Mr. Wharton to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, March 3, 1893.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 28th ultimo, stating the objections entertained by Her Majesty’s Government to the appointment of Mr. William Hennings to be president of the municipal council of Apia, as proposed by the German Government.
A few days previously I received from the German legation a memorandum, dated February 24, informing me that in consequence of the final decision of Her Majesty’s Government not to accede to the proposed appointment of Mr. Hennings, the Imperial Government withdraws its original proposal for the simultaneous appointment of Mr. Ide as chief justice of Samoa, and intends shortly to make new suggestions for the appointment of candidates to both offices.
While awaiting further proposals in this regard, I beg to suggest that inasmuch as Mr. Ide’s appointment has already received the cordial approval of the three governments, and as this Government has no candidate in view at this time to succeed Baron Senfft, the selection of a substitute may be left in the first instance to the British and German governments, in the supposition that an agreement between them in regard to the president of the municipal council would in all probability [Page 588] be coupled with the renewed presentation of Mr. Ide’s name for the chief-justiceship. But in any event this Government holds itself free to act upon both nominations or to suggest new candidates, should occasion require.
I have, etc.,
Acting Secretary.