Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1899 — WARSHIP TO SAMOA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WARSHIP TO SAMOA.

CRUISER PHILADELPHIA ORDER* ED TO THE ISLANDS. Harried Trip to Be Made to Protect American Interests-Action of Ger* many’s Consul Resented at Washington—Demands Explanation. Advices from Apia, the seat of the Samoan government, indicate that the American and British representatives there seized with force and ejected the German consul from the seat of the Samoan government and threw him bodily into the street and then reinstated the chief justice Who had been arbitrarily deposed by the Germans. Emperor William’s representative had taken advantage of the reign of anirchy which existed there, and presumably exists yet, to declare himself dictator of the islands, in defiance of the tripartite agreement made at Berlin between Germany, Great Britain and the United States. The State Department at Washington took immediate steps in the matter. An inquiry as to the meaning of Germany’s conduct was cabled to Berlin. Secretary Long telegraphed the commander of the cruiser Philadelphia, which had arrived at San Diego, Cal., from Acapulco, to proceed at once to Apia. The Oregon, which will soon land at one of the Pacific stations, will probably be dispatched to Apia as soon as a message can reach her commander. ♦ The sitnation at Apia Is said to have as-, Burned a serious phase. It is feared that the German and British gunboats stationed at Apia may clash before word can be sent to the island. Meantime the authorities, both at Berlin and at Washington, view the affair as being one that will ultimately lead to a quarrel and probably war between the two powers. If the

reign of terror should prevail and Germany shows further aggressiveness it is pretty certain that President McKinley will order a part of Admiral Dewey’s squadron to proceed to the islands. The London Times says it would not be surprised to see these islands the theater of hostilities between Germany and the United States. Briefly stated, the Government understands that Germany has done an act so hostile as to call for a heroic remedy, even though it might ultimately be a declaration of war on Germany, in which Amer-

ica would be backed by England. Germany Is charged with violating the tripartite treaty of Berlin, which makes any action relating to the Samoan Islands depending on agreement of the three powers. She is charged with openly encouraging Mataafa in his efforts to overturn the Government constituted by Chief Justice Chambers. Germany Becomes Aggreaaire. Germany, it will be recalled, brought Mataafa back to Samoa on one of its war vessels and practically instigated the revolution against the constituted authorities. The present anarchy has resulted. Germany has taken advantage of the situation and presumably directed her consul to proclaim himself dictator. The critical situation lies >n this: England and America must either assert their authority or surrender the islands to Germany, a policy which was advocated by-Presi-dent Cleveland. The State Department

has acted on information received from the American consul at Sydney, Australia. Auckland is 1,800 miles distant, and this lack of communication makes the situation more perilous than it would be otherwise.

KING MATAAFA.

UNITED STATES CRU ISER PHILADELPHIA.

U. S. COXSULATE AT APIA, SAMOA.