearing up all
uncertain points and defining what the COM
mission is to do The British Government Is as
ready as the United States or Germany 10 ac-
rept the general principle OF Commission but |
II wants to know in advance what its powers !
are to be- As Lord Salisbury is in the south |
Of France the inquiries and replies have to be /
forwarded 10 him from London, so there Is con |
siderable delay.
The indications are that the British authori- /
ties will give their consent to the agreement /
within a day or two but it Is said that there is /
still chance. although a slight one. that the |
agreement may not be concluded.
The present negotiations are concentrated on |
three main points namely:
First-Is the Commission 10 report, or is 1t To !
have executive authority to administer as wei
rs to negotiate. and If so, what Is the extent or /
is executive power?
Second-Wni the action Of the Commission be
determined by a majority. or will unanimous
action be required
Thrd-If a majority determination is ar
-anged. what safeguards are 10 be provided TO
insure unanimous execution?
This last point-as between majority or unani-
nous actOn-is a VeXing one and is the one
which has arisen between the consular officials
n Samoa II is evident that Lord Salisbury
lesitates to assent to any agreement which may
enew this controversy. An agreement on King
oscar : final arbitrator would prevent a dead
ock but this while proposed unofiically in the
ecent discussions. has not been assented to
that attention Is still centred on
he issue between majority and unanimous rule.
The need Of exactly defining the scope OF the
Commissions authority Is said 10 be requisite
n view Of the far-reaching effects ii may have.
lR WHITE EXPECTS 4 SETTLEMENT.
London April 4.-The Berlin correspondent Of
The Standard" says:
"Mr. White, the American Ambassador. ex-
ressed TO me to-day Monday) his firm convic-
ion that the whole Samoan question is now in