Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-23
AGAINST US.
King Oscar Decides Samoan
Dispute in Germany's Favor.
United States and England Were
Confident Of the Legality
OF Their Joint Landing at Apia in 1899
to End Revolt.

New York. Oct 22.-king Oscar OF
Sweden and Norway has decided the
Samoan controversy in favor of Ger
many, says a dispatch to the Tribune
from Washington, d. c.
This fact became known on the re-
turn of Mr.. Grip, the minister of Swe-
den and Norway, from long visit to
his home Mr.. Grip called at the state
department. but did not of course dis
close the decision of his sovereign.
which must be formally presented
simultaneously to the three powers
concerned.
The announcement will be a surprise
to the governments of the United
States and Great Britain, who were
confident they had fully established
the legality and propriety of the joint
landing of marines at Apia. in 1899. to
sustain the decree of the Samoan SUI
preme court and end the revolution.
The Samoan dispute grew out of the
concerted action of Rear Admiral
Kautz of the United States navy and
Captain Sturdy of the British navy. in
leading a combined American and Brit
ism force at Apia April l. 1899, for the
purpose of making reconnaissance
and breaking up Mataafa's supporters,
who were in rebellion against the
recognized government
1t was on this occasion that Philip
Landslide. the executive officer of the
Philadelphia. Ensign j. H. Morgan ana
two enlisted Americans and Lieut.
Freeman and two British sailors were
killed.
ipNfI inns
has been received here that King oscar
of Sweden. who is acting as the arDl-
traitor of the issues between the United
States. Germany and Great Britain
growing out of the Samoan rebellion OF
1899. will decide that the facts present.
ed to him warrant him in proceedings
to assess the damages sustained py
foreign residents of Samoa as result
of the landing of a combined force OF
American and British sailors ana ma
r;nes and the destruction of property
incident to the ensuing fight with the
rebels The arbitrator was nrst 10 oe-
clare whether or not the Americans
and British were at all liable Tor DAM
ages and if so to determine the amount.
He has concluded to decide the hrst
question in the affirmative. though IL
is stated here that no official notice TO
that effect has yet been conveyed TO
our government.
The next step is to fix the amount Oh
damage. The German claims amount
TO s1O3.91S, the American claims to $H,-
Goa and the British to only $3.50. what
most concerns the government OF the
United States. however, is the enuncl-
alton of principle which if accepted
as n precedent would be much unpala-
table and would so seriously restrict
the assertion of American rights IN for-
eieo countries in case of revolution or
rioting, putting in jeopardy the lives
and property of our citizens that 1t
would amount to the total wlthdraWal
of protection. This can never De ao-
mitted, and so it may be posltiVely
stated that while the United states
government will accept the arbitration
Loyalty and pay any damages assessed
against it. it will utterly refuse to De
hound by such a principle or to fecog-
niZe it as establishing precedent.