The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-20

them. The deepest concern is felt by all
three parties to the agreement at the out
look The common belief is that the Ger
man representatives in Samoa, in acting in
the arbitrary manner they did, completely
exceeded their instructions from their own
government. 1t is quite certain they ex-
ceeded the authority with which they were
clothed by the treaty Of Berlin. and it is
expected that the German government will
unhesitatingIy condemn their actions as
soon as it has become officially advised as
to what has actually happened. The au-
thorities feel that the greatest element of
danger lies in the possibility of trouble be-
fore Raffel and Rose can be restrained by
government advices. 1t is not conceivable
that they would undertake to carry out the
threat reported to have been made by them
to forcibly board the British gunboat Por-
poise, for even though the latter might have
to reckon with the German gunboat Falka,
lying in her immediate vicinity, it is felt
here that her captain would resist such an
attack or demand to the last extremity.
Neither Of the war ships are very formidable
craft, ranking in offensive power with yes
sells of the Annapolis and Vicksburg class
in the American navy. Still, in the absence
Of anything like Notifications a Apia, they
probably would control the situation within
the range of their guns, including the town
of Apia proper. presuming that they re-
Trained from attacking each other.
While the attention of the public has been
of late drawn from the Samoan islands to
other more important subjects, it appears
that interesting events have been succeeding
one another with rapidity in the islands. 1t
has been realized for a long time past that
there was need for a modification of the
terms Of the tripartite treaty by which we
assumed joint guardianship with England
and Germany, but up to this point it has
not been possible to get all three of the pow
ers to agree upon any one project. Negotia-
tions have been on foot for some time in
relation to the succession to the Samoan
throne, and it is calculated to lead to ill
feeling, at least. that German officials should
resort to a coup detat at this state of the
negotiations 1t is believed that much of
the responsibility for this arbitrary action
must rest upon Raffel, the German presi-
dent of the municipality at Apia, whose
troublesome attitude of late has led to re-
mOnstrance on the part Of the other powers.
There has been an understanding that he
was to be removed to another scene of ac-
tivity, and the supposition is that getting
wind of this intention he has precipitated
crisis before his government could reach
linn with orders. Auckland is 1S00 miles dis
tant, and this lack of communication makes
the situation more perilous than it would be
otherwise. The United States, Great Britain
and Germany, it is believed could easily
reach a satisfactory solution of the crisis in
Samoa if they could deal with the subject
themselves in the usual course, but there is
some fear of ill-considered action on the part
of some of the agents Of these governments
in Samoa before they can receive instruc-
tions from their governments. The inter-
csts of the United States are in the hands of
Mr. Lloyd Osborne, in whose discretion the
State Department reposes great confidence