Mr. Foster to Mr. Herbert.
Washington, September 27, 1892.
Sir: I have for sometime had under consideration a communication addressed to the Secretary of State by Baron Senfft von Pilsach, the president of the municipal council of Apia, renewing the tender of his resignation and urging its acceptance.
[Page 566]I have also received a note from the imperial German chargé d’affaires, communicating the intention of the Imperial Government to refuse the renewed request of Baron Senfft, there being, in its judgment, no occasion to reverse its former decision, and inviting the acquiescence of this Government in so doing.
Being disposed to regard the first tender of Baron Senfft’s resignation, in October, 1891, as a hasty act, this Government was well disposed to offer no impediment to the course which the other powers adopted in urging its withdrawal, and the hope was moreover indulged in that the undesirable friction which had unfortunately developed between the chief officials of the Samoan administration might soon disappear.
In view, however, of the declaration now made by Baron Senfft von Pilsach, that nothing has occurred that could have weakened the reasons of his first request and sharing his frankly expressed belief that “frictions between those officials would be more prejudicial to the working of the Berlin treaty than any other frictions,” and while regretting the baron’s insistance upon his purpose, I am disposed to make no effort to overcome his manifest reluctance to continue in the high office to which he had been appointed by the concurrent action of the three powers.
Before responding in this sense, however, I have the honor to inquire what view of the situation is held by Her Majesty’s Government.
I have, etc.,