prior to the meeting of the Conference; probable effect of the deportation of Malietoa: restoration of status quo must be firmly pressed; rejection of this proposition to be accepted only ad referendum; its possible postponement; restatement of the principles and purposes of the Conference of 1887, as to Samoan independence and equality of rights of the treaty powers; difference in conclusion of the parties to the conference; the German proposition of German supremacy of interest, as supported by Great Britain, and explained by the declaration of the German minister; objections by the Government of the United States; the President can not accept Germany's plan for the appointment of a mandatory" as satisfactory; effect of such a proceeding would be the ultimate supremacy of Gerniany in Samoa: the Govern ment of the United States will protect the rights and interests of its citizens in the South Pacific; but has no desire to dominate, and every wish to develop a stable and just Government; troubles have arisen from the conduct of competing merchants and land speculators; danger of placing the Government of the islands practically in the hands of one of these competing interests; the interests of the United States in a naval station in the South Pacific; increase of American commerce there; this Government can not accept even temporary subordination there; the proposition as formulated by the respresentatives of the United States as to a plan of settlement of all the difficulties in Samoa; its points of weakness and its elements of strength considered; disposition of the President to give weighty consideration to whatever plan the conference may sug gest: but it is the desire of the President (1) that the intervention of the three treaty powers in the Government of Samoa shall be only temporary and limited; (2) that such intervention shall be on terms of absolute equality; (3) that in any arrangement for the establishment of order too much importance can not be given to the adjustment of claims and titles to land (the land question discussed, and the value of an adjustment of titles and claims set forth) and (4) that the importation and sale of firearms and alcoholic liquors be prohibited or regulated propositions beyond the scope of this instruction not to be considered by United States representatives; conditions under which Germany's declaration of martial law in Samoa and subsequent course may be referred to by the United States commissioners in the conference; immediate reference of conclusions reached to the Department; incloses protocols of the conference and Mr. Bates's report to Mr. Bayard. Samoan affairs: Report of the Secretary of State on the general act signed at Berlin, June 14, 1889. Resumption of the conference of 1887 set forth in correspondence sent to Congress by President Cleveland in February, 1889, and later, reasons were given by President Cleve land for leaving appointment of commissioners to the conference to the incoming administra tion. The commissioners named; recital of the powers and instructions in general Five specific heads of instruction: 1. Restoration of the status quo. 2. Organization of a stable governmental system for the islands. 3. Ad. justment of claims to and titles of lands. 4. Prohibition or regulation of the importation and sale of fire-arms and alcoholic liquors. 5. The position of the municipal administration of Apia left to the commissioners to decide at the conference, with reference to the promotion of peace and order by maintaining a neutral terri 349 Mr Blaine to the President, Jan. 7 (report).-Continued. Subject. tory in and about Apia. The conference met at GREAT BRITAIN. Page. 1889. 1049 Mr. Bayard to Mr. Phelps... Jan. 23 The Bridgewater: An American vessel of that 925 Mr. White to Mr. Bayard... Feb. 20 Passports: Application of Herman Keller; refused 928 Same to same Feb. 23 1089 Mr. Bayard to Mr. White... Mar. 1 1002 Same to same. 9 Mr. White to Mr. Blaine Mar. 5 a passport pending reference to the Depart- Shipment of seamen on American vessels at St. Passports: Application of Herman Keller; his 424 444 446 447 419 449 25 Mr. Blaine to Mr. Lincoln... June 25 Extradition of Thomas Barton: Examined at Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Blaine... July 10 Passports: Application of Rudolph Ernest Brün July 11 July 31 84 now; his father's status; an account of the ap- tions. Extradition of Thomas Barton: Form of certifi Aug. 26 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Ca- Mr. Adee to Mr. Lincoln.... Aug. 31 Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Blaine.. Sept. 19 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana 450 450 453 453 457 460 461 Sept. 27 Sept. 24 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana- Extradition cases: Blank