No. 559.
Mr. Bayard to Sir L. S. Sackville
West.
Washington , March 19, 1888.
Sir: It was agreed to consider as confidential the joint protocols of the conference I had the honor to hold in this city last summer with you and the German minister; but in view of all that has since transpired, and the failure thus far to accomplish the ends then sought for, I suggest that, pending further consideration of the Samoan question, each Government be at liberty to publish the joint protocols.
As the President is about to make a communication on the general subject to Congress, I would thank you for as early a reply as may be convenient to this note.
Accept, etc.,