Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-20
The SAMOAN DIFFICULTY
Now Believed to Be Safely Within Diplo'
matte Adjustment
The German President of the Munich
pal Council to Leave Apia
Tomorrow.

What is regarded as an inspired sugges-
ton coming from Berlin, to the effect that
the differences between the powers party to
the treaty of Berlin relative to Samoa could
best be adjusted by mutual disclaimers for
the objectionable acts of their agents at
Apia, is regarded here as evidence that the
whole matter is now entirely within the line
of safety, and that the disputes are about
to be committed to adiustmen by diplo-
matte means, the principals being at Wash
ington, London and Berlin, instead of at
Apia.
To Leave Apia Tomorrow.
Contrary to the accepted belief here, the
German president of the municipal council,
Raffel has not yet left Apia, but informa-
ton has reached here hat ne will sail from
there tomorrow, Thus viii be removed from
the scene one of the most threatening fac
tors. Raffel is said TO have many good
qualities and to have acted with humanity
in giVins, shelter to the partiZanS of MaIe-
toa when they We're in great distress from
the attacks of the Mataafa men, though
toward the latter chief. But, on
the other hand, he is man Of
high temper, lacking in tact and
with 10 compromise in his composition, so
that 1t was not possible for the little gov
ernment to be operated peaceably while he
had hand in 1t. Orr government had In
timated that much to the German gov
ernment, and the latter had acquieSced to
the extent of ordering Raffel TO leave Apia
and come 10 Germany, replacing him by
another German. Had he left the island
promptly there would probably not have
been so much trouble as has been expert
enced in selecting the successor to the de-
ceased king. At least, that is the opinion
of the officials here, they will be glad
when he does sail.
Some Misstatements Corrected.
1t is incorrect to state that our govern
msnt has demanded the withdrawal of the
officials of German nationality. Nor has
the German government demanded the
withdrawal OF Chief Justice Chambers, who
is the only official of American nativity in
Apia. But on both sides some acts have
been committed that have aroused the
objection of the other party, and these
objections have been pretty strongly noted
in the official correspondence. Our govern
ment has called attention to the arbitrary
conduct of the German consul. Rose, and of
Dr. Rahel, in connection with the recent
uprising, while the German government has
not failed to object to Chief Justice Cham
bers decision against Mataafa in the con-
test for the succession to the throne and
against the assumption by him of the right
To try and punish German subjects These
issues are not very important, after all
in the opinion of the officials here and read
lly lend themselves to cool, diplomatic
treatment. Touching the question of the
power of the chief Justice, 1t may be noted
that DR.. Rafel himself. who is technically
under indictment by that official, had
been held for contempt of court and for
arroSating to himself certain functions
that are held to appertain to the supreme
court There is no doubt however that
these proceedings will be dropped upon
application for permission for Ranel to
leave the island.