Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham.
Sir: With reference to the proposed combined action of the three treaty powers in Samoa I have the honor to inform you, by direction of the Earl of Rosebery, that telegraphic instructions were, on the 4th instant, addressed by his lordship to Her Majesty’s consul at Apia to the effect that a British man-of-war would be dispatched to Samoa to cooperate in the reestablishment of good order with the vessels of the [Page 595] other two treaty powers, and that the consuls of the three powers would be consulted and should furnish the fullest information, but that the decision as to what steps should be taken is left entirely to the discretion of the naval commanders.
I have, etc.,