The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-31
OFFICIALS At WASHING TON
80 ARE HOPEFUL OF PEACE
DO Not Express a Belief That
: Germany viii Turn Ugly, What
ever They May Feel

ever They May Feel
4 WASHINGTON, March 3O.-The seri-
pus condition of affairs in Samoa en-
gagged the attention of officials through
put the day and there were conferences
BIT the White. House between the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hay, and at the
Estate Department between the Secre-
Z tary and the British ambassador and
Baron Won Sternberg, first secretary Of
the German Embassy. But out Of il al
not a word Of additional information
was contributed from any official
source. The only authoritative state
.ment came from the Navy Department.
giving a brief dispatch from Admiral
Kautz This threw no light on the
latest outbreak and, owing to q tangle
of dates, it served only to further in
ToFve the mystery. IL view of the cact
that the fighting was widespread and
long continued and the Foreign Offices
at London and Berlin had been officially
advised OF the affair, it was regarded
as somewhat strange that the State
and Navy departments should be en-
tirely without information on bonn
bardment by an American admiral Up
to the close OF office hours it was stated
that nothing. had come from any of
our representatives, in Samoa dealing
with the outbreak Of hostilities.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British
ambassador, went 10 the State Depart
ment at Il o'clock, accompanied by his
secretary, Mr.. Elliott, and conferred
With Secretary Hay. AS this was the
regular diplomatic day little signifi-
canoe would have attached TO the call
under ordinary circumstances, but with
British and American warships CO.
operating in a bombardment, more than
usual interest attached to the call
. There is no doubt that the serious de
Yelopments in Samoa were discussed.
While there may be q dearth Of official
information, at the same time the ac-
tual events carry out what has been
anticipated and give q basis for intel
lfgently considering the further joint
ACTION of the two governments in the
complete settlement of the entire Sa-
moan trouble. Both nations are acting
in complete accord, not only as to the
general solution of the Samoan prob
lem, but in particular with reference to
the force exerted by the British and
American naval commanders.
AS to the German attitude, 1t is stated
positively in a quarter thoroughly IA
that the outbreak now reported can un-
der 10 circumstances be construed as
an overt act against Germany nor as a
casus belli. This is from such a source
that it largely removes the possibility
of international complications. AS an
evidence of the conciliatory sentiment
of the German Government it was said
to-day that the note delivered to the
department last week urged in behalf
Of the German Government that the
good relations existing between two
such nations as the United States and
Germany would not be interrupted by
a matter of such comparative unimpor-
lance as an official dispute in Samoa
It is said that the German Government
probably would have accepted Admiral
Kautz as sort of umpire, taking his
decision as final, but that the objection.
quite. forcibly expressed to the State
Department, was the manner of his go
ing TO Samoa while friendly exchanges
. were going on without notice to Ger
many.
The German ambassador has received
no advices and no instructions relative
TO. the reported bombardment. and there
is. no evidence thus far that Germany
will protest or assume a belligerent
tone. From the German standpoint the
most serious aspect is that the bonn
bardment will excite public feeling on
both sides of the water, leading to pop
ular outbursts which win overcome the
efforts to secure settlement.
One of the latest propositions toward
e settlement is that three commission
ers be appointed, one from each coun-
try, to meet in Samoa and sit as a court
fra cetf1eTnay1t III The difficulty
The State Department has not yet
received official advices. The demon
stration is regretted. but the opinion is
expressed that Admiral Kautz acted on
what was his best judgment and infor-
nation. The State Department ac-
G. knowIedges that no permanent agree
rnent can be reached under the treaty
. in which all three powers do not agree.
and the hope is that some settlement
of the difficulty may be brought about
when it becomes apparent that the
present conditions cannot exist indef-
nitely.
Admiral Kautz acted within his in
structions. 1t is believed he concluded,
after consulta ton with Captain Stur-
dee, of the Porpoise, the senior British
naval officer, and the United States and
British ConsuIs, that a state of anarchy
existed which called for action. The
fact shat the edicts Of the Chief Justice
were gdisregarded and were ignored al
though sustained by the representatives
of two of the governments made such
course imperative. There Is no doubt,
with the facts now at hand, that Ad-
miral Kautz viii be sustained by the
United States Government.
The only dispatch received at Wash
ington from Apia was given out to-day
as follows: