Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21
Germany Will Probably ,Repudiatt
b X.
Her Samoan sConsul's Action.
DISCUSSION s By TEE DIPLOMATS
No Protest Has Yet Been Made by
England Or Ourselves.
STATEMENT FROM BERLIN


eminent relating to the critical condition of
affairs in Samoa An extended conference
was held between Mr.. Hay and the ambas-
sador, and soon after another was held be-
tween Mr.. Hay and the British ambassa-
dor. Sir Julian Pauncefote. The dis
patches communicated by the German am
bassador- dealt not only with the ques-
tons of policy involved, but are understood
to have presented in detail the facts of
the recent collision in Samoa as viewed
from the German standpoint. These facts
contribute considerable that has not yet
appeared, and they differ in many very es-
sential particulars from the statements thus
far made. After the several conferences
It was stated by diplomatic official very
high in authority that the latest aspects
of the case We're such as to make peace
full adjustment Of the case possible and
even probable.
No Protest Has Been Yet Made.
The strong impression prevails in high
diplomatic quarters that Germany will re-
pudiate the action of her consul in Samoa,
IT, indeed she has not already laid the
foundation for that line of action. 1t was
stated positively in AUTHORITATIVE quarters
that the United States government had not
up to TINS noon made protest, either alone
or in conjunction with Great Britain.
While the situation is regarded officially
mere as requiring delicate treatment, one
of the parties TO the exchanges that are
taking place is authority for the opinion
that 1t will certainly yield to calm discussion
and that a satisfactory understanding will
be the outcome. This is presumng that
the matter can be handled entirely by the
governments of the three countries either
through their foreign offices or their am
bassadors.
The danger apprehended is the irrespon-
sible action of some minor officials away off
| IN samoa, DeVOnl the Immediate of
the authorities al Berlin, Washington and
London.
Anxious 10 Observe Treaty.
SO far as the last reports indicate, the
issue between the German representatives
and the American and British representa-
tlves in Samoa had certainly not developed
beyond point where it could readily be
adjusted upon a mere statement of the
actual facts, for it is still believed that all
of the parties to the treaty are willing to
live up to its provisions, and that undertake
ing would of course involve a readiness to
dlsaVow any improper action on the part
OF their respective agents, and even go fur
Their and undoqso much of the mischief al
ready done by them ds it might be possible
to reach.
1t must be..recalled, however that the
date of the last advices which our govern
ment has received is nine days ago. and
in the turbulent conditions existing when
the steamer left there were all of the ele-
ments necessary to warrant the apprehen-
sion of further hostile demonstrations. 1t
may be that some one action will instantly
carry the matter over the line of safe treat
ment and put one Of the. parties to the
treaty in position from which pride will
not permit 1t to recede by a disavowal
But II this has not already happened there
is the best Of reason to expect an easy adj
Justment of the Samoan complication, at
least far as events that have already
occurred are concerned.
Lack OF Exact Information.
All of the parties to the treaty are labor
Ing under a lack of exact information as to
what actually occurred at Apia. The state
ments coming from American and German
sources vary in some most important essen
tials, or, at least, leave unmentioned facts
that would largely qualify the matters of
complaint. 1t is not known here just why
Mataafa was disqualified by Chief Justice
Chambers, nor just why the provisional
government was recognized by the three
consuls after that legal disqualification
The fact that the Department of State is
conndent OF Is that the question Of the sue
cess1on to the throne was submitted to the
chief justice. for that was stated in the re-
ports received in the mail preceding the last
dispatches. The submission according to
the treaty of the question, would seem to
indicate recognition on the part of the
consuls of the right of the chief Justice to
adjudicate it, and the treaty expressly
binds all three parties to the obligation to
execute the judgment rendered by the chief
justice.
1t is not even to be guessed here, there
fore, how the German representatives
could have found IT consistent with their
obligations under the treaty to support the
Mataafa party to the extent they did
An UntenabIe Position
AS the Germans appear to make a point
Of the claim that by the retirement of the
chief justice to the British warship he
vacated his office. it may be set down as
certain that that position cannot be I'D
held. inasmuch the official was plainly
under duress in his evacuation, which, of
course, would legally vitiate any claim that
he surrendered his Office.
The treaty does provide that in the evenf
OF the vacation of the office of chief Justice
or In his absence his Office Shall deyolye
upon the president of the provisional coun-
Gil, in this Raffel, but it can hardly be
commended that this would follow if the
chief justice were Obliged to fee for his. life
and only temporarily, and moreover Whera
ne hao bear Obliged to do so in part through
the attitude of one of the parties under
treaty Obligation TO protect his person The
chief justice, although just now an Ameri-
can, is supposed to be chosen without re-
gard to his nationality and is the repre-
sentative not of the nation from Witch ha
comes, but equally of all of the three treatv
powers.
Germany's Official Statement.
AS much turns on the accurate statement
of the facts in this case, the following NAV
be accepted the official German view of
the situation, sent from Berlin: The old
Mataafa was overwhelmingly reelected.
the vote being six to one; but the chief ms
tice annulled the Mataafa election and con-
firmed that of the opposing candidate Ma
lieatoa Tanus, son of Malieatoa QIatter
thought to refer to the old king. but dis
patch does pot diselose). On January 1 a
short fight OCCURRED between the two mar
ties, which ended with the flight of Tanus.
his party ana Tamasese. Thew went o,,
board a British nian-of-war, No foreion
property was injured
The three consu1s-American British and
German-dec1ared cMataafa's party as the
provisional government, until the arrival of
instructions from The powers. The CHIEF
justice also tbpk refuge on board the Rrit-
ish man-of-war, which caused the Samoan
government to declare his functions TEN
porarily suspended, His Office was closed
temporarily by proclamation.
The foregoing official statement it will he
seen, presents important differences TO the
view thus far accepted. In particular II
presents the view that the three consn,s-
German, American and British-acted to-