Mr. Bayard to Count von Arco-Valley.
Washington , November 21, 1888.
Sir: In consequence of the verbal communication made to me by you yesterday under the instructions of your Government in relation to the interests of Germans and of Americans at Samoa, I have communicated the purport of your statements and our conversation to the American minister at Berlin, in order that a complete and amicable understanding may be had between the representatives of the two Governments in relation to Samoan affairs.
I have informed our representative in Berlin, and shall similarly instruct the United States consul at Samoa, that every endeavor is to be made to avoid all friction or conflict of interests between the citizens of the two Governments in their business operations in those islands.
In case of any question arising which can not be promptly and satisfactorily arranged between these officials, then the points in dispute shall at once be remitted for decision to Berlin or to this capital.
I believe it was clearly understood between us that the present condition of affairs at Samoa had been reported similarly to the foreign office in Berlin and to this Department, and that when the dispatch from this Department was read to Baron von Holstein he stated he had received the same account from the German representative, and that his Government was indifferent as to the choice of their King by Samoans, only requiring that German interests should not be injured.
Certainly this would be also the wish of this Government, and being thus agreed I hope you will recommend to your Government that its officials in Samoa should be instructed to co-operate with the officials of the United States for the peaceable conduct of affairs in those regions, [Page 181] and if any cause of difference should arise which could not be arranged by ther joint efforts, in such cases resort should at once be had to the home Government of either party, in order that an amicable result can be reached.
Accept, etc.,