Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-22
GERMANY TO REPuDIATE ILLEGAL
ACTS IN SAMOA.
WILL LIVE UP TO THE TREATY
UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND WILL
INSIST UPON 1T.
Conferences Between Secretary Hay
and British Ambassador Show
That the Two Governments
Are in Full Accord On
4-.t. All Points.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-It can be stated
authoritatively that, If the published re-
ports of the events at Arsa are true, the
acts of the German consul, Rose, and OF the
president of the municipal council. Rafael,
were not the result of Instructions from
the German government, and, so far as
these acts were violatve of the treaty of
Berlin, ii is not believed at the state de-
partment that they will receive the ap-
proval of the German government.
While the situation is regarded officially
as requiring delicate treatment, one of the
parties to the exchanges that are taking
place is authority for the opinion that 1t
will certainly yield to calm discussion. and
that satisfactory understanding will be
the outcome. This is presuming that the
matter can be handled entirely by the gov
ernments of the three countries. either
through their foreign Offices or their ann
bassadors. The danger apprehended Is the
irresponsible action Of some minor officials
away off in Samoa, beyond the immediate
control of the authorities at Berlin, WASH
tngton and London.
So far as the last reports indicate, the
Issue between the German representatives
and the American and British representa-
tives in Samoa had certainly not developed
beyond point where it could be readily
adjusted upon mere statement OF the
actual facts, for it is still believed THAI
all the parties to the treaty are willing to
live up to its provisions, which. of course,
would involve readiness to disavow any
improper action on the part of their re-
spective agents. and even to go further and
undo so much Of the mischief already done
by them as it might be possible to reach.
Assuming that the trouble at Apia has
passed its acute stage, and that 1t will be
adjusted satisfactorily by such measures
as are required, there will remain for
treatment, in the immediate future. the
treaty relations of the three powers rela-
tive to Samoa. The condition precedent to
any action looking to amendment Of the
treaty of Berlin, or its abrogarion, is that
its provisions must be lived up to mean
while; upon that point our government is
settled, and the British government can be
reckoned on to take the same view.
The state department has always 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 made in the lawful
method, and resisting the attempt to Sc
dertsandings between two of the three
While it is admitted here that Germany
ownership of individual land owners, yet,
by the terms Of the treaty Of Berlin. the
exact and equal right of each of the three
powers TN all political matters is expressly
defined, and 1t cannot be questioned now.
or at any time before the amendment Of
In a reliable diplomatic quarter 1t 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
Incomplete on many important details, and
Germany has been able to secure the full
est information. In the main. the official
dispatches 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 mutual interests of
the two governments concerning Samoa.
! Thus far, however. Sir Julian has not re-
ceived any instructions as to acting jointly
o. with this government, and the conferences
have been simply to discuss question in
: which both officials felt common inter-
est. It may be said also that this has de-
veloped an entire accord between the sec
retary Of state and the British ambassador
as to the rights and duties in volyed, and
the probable line of action Of the several
parties.
At the several large embassies most di-
% lively expressed that the situation does not
r have a warlike aspect. 1t was pointed out
. by one official that the probable course will
- be either reputation by Germany of the
> action of her consul or else a move to have
= the tripartite agreement changed so as to
&. permit a more expeditions management of
= Samoan affairs.