The Portland daily press., 1899-03-01
The SITUATION IN SAMOA.
statement by the German Minister of
Foreign Affairs.

Berlin, February 2s-During the session
today Of the budget committee Of the
Reichstag the minister OF foreign affairs,
Baron Won Buelow made u statement
relative to affairs in China. He said that
In view Of the anti.foreign irritation par
ticularly the fact that several Germans
were grossly insulted and afterwards as
saultel at Tien-Tsin last Saturday. he
had instructed the German minister at
perfectly clear that ! I such acts were not
severely punished or II there was n recur-
renee Of such acts. grave consequences
would ensue for the Chinese government
He added:
1--WE do not interd to interfere in the
Internal affairs of China. but, duty COM
pels us to protsct the lives and property
OF Germans.
The foreign minister then discussed the
question Of Samoa, saying that by the
general act OF 1859 the triple rule OF
Germany, Great Britain and the Unitel
Stntes was established over those islands.
II con- dominium was won't to lead to up-
pleasantness, this would be still more the
case with 'ri-dominium. Since the act
came into force, he omit nued, there had
b. en- no lack OF friction between the re
was due to the disorderly character OF tue,
population. As early as 1891 deep rooted
ferme1t showed itself In Samoa and In
1893 civil war broke. out between the fol
lowers Of Malistoa and Mataafa and. in
con sequence OF the Intervention Of .
German and BRUSH naval for yes, Mat iafa
was deposed and fresh insuIrsctis N
which broke out in 1894, was onded after
the German and British ships had 10 er
vened. In the overthrow OF laDiasese last
year, the three consuis proposed that Ma
taafa be brought hack and Malietoa con-
CURED. The powers assented. A this
iuncture Malietoa died but the three con-
suls declared that his death was no i'm
pediment to the recall of Mataafa, who
returned on board a German warship to-
Samon for instalment as successor to
Malietoa. There also arose an opposition
party who proclaimed Ianu, who was
still q minor, D candidate for the throne.
Both parties appealed to the decision OF
tho chief justice. who pronounced in favor
of Tanu. Open fighting eusued. resulting
In Mataafa's victory. The three consuls,
the foreign mini ster then asserted, recog-
liked the Fait Accompli and provisional
government was formed from Mataafa's
| followers, The minister Of foreign affairs
then said:
1.-The final settlement Of the succession
rests with the powers ! refrain from de-
| livsring a decisive judgment on the whole
course of events in Samoa until the writ
| ten reports arrive and are closely ex-
amined. But / bold strongly to the hope
| that we shall succeed in disposing also of
these latest troubles In Samoa, with due
protection for German rights and interests
and in manner which corresponds with
the friendly relations existing between
| the 5hree governments concerned.
THAT things in Samoa require read
justment is u principle acknowledged on
/ both gidaa If cHnnOt ha dpnipd TINT the
tri -dominium has not stood the ordeal.
We are prepared on our parts to consent
to a clean separation, If the two other
powers consent. But as long as this
agreement does not exist, We shall hold TO
| the act of 1889 and we shall not allow the
rights which that act gave us to be cur
| tailed or our interests suffer diminution.
But we shall also respect the rights ao-
cruing to Others by virtue of the Samoan
act