Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-30
UNKNOWN POSSIBILITIES IN
VOLVED.


UNKNOwN POSSIBILITIES IN
VOLVED.
These all involve unknown possibil-
ties of serious complications. While
they had been guarded against as far
as possible by the recent anticipa tory
exchanges, yet it was felt that the Ger
man press aud national sentiment
might be wrought to n high pitch by
the events which had occurred. and
that this outburst of popular feeling
might overcome the strong efforts OF
officials to keep the subject within pa
citic bounds.
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
In an authoritative quarter the att-
tude OF the British and American Off
Gals was stated substantially as fol-
lows:
1t was mutually understood between
the two governments that the first
essential in Samoa was TO maintain
peace AID order. For ihat reason it
was determined that any lawicssness
on the part OF Nataafa or any other
Samoan element. which threatened the
lives or property Of residents. would DE
suppressed. even though force was re-
quired. This WAS entirely without rot-
crence 10 II. rights Of the three gov
crnments-Grcat Britain. the Urtcd
States and Germany-aad was merely
security.
Acting on this understanding Captain
Sturdec. OF the POrpoisc, gaze notice
some time ago that he would bomb;,JI
tho Mataafans If there was any out
break or disorder. This insured quiet
for 4 time, but he has always been
ready to use force # II was necessary.
/ Was not proposed 10 give Samoa over
10 reign OF anarchy simply because
the German Consular official at Samoa
differed with the British and American
officials.
Outside OF these differences. it was
proposed 70 protect l'fe and property at
all hazards. When Admiral Kautz
went 10 Samoa he also had as his first
outy to protect life and property, and
10 maintain order. 1t is evident that
the bloodshed has arisen out of this
u3itcd effort of the American and Brit
ish commanders to protect the law
abiding and peaceful elements against
the disorderly and rcbellous subjects of
Nataafa. This is evidenced by Ma
taafa's action in hemmng in the town
where the American and British Off
Gals resided, also in the attacks on the
consulate. and in the general lawless-
hess which has prevailed since Mataaia
began his reign. In short. according
to the view of those best acquainted
with the subjects the British and
american case VIII upon bic psti
mount necessity OF preserving peace
and order.
THE GERMAN VIEW.
The German view, it can re stated on
| very eminent authority, is not likely to
! raise n direct issue on the position thus
| laid down by the British and American
| officials. On the contrary, there is said
| To be n growing disposition on the part
| of Germany to hold Herr Rose ac-
| ~ an .r.. .sAl,
| he has directed the governments For Il
| time he was sustained With the natural
| desire TO protect him in the proper dis
| charge OF his duties. but the German
| authorities have not contemplated that
he would carry the matter to an open
rupture and result in bloodshcd. On
! that account there is good reason to
| believe that the German Government
| VIII not sustain Herr Rose and that
official information in that direction
! has already been conveyed.
SHARP DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES.
The diplomatic exchanges leading up
| to this crisis have been very sharp
within the last few days. Early last
! week the Berlin government received
direct Information from Samoa that
Admiral l[autZ had arrived there and
| had summoned meeting of all the
| officials for March llth. The German
authorities felt sure this meeting would
result in serious trouble. The Berlin
Foreign Office therefore instructed the
German Ambassador here DR.. Won
Holleben, to present n note embody-
Ing Gorman%'S Views. 1t argued that
n naval commander had no right to
act save in executing the will of the
three consuls, acting unanimously, and
not through n majority. But aside
from this argument the German note
minated quite plainly that Germany
would hold the other governments re-
sponsbie IL serious trouble resulted
from the action OF the naval authorities
III Samoa. The strained conditions
caused by this note were somewhat al
laycd by the answer Of the State De-
partment. which was friendly and reas-
surfing, although it made plain that the
American naval commander would act
in an emergency, even though the con-
Suls were not unanimous in requesting
action. 1t is Just such an emergency
that has now occurred in Samoa
A CLASH NOT APPREHENDED
There is no apprehension here that
an actual clash will occur with the
German civil or naval forces in Samoa.
This IS due mainly TO the official under
standing that Germany has given posi-
tive orders TO the commander of the
German warship Fake TO refrain from
any active move.
THE ENGLISH VIEW.
London. March Gothic morning pa
ners comment on the serious news from
Samoa, the presumption being that the
cruiser Taraunea was stopped at the
Fill Islands by the Admiral because re-
CURED for service at Samoa.
The Standard says: The rebellious
chiefs must be coerced and punished.
and something more than a nominal
penalty will be required for the blood of
British and American sailors. The
German authorities at Apia have in