The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-24
DIFFICULTIES MULTIPLY.
The Samoan Middle Crews More
Complex.
ADMIRAL KAUTZ HAS CALLED
MEETING INTERESTED PARTIES.

10 Cause TroubIc-AmericanA Admir-
ais sustnins ChtefJ jus
tic. and Consul osburne--Engitsh
Naval Officer Agrees with Him.
Washington, March 90. The German
Ambassador, DR.. Won Holleben, called 81
the state department today to iurtner
confer with the officials concerning 'he
Samoan situation. The Berlin authorl-
ties have communicated very freely on
the subiecs within the last few days. and,
as a result Of extended dispatches from
the foreign Office, the ambassador mas
presepted a long note covering tine latest
phases Of the case 1t Is understood eha'
the German adyices confirm the arrival o!
Admiral kautz and the eonvoking ~
him of a meeting of all the officers on the
,,,h inst But they do not show what
resulted. from the meeting. The German
view Ia evidently one OF apprehension Iess
serious results may grow out OF the meet
ing in which event the German view Is
that the responsibilities should be borne
by those.bringing about the meeting
Further than this, questions are arising
rs TO the extent Of authority of the
British and American consuis, acting o.
gether to do anything without the con-
currence u Consul Rose OF Germany
The German view evidently hoics tna'
the Berlin treaty requires the three CON
suls to act unanimously. Another ques-
,ion Is as to ths right OF raval com
mander to take any pollt-cai action. ms
in THAR view. would re-
strict the rights of naval commanders
within very narrow limits, leaving them
simply to execute what the three consuis
by unanimous agreement determine up
on. In view of the questions lnvoiVeu'
news of Admiral kautz's action follow
ing the meeting of the eleventh lnst, Is
awaited with much interest and not
little concern.
Admiral Kautz has sustained fully the
action of the chief justice OF Samoa, so lar
as his Investigation has gone Ever since
the first German and British govern
ments have been separately pursuing IN
yestigations into the matter ana IL was IN
pursuance of our branch OF the inquiry
that Admiral Kautz was sent to Apia. IL
is not understood that his investigation is
complete but at the point where ne
stands, he has felt obliged to sustain the
conclusions reached by the United States
con ul. Luther Osborne, and the justice
himself. IL dieo oPPouAo Nhos
illusions are in exact accord with those
reached by the British naval commander,
Captain Sturdee of the Porpoise, who
was at Apia during the outbreak, ana oil
Aho Mr.. Maxse, the British consul at AplA
was also Il participant. thus here is
an array Of four witnesses com plnee In
their testimony, while opp osed to them Is
the German consul, DR.. Rose. tie GeI-
man government is disposed TO stand
firmly in support of It's representative, al
though 1t has been intimated 10 IL thst
by his retirement, Rose would facllltate u
satisfs ctory and speedy adjustment OF the
complications IN Samoa.
United States to discredit its represen TIA
tive, the Chief Justice, or for the British
poyerpm emit to repuoiate Mr.. Maxse, in
view OF the weight of the testimony IN
their favor, 30 that practical deadlock
has been reached, so far as this matter OIL
chang ne the representation OF the three
powers concerned at Apia is concerned.
Our government knows nothing as yet OF
the reported com bined protest OF the
German citizens of Samoa against MIR.
Chambers. II the German government
cares to proceed to that length. 1t can.
under the treaty of Berlin. request the
United States government to withdraw
him
But in accordance with the provisions
OF the treaty If the United States does not
care to accede to this request, Mr.. Cham
Der. would continue in office unless the
German government managed to secure
the approval for its application OF the
British government.
In view OF the facts above stated, TINS Is
not likely to be had. These conditions
lead up to the belief that there is some
danger of the Reputation of the treaty Of
Berlin and in the present temper OF the
parties, 1t would not be surprising II this
happened without an attempt on their
yart to replace 1t. But 1t Is believed that
even In that event some man ner OF modus
vivendi will be provided TO prevent ar
other such clash between the conflicting
interests as happened ten years ago, re-
snlfinp in the treaty. of Belrin.