Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Appendix I, Chinese-Japanese War, Enforcement of Regulation Respective to Fur Seals, Mosquito Territory, Affairs at Bluefields, Claim of Antonio Maximo Mora, Import Duties on Certain Products of Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela, Affairs in the Samoan Islands

Mr. Foster to Sir Julian Pauncefote.

Department of State,
Washington, November 22, 1892.

Sir: In reply to Mr. Herbert’s note of September 1, 1892, relative to an ordinance of the Samoan Government, dated April 25 last, “regulating the collection and arrangement of the revenue customs,” I have the honor to inform you that this Government has also received a copy of this ordinance from the president of the municipal council with the request that it would “order the necessary steps to be taken for the purpose of rendering applicable the provisions of said ordinance to the United States citizens living in Samoa.” I send you herewith a copy of a note dated August 13, from the German chargé in this city, regarding this subject, and of my reply thereto of this date. You will observe that the opinion is expressed that in view of the fact that the three treaty powers are agreed in treating as a nullity the opinion of the chief justice of Samoa, of March 28 last, with respect to the revenues, and will undoubtedly soon make some concurrent expression of that view to the proper Samoan officials, no further action with respect to this ordinance, for the present, at least, seems to be necessary.

I have, etc.,

John W. Foster.

Inclosures.^*

1. From German chargé, August 13, 1892.

2. To Mr. von Hollehen, November 22, 1892.

1. For inclosures, see under Germany.