Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-15
(By Telegraph to virginian- Pllot.)

(By Telegram PHI to virginian- Pilot)
Washington. April 14.-The cabinet
meeting to-day, which lasted longer
than usual, was devoted principally to
the discussion of the Samoan situation
and the instructions to the American
commissioners to the Cars disarma
ment conference at The Hague
a complete written report concerning
the preliminaries leading up to the hos
ti.tics, which was made to the Sec
re;ary of the Navy by Admiral Kautz.
was read to the cabinet by Secretary
Long. 1t throws some additional light
upon the complications prior to the Adj
miral's arrival, the most important fact
brought out being that the three Con-
suls. American. British and German, at
the time OF the Admirars arrival at
Apia, had recognized the revolutioniss IS
under Mataafa.
TIE MATAAFA UPRISING.
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 recognizing
Mataafa as King. Chaos was threat
ened and the American and British
residents considered themselves in peril
OF their lives. a massacre was fear
cd and under these circumstances tho
American and British Consuls Joined
with the German in recognizing the
provisional government under Mataafa
To Admiral Kautz, upon his arrival,
however. the British and American
Corsuls explained that they had been
forced to this action by the duress of
the situation. The Admiral at the
conference aboard the Philadelphia,
having satisfied himself that Chief JUS
tice Chambers decision was in aocord-
ance with the Berlin treaty, Informed
4Ahe consuls that they had no power to
"a olate its provision. and with the full
&cquescence of the British and Amerl-
can Consuls he issued his manifesto de-
solving the provisional government and
Malietoa was crowned king. The
counter proclamation of the German
Consul and the Smelling of the native
villages were recounted in the press
dispatches which followed.
INFORMATION WITHHELD.
The Instructions of this government
to the commissioner appointed to repre-
sent the United States at the Cars dis
armament conference, which is to meet
Aft The Hague during the latter part OF
way. have been prepared by Secretary
nay, and were read at the meeting
Although the sympathy OF the United
states for the Cars proposal is well
Understood, the exact nature Of the IN
structlons to our commissioners Is he
lEg carefully guarded. 1t would be
manifestly improper to disclose our Off
cial position at the conference in ad-
vance.
INSTRUCTIONS AGREED UPON.
Washington. April 14.-After hearing
this morning from the British and
German embassies, the State Depart
ment was enabled to announce posi-
lively and finally that the three parties
10 the Berlin treaty had agreed upon
the instructions to be given their Sa-
moan commissioners, and that n vas
certain that the commission would
leave San Francisco on the 25th instant
for Samoa on the Badger.
POWER OF COMMISSIONERS
The instructions to the commission
ers are identical, the three govern
ments having accepted a form which
compromises the differences that have
existed up to this point. The commits
sion Will be empowered to deal with
the situation as ii finds it in the Sa-
moan islands upon its arrival. This ap-
plies to acts necessary to place the af-
fair Of the islands in n peaceful and
satisfactory condition for the time be-
ing. Whatever the commission does in
this direction is understood to be of a
temporary character and subject to the
approval of the three powers.
AS to the merits of the bitter con-
troversy between the representatives of
the powers on the islands which led
UP to the unfortunate outbreak of April
i. the commissioners are expected to
make 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 recommendations may be ac-
cepted for changes in the treaty.
AT the British and German Embassies
the samoan commission is considered
settled beyond further question. and all
attention is now being given to the de-
parture OF the commissioners.
GERMANY ANNOUNCES AGREE
MENT. :.
Berlin. April 1.-THE Minister of For