The Portland daily press., 1899-04-01
United States Has Given Informal
Approval.
ENGLISH REPRESENTATIVES, ALSO
APPROVE PLAN.


From Each Country and They WIN
Have Full Power to settle All Points
withou. Any Reference to Their Re-
spcctiye eGoverDments--Kin Oscar
To BE Referee in Case of Disagree
ments.
Washington, March 3i.-A joint high
to settle the entire Samoan
question has been practically agreed upon
by the United States, British and Gsr-
man governments. Lord Salisbury's
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain
though in his absence Sir Thomas
Sanderson and Mr.. villiers who are
understood to be specially familiar with
the Samoan. question have approved the
plan for commission. The United States
has informally expressed its approval
and the formal acceptance it is learned
from the highest quarter, will follow
from Germany, her approval of course Is
assured. THIS joint commission, it is
felt, affords pacific solution to the whole
trouble at the moment when Samoan
affairs began to look the most threaten
ing.
over by Secretary Hay. and the British
and German ambassadors hero and its
essential details worked out. Each
nation Is to bs represented by one msm-
ber on the commission. 1t is to have
practically unlimited authority without
the necessity of referring its decisions
back to the several governments for ap-
ptoval. 1t Is felt that by comforting such
complete and final authority on the high
commission, the danger will be obviated
of any further dead locks and delays.
Still another important provision under
consideration Is that KiLg Oscar of Nor
way and Sweden shall be umpire In case
the thrte o hi9hcom missioners should fail to
re ach determination. The plan of inyit-
Ing King Oscar to referee Disagreement 3
meets ths approval of the British and
German authorities and doubtless will
be approved also by the United states as
means of ensuring tinality of decision,
though it Is not known just how this
has been considered by the Washington
authorities. King Oscar was agreed
upon by the United States and Great
Britain as final arbitrator In connec-
tion with the proposed Anglo-Amerioan
arbitration treaty as we'll as In the Ven.
ezuelAn matter. He is also mentioned in
the tIe,ty of Berlin as the one to name
a chief justice Of Samoa in case the three
signatory powers fail to sgree ON chief
justice.
1t was this that led to the suggestion
Of his name at the present time Co not as
final arbitrator.
Tne expectation is that the sittings of
-. haf tvs xuh ra
for the time being they will have com
plete authority over the whole range of
Samoan affairs, so far as the high COM
mission may think ut to act in or1e- to
fully restore order and establish affairs
on a stable basis.
1t will require no treaty to bring the
treaty into existence as the acceptance
Of the United States and Great britain
will complete the agreement.
1t Ia understood that the men selected
for the mission will be OF high standing
so ss to give added weight and dignity
to ii cir findings, such, for instance. as
the consul general of Germany whose
jurisdiction covers the whole range of
Pacific affairs He is ii man of CON-
Pacific island subjeots as we'll as man
of political influence. The United
States and British commissioners, 1t Is
understood, would be drawn from the
same high rank, with view, however,
to their Information on International
matters of this character rather than
their political standing.
AS showing that the acute phase of the
Samoan question is past. Baron SpeckVo
Sternbera, nrst secretary of the German
EN- bassy left here tonight for New York,
whence no sails on the 9th for London
aud Berlin. He has been most active
factor throughout the Samoan contro-
versy, having made that question u spec
ial study ana thus being able to render
tho ambassador material assistance.
His influence at all times has been to-
ward maintaining the friendly relations
between the two countries and overcom-
ing the causes of irritation His trip to
London and Berlin has no Significance
whatever in connection with Samoan
affairs, but is entirely personal.