Samoan Conference.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 102, 1 May 1889, Page 3

Samoan Conference.

THE OPENING. Berlin, April 29. At the opening of the Conference on the Samoan question today, Count Herbert Bismarck, the President of the Conference, said it was the earnest desire of the Emperor William of Germany that an amicable settlement of the difficulty should be achieved. Germany, said" Count Herbert, had no selfish or secret scheme of annexation or aggrandisement in the Pacific, especially at Samoa, and desired nothing for herself that was inconsistent with existing treaties. He expressed the opinion that the deliberations of the Conference would result in a successful settlement of the questions at issue. Sir E. B. Malet, British Ambassador j at Berlin, and one of the representatives of Great Britain at the Conference, heartily reciprocated these sentiments. ' Mr Kasson, American Minister at, Berlin, and one of the United States delegates, concurred, and hinted that the United States Government hoped that in settling the basis of agreement tho Conference, would not interfere with the autonomy or independence of Samoa. Committees were appointed at today's sitting and the Conference then adjourned, to await reports from the committees. The Emperor William is evincing the liveliest interest in the proceedings.