Show AN AJIEMCAN SHIP The Officers of the Constitution Speak Their Piece SLIGHT DOUBTS ARE EXPRESSED T Termans Think the Samoan Troubles wn be Settled Peacefully AYhat the Press Has to Say APH Samoa March 2 1SS9 per steamer Zelandia San Francisco March 16 Copyright Copy-right by Western Associated Press During the past month the German authorities author-ities both consular and naval have maintained main-tained a state of inactivity This condition of affairs dates back to the arrival of the steamer Wainui with dispatches for the German consul on January 2 and is no doubt a result of orders then received BECOME A DEAD LETTER The declaration of the state of war in the Samoan Islands seem to have become a dead letter whilo the militiary occupation of Apia which a declarrtion of martial av would seem to have implied has no existence save in the maintenance of a strong guard at the German consulate The guard is still kept up at the American and English consulates The German consul con-sul has made repeated overtures to Mataafa looking toward the adjustment of the quarrel quar-rel and a conclusion of peace but the terms proposed always embodied strong German interest in the future administration of the affairs to which Mataafa declares he will under no circumstances consent RESTS SECURE He rests secure in an entrenched camp and awaits the arrival of Admiral Kimberly berly having full faith in tho support of the United States Tamasese with forces now reduced by direction to about six millions stilll occupies a large fort at Lutuannu The American barkentinc Constitution arrived at Apia February 2 The United steamer Nipsic had again gone to Gutnila and on arrival of the Constitution in port the boats crew from the German corvette Olga came alongside and demanded the papers and announced an intention to search the vessel for contraband material THEY SHOWED TIGHT Captain Colley of the Constitution had i only eight men aboard but informed the Germans that the Constitution was an American ship and if they attempted to board the ship they would be fired upon After some parley the Germans withdrew The Constitution was driven upon a reQf and wrecked during a severe gale a few days later and the crew of the Olga which I ship was lying close by tendered no assistance assis-tance Boats from the Nipsic which was I a mile away rescued the crew of the Constitution Con-stitution sttuton |