Evening star., 1899-04-12
Grave Consequences From the Col
lision at Apia Possible.
GERMANY'S CHANGE OF FRONT
Expressions Upon the News Of the
Ambuscade in Samoa.
IN g AND'S POSIT ION

The possibility of very grave conse-
quences resulting from the collision at Apia
lies in the complicated circumstances sur
rounding the case. If the ambush in which
American and British officers and sailors
were killed was actually led or instigated
by a German. as indicated in the news dis
patches, it would still be simple matter
for Germany to disavow the act and punish
the offender. The trouble is, however that
this ambuscade does not stand by itself
The instigation of the hostilities in Samoa
is charged to the German consul, and this
latest bloodshed in which the responsibility
of German is indicated is but a develop
ment in the hostiities growing out of
dispute in which the German officials as
sumo an attitude adverse to the British and
Americans The situation is still further
complicated by statements quoted in Asso-
ciated Press dispatches from Berlin as off
cial from a representative of the German
foreign office. The tone of these utter
ances is so defiant and far in conflict
with the attitude assumed by the German
ambassador at Washington that even be-
fore the news of the collision at Apia was
received the situation was looked upon as
partaking of a more serious aspect than
had before been anticipated.
A Complete Surprise.
The course of the German embassy at
Washington in communication with the
State Department since the first outbreak
of trouble in Samoa has appeared concilia-
tory, and the agreement on commission
was looked upon as assuming a peaceful
settlement This government has had rea-
son to believe that Germany had no pur-
pose to sustain the German consul and
that his proclamation exciting the natives
to resistance would be repudated. There
for fpn ~,
of the Berlin foreign Office causes great
surprise. The statement attributed to an
official of the Berlin foreign office published
this morning that Great Britain and the
United States must make an unmist akable
disavoWal of the action of their naval COM
manders, together with the alleged official
statement by the Berlin foreign office the
day before sustaining Consul Rose and
charging violation of the treaty upon the
American and British officers places the
matter in an entirely different aspect from
that anticipated by reason of the attitude
of the German embassy here, and sus-
picion of double dealing has been aroused
in some quarters. The State Department
cannot, of course, take cogniZance of press
dispatches conflicting with official COM
munications, but it is not believed that
press dispatch purporting to give an official
statement of such character would be
permitted to be sent from Berlin if it were
not actually authorized
Disposition of This Government.
ciliatory, but of course not to the extent
of permitting American rights to be jeop-
ardized or of disavowing the acts Of our
admiral in defense of those rights. There
will be no hasty action by this government,
nor is it expected that Great Britain will
act hastily in the matter. Great Britain
and the United States are acting together
and 1t does not lie entirely with the United
States to determine the consequences to
follow from this latest development of
hostilities if a German citizen was actually
involved in the attack. u :
Senator Davis, chairman of the Senate
committee on foreign relations, was one of
the earliest of the Presidents visitors to-
day The President did not mention the
latest advices from Samoa, but the senator
mad been informed of them. Asked for his
views on the situation, he said:
We must be careful and not lose our
heads. We must not form an opinion till
all the facts are known"
There May be War.
Representative Hull of Iowa, chairman
or the House military committee was also
one OF the Presidents visitors, but he was
not consulted on the matter. He spoke
decidedly, however, saying: This govern
ment Will not attempt to discredit our men
there unless it is shown clearly that they
are in the wrong. If Germany persists in
her present course there may be war 1 do
not believe this administration will allow
Germany to run this government as she
seams to be trying to do now. In my sec
tlon OF the country the feeling has been
strong against Germany for six months
Inc people believe that she was hostile to
US in the war with Spain, The people ara
IN such temper that they will not permit
any trl1ilng or hedging on the part
of the United States If there should
be war 1 do not believe that all the Eu-
ropean countries could or would stand
against Great Britain and the United
States The navies of these two countries
are in splendid condition, and one country
has already learned that ours is pretty
effectively manned"
Senator Thurston said that it would be
pretty hard for three of the most enlight
ened nations of the earth to have war over
few little islands which are Of no con-
sequence. He considered the situation as
somewhat grave.
Other Expressions of Opinion.
Senator Stewart said: "Does Germany
want to fight? If so, she may be accom-
modated. We are peaceful people. but
we don't permit others to go around with
chips their shoulders
Senator McComas, another of the Pres-
dents S visitors, Thought it best not to dis
cuss the situation noW.E
General Dyrenferth, comm auder of the
U. v. u, said that if there is his
organization could furnish 25,090 men and
would do SO. They would be fighters,
too," he added.
There was quiet feeling among many of
the statesmen that the outcome of this
whole affair will depend largely on Great
Britains attitude. England, 1t is said, may
see her opportunity in the Samoan situa-
ton, and the United States may be put in
the position of having to follow her Eng
land may have concealed motives for a
rupture with Germany, while the Samoan
situation would furnish apparent ground
for the break. 1t is argued that if Eng
land has any desire to even UP with Ger
many she will never be able to do so under
more favorable circumstances.
MAILS IN PORTO RICO.