form for sworn infor Extradition cases: Incloses copies of the De- 462 462 463 464 466 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AT WASHINGTON. The Bridgewater: An American vessel seized and held by the Canadian authorities; refers to a note on the subject to Mr. Edwardes, dated June 22, 1888; Mr. Edwardes transmitted the note to his Government, but nothing has been heard in regard to the case since; admission by Canadian officials as to irregularity of pro ceedings against the Bridgewater led this Government to hope for a prompt and satisfactory adjustment of the claim; requests Mr. Herbert to bring the matter again to the attention of Her Majesty's Government. The Bridgewater: Telegram by Mr. Herbert to Lord Salisbury; the reply stating that as the case is still pending in court the Canadian gov. ernment is unable at present to express an opinion upon it. Mosquito Reservation: Discusses Mr. Bayard's Views in regard to the position required of Great Britain by treaty stipulations, and the award of the Emperor of Austria in the matter of the free port at Greytown, and payment of the annuity to the Mosquito Indians; also upon the subject of the position of the United States Government, as not bound by the award of the arbitrator; object of the treaty of Managua; analogies cited by Mr. Bayard; Great Britain has no desire to assert anything in the nature of a protectorate over the Mosquito reserve. Contract Laborers: Arrival of seven British subjects on the steam-ship Obdam, furnished with letters to some one in Texas from whom employment was to be secured; detention of the men on the ground that the letters were contracts; character of the men; action of the British consul-general in New York; urgency of the case. Contract Laborers: The case of the seven British subjects who arrived on the Obdam; attention of the Secretary of the Treasury called to the matter, and a request made for their deten tion in New York until further investigation; orders accordingly issued by the Secretary of the Treasury by telegraph; Treasury circular on the importation of contract laborers. Contract Laborers: The case of the seven British subjects who arrived on the Obdam; order of the Secretary of the Treasury too late, the steam-ship having sailed on the return voyage with the men on board; views of the Department asked as to the status of these men under the contract labor law. Extradition: Probable consequences of decision of Commissioner Edmunds at Philadelphia in the case of Thomas Barton, charged with forg ery; form of certificate of authentication held to be defective; adoption of the form; a new form suggested; copy of old form inclosed. Contract Laborers: The case of the seven British subjects on the Obdam; incloses letter of the Secretary of the Treasury reporting action of the authorities in the premises. 467 467 4CS 470 470 473 474 475 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AT WASHINGTON-Continued. No. From and to whom. Date. Subject. Page. Contract laborers: The case of the seven Brit- Moussa Bey: Incloses copy of dispatch from the 476 477 478 478 GREECE. 1889. 168 Mr. Fearn to Mr. Blaine Feb. 20 .... Joint stock companies: Article I of the treaty be. 77 Mr. Adce to Mr. Fearn..... Sept. 19 Joint stock companies: Provisions of article I of the treaty between the United States and Greece in relation to joint stock companies; Mr Fearn's dispatch on the subject submitted to the Attor ney-General for an opinion as to whether or not the Department should instruct the minister to give the Hellenic Government an assurance in the form of a simple declaration of the status of such corporations in the United States; copy of the Attorney-General's opinion inclosed; No objection to the Department's giving such instructions provided the assurance be given under the treaty and subject to the appropriate laws of the United States and the several States; a special agreement is not thought necessary; a proper precedent for the present case is to be found in the protocol of conferences and declarations concerning judicial procedure signed at Madrid, January 12, 1877; in this view nothing further than a protocol setting forth the desire for a rec.procal understanding on the subject would seem to be required as introduc. tory to a declaration by the United States minister of the rights of joint stock companies in the United States, and a reciprocal declaration by the Greek minister for foreign affairs. Aspersions by the United States consul-general at Cairo upon the methods of Greek merchants in the Levant and incidentally upon the Greek people, printed consulat reports, No. 96, of August, 1888: Are altogether unnecessary and unjust; the publication, brought to the attention of Mr. Phelps, United States minister at London, who 480 481 483 |