Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-01
THE SAMOAN QUESTION
A Plan Of Settlement Practically
Agreed Upon.
The Essential Details worncd Up
King oscar orNorwny ana Sweden
For Umpire : Charged win Bat
Faith.
(By Telegraph to virglnia-pnot3

\By Telegraph TO NlrSinla-PIlot)
Washington, March Sl-A Joint High
Commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically agreed
upon by the United States. British and
German governments. Lord Salisbury's
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain.
though in his absence Sir Thomas San
derson and Mr.. Vilers. who are UNI
derstood to be especially familiar with
the Samoan question, have approved
the plan for a commission. The United
States has informally expressed its APP
prevail and the formal acceptance, it is
learned. from the highest quarter will
follow speedily. AS the proposition
emanates with Germany her approval
of course. is assured. This high com
mission, it is felt, affords pacific solu-
ton To the whole trouble al the mo-
ment when Samoan affairs begin to
look the most threatening.
DETAILS WORKED OUT.
The new plan has been fully gone
over by Secretary Hay and the British
and German ambassadors here. and its
essential details worked out. Each ma
ton Is to be represented by one mem
pGE Oh ltlG COIllIIllSSlOn. 1t Is 10 nave
practically unlimited authority, without
the necessity of referring its decisions
back to The several governments for APP
prevail. 1t is felt that by comforting such
complete and final authority on the
high commission the danger will be OBJ
waited of any further deadlocks and
delays.
KING OSCAR FOR NORWAY.
Still another important provision I'M
der consideration is that King Oscar OF
Norway ard Sweden shall be the UNI
pirc i'll case tha three high commits
siontrs should fen to reach n determi-
nation. The plan If inviting King Os-
car TO referee a disagreement meets
the arroval OF the British and German
authorities and doubtless will be APP
proved also by the United States as a
means Of ensurins finality of decision
though it is not known just how far
this has been considered by the Wash
inSton authorities. King Oscar was
agreed upon between the United States
ana Great Britain as a final arbitra-
to" in connection with the proposed
Anglc-Anerican arbitration treaty, as
Well as IN the Yer ezuelan matter He
is also mentioned. III the treaty of
Berlin rs the one TO name chief jus
tice of Samoa in case the three sigma
tory powers. fail TO agree on u chief
justice. II was this that led to the
suggestion OF his name at the present
time 10 act as final arbitrator. The ex-
pectation is that the sittings OF the
commission vii, be in Samoa, where
for the time being, they will have
complete authority over the whole
range OF Samoan affairs, so far as the
high commission may think fit to act
in order to fully restore order. and es-
tablish affairs on a stable basis. II
will require no treaty TO bring the
commission into existence. as the ac-
ceptances of the United States and
Great Britain will complete the agree
nont.
THE COMMISSIONERS
1t is understood that the men select
ed for the mission Will be of high stand
ing, so as to give added weight and
dignity 10 their findings, such, for in
stance as the Consul General of Ger
many, whose Jurisdiction covers the
whole range of Pacific affairs. He is
man OF complete information on Sa-
moan and other Pacific island subjects.
as well as n man of political influence.
The Omitted States and British Com
missioncrs would be drawn from the
same rank, with o view. however, to