The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-01
THE SAMOAN QUESTION
Baron Won Buelcw Discusses IT
in the Reichstag.
MUST BE A REIMBURSEMENT
Confident That Trouble Will Be Disposed
o. With Due Protection to German
1nterests-Will Enforce Settle
mont OF War Claims

Berlin, Feb. 2S--The minister Of for.
ing in the reichstag to-day to a ques-
ton regarding Anglo German CONNER
cial relations, said Great Britain in
February, 1898, communicated to the
German government the draft Of an ex-
tensive treaty which was carefully ex-
anined and answered by counter
draft to which no reply has yet been
received. With reference to South
America, the minister of foreign af-
fairs said he was not aware that any
of the South American states was de-
sirous of renouncing their commercial
treaty with Germany, while on the con
trary, he added. several of them had
made proposals for closer treaty ar
engagements.
The minister touched upon German
interests elsewhere, including Morocco,
referring to which country he said that
unless the claims of German subjects
were speedily settled the demands for
such settlement would be supported by
German warships. With reference to
Cuba the minister said the German
firm Of Schneider & Fisher claimed q
100000 marks and the firm of Lobecks,
their successors, claimed 1,0O0.0 900 marks
compensation for losses during the
war. while other claims aggregated $780,
900 marks. 1t would not be easy the
minister pointed out to secure redress.
but the German government would
support the claims as much as posi-.
Bile and would endeavor to see that
Germans should not come off any worse
than others.
The minister then discussed the Sa-
moan situation, saying that by the
general act of 1889, the triple alliance
was established over these Islands II
the condominium is wont to lead to un-
pleasantness this would be still more
the case with the tridominium. Since
the act came into force, he said, there
had been no lack of friction between
the representatives of the different
powers, which was due to the disorderly
character of the population. AS early
as 1891 deep rooted fernent showed
itself in Samoa and in 1893 civil war
broke out between the followers of Ma
taafa and Malietoa and in consequence
Of the Intervention of the German and
British naval forces, Mataafa was de-
ported. A fresh insurrection, which
broke out in 1894, was ended after the
German and British ships had inter-
vened. In the overthrow of Tamasese
last year the three tonsuls proposed
that Mataafa be brought back and Ma
lietoa concurred. The powers assented
At this juncture Malietoa died, but the
three consuls declared that his death
was no impeachment to the recall of Ma
taafa, who returned on board Ger
man warship to Samoa for installment
as successor to Malietoa. There arose
an opposition party who proclaimed
Tanu, who was still minor, a candi-
date for the throne. Both parties APP
pealed to the decision Of the chief JUS
4 M 49, h. e..
Open fighting ensued, resulting in Nit
taafa's victory. The three consuls. the
foreign minister then asserted, recog-
ni1ed the fat accompli and a provis-
ional government was formed from
Mataafa's followers. The minister Of
foreign affairs then said:
THE final settlement of the success
sion rests with the powers. I refrain
from delivering decisive Judgment on
the whole course of events in Samoa
until the written reports arrive and are
closely examined. But hold strongly
to the hope that we shall succeed in
disposing also Of these troubles In Sa-
noa, with due protection for German
rights and interests and in a manner
which corresponds with the friendly re-
lations existing between the three gov
ernments concerned. That things in
Samoa require readjustment is a prin-
ciple acknowledged on all sides. It
cannot be denied that the tridominium
has not stood the ordeal. We are pre-
pared. on our part, to consent to clean
separation IL the two other powers con-
sent 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 curtailed
or our interests to suffer diminution,
but we shall also respect the rights ac-
cruing to others by virtue of the Sa-
moan act"