Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-04-06
SAMOAN DIFFICULTY.
The Absence Of News from the
Island Prevents Action.
GERMAN GOVERNMENT SURPRISED.
The London Times Commends the Ameri-
can, German and British Govern
ments for Their C0nCilia-
tory Temper.

Washington, March 3l.-The serious
condi ton Of affairs in Samoa engaged
the attention Of officials Throughout,
the day, and there were conferences
at the white house between the presi-
dent and Secretary Hay and at the
state department between the secre-
tary and the British ambassador and
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, first sec.
rotary Of the German embassy. But
out OF 1t all not word OF additional
information was contributed from any
official source. The only authorize.
tive statement came from the
navy department giving a brief
dispatch from Admiral Kautz This
threw no light on the latest outbreak,
and, owing to tangle Of dates, it
served only TO further involve the mys-
terry. In view of the fact that the
fighting was widespread and long con-
tinued and that the foreign offices at
London and Berlin had been officially
advised Of the affair, 1t was regarded
as somewhat strange that the state
and navy department should be en-.
tirely without information on
bombardment by an American admiral.
The calls Of Sir Julian Pauncefote
and Baron Sternberg were mainly for
information, for at neither OF the
embassies had there been report of
the occurrence or instructions up to
the time Of the calls. The German
ambassador here has received no ad-
vices relative to the reported bonn bard.
ment by the Americans and British.
From the German standpoint the most
serious aspect is that the lombard
ment will excite public feeling on
both sides Of the water, leading to
popular outbursts which will over
come the efforts to secure settle
ment. The state department here has
not yet received official advices. The
demonstration is regretted, but the
opinion is expressed that Admiral
Kautz acted on what was his best
Judgment and information.
GERMANY WATTS FOR NEWS.
Berlin, March 3l.-The German gov.
eminent was taken wholly by surprise
with the news from Samoa and we'll
informed individual says the govern.
ment here is skeptical as to Admiral
Kautz's instructions lie adds that
the instructions for bombardment
were based on the British and Amer-
can claims that Mataafa was contra.
vening the Samoan act But, the cor.
informant points out, the
contravention was not specified and
the government presumes that IL the
act was really infringed Herr Rose,
the German consul, would also have
as his government had In.
structed him to strictly COP form to the
act The National Zeitung adds that
further information Is necessary to
show whether the Americans and Brit
Ish had sufficient reason for resorting
10 armed Intervention and concludes
with this remark: "Thus far the only
result appears to have been destruc.
lion and anarchy
VIEWS OF THE LONDON TIMES
London, March 3l.-The Times, in
ts leading editorial this morning,
says:
All three governments concerned deserve
redit for the sensible and conclllatory temper
displayed over the events In Samoa Obvious
y no solution Is acceptable under present con
lltons save the maintenance Of the Berlin act
,ut Great Britain Is ready to concert with the
'ther powers in any measure for improving the
ocal situation, such for instance. as dlsarmIng
he natives and forbiddng the importation OF
rms.