The Secretary informed the British Minister, Sir Julian Pauncefote,
that the proposition submitted by the German chargé for the vacation
of the offices of chief justice and municipal president were made
without previous consultation with him, the Secretary; neither had
he considered the names of any persons to fill the vacancies.
Messrs. Ide and Hennings, the persons named by the German chargé as
suitable for the places, had not been considered by the Secretary
until suggested by the German chargé. The Secretary further said
that he had made inquiry respecting the standing and qualification
of Judge Ide and the information received was of a very satisfactory
character. He had no knowledge of Mr. Hennings except he was
informed that he had long been resident in the Pacific Islands,
especially at Fiji, where, it was stated, he had held office under
the British Government, although it was understood he was a German
subject. If these two nominations were approved by the British
Government, the Government of the United States stood ready to
accept them.
The Secretary suggested to Sir Julian that in view of the provisions
of the treaty it would be well to first communicate to the
respective consuls the fact that the treaty powers had decided that
it was best for the harmonious administration of affairs in the
Samoan Islands that new appointments be made for the offices of
chief justice and president of the municipal council, and that
having accepted the resignation of the latter they would be prepared
to accept the resignation of the chief justice. This the Secretary
suggested as a preliminary step to the appointment of their
successors.
Sir Julian stated that he would communicate the substance of this
interview to Lord Rosebery by telegraph and confirm more fully by
mail.
Mr. Secretary: Sir Julian Pauncefote called
and said that he had just received a telegram from Lord Rosebery, of
which the accompanying paper is a paraphrase. He did not know who
Mr. William Hennings is. Neither do I.
It has been proposed by the Grerman Government that the municipal
president and the chief justice of Samoa should be recalled and
Messrs. Ide and William Hennings appointed to succeed them. Her
Majesty’s Government have informed the German Government that
they reserve their opinion as to the new appointments, but agree
to the recall.
