The record-union., 1899-04-15

Government, Until Admiral
Kautz Arrived, Who Upon
Learning of the Situation, and
After Consulting With the Con-
suIs, Issued the Manifesto De-
posing Mataafa.
| WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Cabi-
net meeting to-day was devoted prin-
! cipally to discussion of the Samoan
| situation, and the instructions to the
American Commissioners to the Cars
disarmament conference at The Hague.
| A complete written report concerning
the preliminaries leading up to the hos
tilities, which was made to the Secre-
tary of the Navy by Admiral KaulZ,
was read to the Cabinet by Secretary
Long. 1t throws some additional light
upon the complications prior to the Ad-
miral's arrival, the most important fact
brought out being that the three Con-
suls, American, British and German,
at the time of the Admiral's arrival at
Apia, had recognized the revolutionists
under Mataafa. The Mataafa uprising,
after Chief Justice Chambers decision
in favor of Malietoa Tanu, the Admiral
indicates, was fomented largely by the
German Consul, who insisted upon rec
ognizing Mataafa as King. Chaos was
threatened, and the American and Brit
ish residents considered themselves in
peril A massacre was feared, and
under these circumstances the Ameri-
can and British Consuls joined with the
Germans in recognizing the provisional
Government under Mataafa
To Admiral Kautz upon his arrival
however, the British and American
Consuls explained that they had been
forced to this action by the duress Of
The situation. The Admiral, at the
difference aboard the Philadelphia
having satisfied himself that Chief
Justice Chambers decision was in ac-
cordance with the Berlin treaty. in
formed the Consuls that they had no
power to violate its provisions, and
with the full acquiescence of the Brit
ish and American Consuls, he issued
his manifesto dissolving the provisional
Government, and Malietoa was crowned
King. The counter proclamation Of
the German Consul and the shelling Of
the native villages, as recounted in the
press dispatches, followed.
After hearing this morning from the
British and German Embassies. the
State Department was enabled TO an
nounce positively and finally that the
three parties to the Berlin treaty had
agreed upon the Instructions to be Civ
en- their Samoan Commissioners, and
that it was certain that the commits
sion would leave San Francisco on the
10Th for Samoa on the Badger.
The instructions to the Commission.
ers are identical, the three Govern
ments having accepted a form which
comprises the differences which have
existed up to this time. The commits
sion Will be empowered to deal with the
situation as it finds it in The Samoan
Islands upon its arrival. This app,ies
to acts necessary to place the affairs
of the islands in a peaceful and satis-
factory condition for the time being.
but whatever the commission does in
this direction is understood to be of a
temporary character, and subject to the
approval of three Powers.
AS to the merits of the hitter con-
troversy between the representatives Of
the Powers on the island which led I'D
to the unfortunate outbreak of April
lst, the Commissioners are expected to
make a thorough, impartial investiga-
ton and report the results to their re-
spective Governments. The latter will
by ordinary diplomatic exchange apply
any corrections that seem to be neces-
sary. The Commissioners will have
no power to alter the treaty of Berlin.
They may make recommendations TO
that end and where they are unanimous
it is probable that their recommends
tions will be accepted for changes in
the treaty.
SAMOAN QUESTION IN THE
REICHSTAG.
BERLIN, April 1.-THE Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Baron Won Buelow. an
nounced in the Reichstag that an
agreement had been arrived at with
Great Britain with regard to sending
a commission to Samoa.
The Interpolation on Samoa was pre-
sented by DR.. Lehr, an extremist. and
was replied to by the Minister of For
eign Affairs, Baron Won Buelow. The
whole affair was looked upon as a fizzle
and lasted only eighty minutes
There was slim attendance of mem
bers in the Reichstag to-day. but the
galleries were crowded. The United
States Embassy was represented at the
session.
The opening speech of the interpel1a-
| ton, to which the Minister of Foreign
Affairs had previously agreed to reply,
was not asked, and it was afterward
said that the signers of the interpella-
ton blundered in entrusting its pre-
sentation to DIR. Lehr. The latter, con-
trary to agreement, made strong refer
ences to economic matters in arguing
against the American and British atti-
tude in Samoa, limiting that Germany
would fight both countries economical-
ly if thwarted politically
The party leaders. one after another,
repudiated DR.. Lehr's declarations.
In substance, the Interpolation, which
was signed by a majority of the Center
Reichs party Conservatives and Ma
tional Liberals, asked the Government
for information regarding the events in
Samoa, and also requested information
regarding the measures taken or to be
1 taken by the Government under the
circumstances.
/ The Minister said the Government
knew nothing of the conflicts said to
have taken place between Admiral
Kautz and the commander of the Ger
Imam warship Fake.