Sir Julian
Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham.
British
Embassy,
Washington, May 8,
1894.
Sir: I transmitted to the Earl of Kimberley
copy of your note of the 2d ultimo, together with its inclosure,
respecting the Samoan land commission, and the enforced departure of the
U. S. commissioner.
I have now the honor, in accordance with his lordship’s instructions, to
inclose copy of a dispatch, which has been received at the foreign
office from Consul Cusack-Smith, suggesting that Mr. Chambers should be
requested to return to Samoa in two months’ time in order to complete
the work of the commission. Lord Kimberley desires me to express the
hope that you may be able to prevail on Mr. Chambers to accede to that
arrangement.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Smith to
Earl of Rosebery.
My Loud: With reference to the land
commission I have the honor to report that the U. S. land
commissioner, Mr. Chambers, leaves Samoa to-day. No one has arrived
to relieve him, and a delay of at least five weeks must, in any
case, occur before the work of the commission can be fully
resumed.
If the United States have not already appointed a fresh commissioner
it might greatly expedite the conclusion of the commission’s work if
Mr. Chambers would return to Samoa in two months’ time.
This he has privately told me he is willing to do, and that provided
the remaining commissioners work steadily during his absence the
labors of the commission should be completed within six weeks.
Mr. Chambers, had he been able to remain uninterruptedly in Samoa,
would have, so I am well informed, seen the end of all the work in
May.
He only leaves about 500 cases undealt with, and to him is mainly due
the great acceleration in the working of the commission since
November 3, 1893.
Mr. Chambers has been popular with all sections of the community.
I have, etc.,
