Evening star., 1899-03-30

the State Department. His purpose was to
confer with the Presid entf regarding the
Samoan situation. The Secretary said that
no official news had been received at the
State Department either in denial or con-
hrma ton of the press dispatches. He was
inclined to believe that the dispatches were
correct, but he did not anticipate any Sc
riOus international complications. He inti-
mated that Great Britain. Germany and
this country have an unders standing as to
Samoan affairs which will prevent trouble.
The disagreements of the consuls of the
respective countpies will not go SO far as
to lead to serious trouble among the coun-
tries themselves. Secretary Hay was at
the White House later in the day, but was
not possessed of additional informa ton
Assistant Secretary Allen of the Navy
Department was also one of; the Presidents
visitors. At his first visit nothing had been
received from Admiral Kautz. Later how
ever, he took the dispatch which described
the situation as improving.
fhe President very much regrets that
serious trouble has arisen, but requested
full information from our officials in Samoa
at the earliest possible moment. Mean
while the negotiations for settlement of
the questions is progressing between the
three governments
Mystffied by Today's Report.
The cable of Admiral Kautz seems to
have mystified the government officials here
instead of shedding any additional light
upon the situation. The officials are at
loss to understand whether the dispatch
was sent before or after the hostilities oc-
CURED. The dispatch of Admiral Kautz.
dated Samoa, March 49, to which he refer
red in his cable dated Auckland today it is
learned gave the results of his inyesiiea-
tlons INTO the situation after his arrival
ms conclusions fully sustained the conten-
tlon or the British and American consuls
Whlch was in accord with the conclusions
reached by the British naval commander.
Capt. Sturdy of the Porpoise. The dispatch
OF the 10th probably left Apia on or prior
70 the 10th instant. The German embassy
mere received advices forwarded by the
same steamer to Sidney, which reported the
arrival of Rear Admiral kautz and said he
ndu caiied conference of the consuls on
ooard the Philadelphia for the 11th
80 rar as the text Of the dispatch given
out today goes absolutely no mention is
made of the result of the meeting aboard
the Philadelphia any of the subsequent
events reported in the press dispatches. so
Iar as the advices given to the public by
the Navy Department are CONCERNED If is
only known that Rear Admiral kautZ's in
Vestlgations sustained the position taken by
the American and British representatives
at Samoa, and that the situation since the
date of that report had improved during the
time before the last brief dispatch received
today via Auckland was sent.
Instructions Failed to REACH Kautz
A new and rather acute comblieation on
the Samoan situation developed during the
day, when it was understood that Admiral
hautz mad been advised not to act except
on the authority of all three consuls. How
iaf there was a reservation covering such
an emergency is not known. The last ad-
wees, II is understood We're in accord with
the provisions of the Berlin treaty which
reclteS that the action shall be through
unanimous authority of the three consuls
mere has been danger, it is said, that de-
c.siVe ACTON might be taken by the ad-
hlral before the late advices reached him
anu tne report OF bOmbardment indicate
tnat these fears have been raaiized If this
condltlon exists, the explanation of the in
cloent VIII be attended with considerable
embarrassment, as the admirals action will
De open to the construction that they were
contrary to the adVices en- route to him
aHhough not contrary TO the instructio
actually IN hand at the time he acted.
A Commission Favored.
1t also developed during the day that the
exact proposition now pending between th4
three governments for the solution of the
whole Samoan trouble is for the three gov
einments to name special commission to
meet in Samoa and try to reach an agree
ment, thus taking the matter out of the
hands OF all the officials who have thus far
peen unable to avoid complica tions 1t is
sald, also, that this proposition Is gaining
laVor with all three governments
Although the British amba assa a. dor and the
secretary of the German embassy called on
the Secretary of State today, nothing new
was developed on the Samoan question