Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1890

Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian Pauncefote.

Department of State,
Washington , April 8, 1890.

Sir: The delay in securing a full conference with the President touching the appointment of a chief justice for Samoa has necessarily postponed my reply to your inquiry on the subject.

I am now instructed by the President to say that in his judgment the appointment of a chief justice by the King of Sweden, according to the provisions of the treaty, would tend to create greater harmony in Samoa, where the tripartite treaty is about to be put in operation, than the appointment of that officer by any one of the signatory powers.

I shall be glad if you will communicate this opinion of the President to the Imperial Government of Germany, which originated the plan of taking a chief justice from England.

I am, etc.,

James G. Blaine.