The record-union., 1899-04-13
Disposition in Diplomatic Circles to Treat
the Situation as Very Grave.
While It May Not Disrupt the
Plans for Final Settlement, It
is Likely to Cause Some En-
barrassment-The Arrest and
Detention Of a German Subject
by British Naval Officials One
of the Most Dangerous Features
of the Controversy.

from Samoa was received here with a
feeling approaching dismay There was
a refusal on the part of the higher Off
cials to discuss the sad event The
Secretary of the German Embassy call
ed early in the day upon Secretary Hay.
Neither of the officials would disclose
anything as to the nature Of the ex-
change that took place.
The arrest and retention by the Brit
ish naval officials of a. German subject
is one of the most dangerous features
of the controversy. 1t is said that the
Consuls of the three Powers stationed
at Apia. claim extra territorial jurisdic-
ton, involving the right to try the sub
jects of their respective countries for
any offenses alleged to have been COM
mitted. Under this practice the Ger
man Consul, Rose, may demand the
surrender of the Germans. If the man
is guilty it is considered improbable that
the British will yield unless upon some
adequate guarantee that he is to be
sufficiently punished. 1t is not believed
likely that Rose Will make such prom
ise
1t is believed that Admiral Kautz,
with the cooperation of the British,
will continue his efforts to bring the
rebellious natives to terms. This is
not likely to be an easy task, in view
of the somewhat small force at his conl-
mand, but it is said the British. Gov
ernment may accept the proposition of
the authorities of New Zealand to I'D
regiment of soldiers to Samoa.
No protest thus far has been lodged
at the State Department against Ad-
niral Kautz.
AT the British and German Embassies
the news of the bloody conflict in Samoa
was received with deep concern. Sir
Julian Pauncefote expressed his pro-
found regret at the collision, at a mo-
ment when he had hoped the trouble
was ir<aasfsir way to adjustment Mr..
Eliot. the British High Commissioner to
Samoa, also deplored the event The
British officials were quite confident,
however, that the chances of a settle
ment would not be destroyed by this
affair, although they might be some
what embarrassed
AT neither of the Embassies had a
word of official information been re-
ceived, and the Associated Press ac-
counts We're, therefore, scanned with
great interest. The German Embassa-
advices, he deeply regretted to hear
that there had been further loss of life.
In all diplomatic quarters there was
disposition to treat the news as grave.
but not as disrupting the plans for a
settlement. A sharp difference has de-
veloped between the British and Ger
man Foreign Offices as to getting the
high commission off for Samoa on the
Co
missioners cannot be instructed by tel
egraph so as to get away on the 10Th.
The British view is that there is no
chance of getting away until next
month.
The following official German view
was given to the Associated Press: "Af
ter Germany and the United States had
arrived at such an understanding that
the commission could have left San
Francisco on the 10Th England raised
new difficulties of such complicated ma
ture that they cannot be dealt with
geographically. Germany feels justi-
fed under these circumstances to hold
the name of her Commissioner still
back. The Berlin news that Germany
would demand satisfaction for the arbi-
trary action of Admiral Kautz is not
credited in official German circles. and
seems to be malicious invention. The
whole question on account of Samoa is
pending at present, not between three
Powers, but between Germany and
England"
The President received the Associated
Press dispatches from Auckland soon
after he entered his office Secretary
Long called with the cablegram from
Admiral Kautz. They remained in con-
ference less than half an hour. The
Secretary seemed to view the matter
with perfect equanimity, and said that
no additional force would be sent 10
Apia. as our present strength there was
deemed amply sufficient to meet the sit
uaticn. The Secretary also said that
Admiral Kautz's dispatch contained
matters not made public, but they were
of no general interest The dispatch.
however. he said, contained no mention
of the ambush having been laid on the
plantation of a German. The following
portion of the dispatch was given to the
public:
Auckland, N. a., April 18th.
Secretary Navy, Washington: On
April 1st. while the combined forces of
the United States and British under
Lieutenant Freeman of the British
navy were entering Apias they were am
bushed. Deeply regret to announce the
death of Lieutenant Philip B. Lans-
dale, Ensign John R. Monaghan, Coxs-
vain James Butler, ordinary seaman
Norman Edsal and five men wounded
belonging to the Philadelphia. The
British loss in killed. two men and Lieu
tenant Freeman
Members of the Cabinet in discussing
the event said they saw no occasion for
public excitement The United States
would protect her rights, but until all
| the facts were known it was certain
| that aggressive steps would not be