Mr. Blaine to Mr. von Mumm.

Sir: I have the honor to advert to our late conversation concerning affairs in Samoa, and in particular to a communication which this Government has received from the King of Samoa, complaining that the adherents of the rebellious chief, Mataafa, are defying and obstructing the authority of the supreme court of Samoa, and requesting the assistance of the men-of-war of the three treaty powers to enable the court to execute its warrants. It seems to this Government that, in order to carry out the spirit of the Berlin treaty, it would be advisable for the treaty powers to sustain in some proper and judicious way the present recognized authorities of Samoa. Assistance in support of the authority of the supreme court, if discreetly given, would seem to be well directed, and its moral and demonstrative effect might aid in quieting the existing troubles. I suggest, therefore, the wisdom of similar instructions being given by His Majesty’s Government, by the Government of Great Britain, and by the Government of the United States, permitting any man-of-war of the three treaty powers, which for the time being may be present in Samoa, to render such aid as may be necessary in executing the warrants of the supreme court, such aid to be limited strictly to that purpose and to be rendered by the man-of-war at the request of the consul of its country, who will act in the matter, if the consuls of the three powers shall jointly decide in any particular case that there is necessity for such aid and shall request the consul to have it rendered. I shall be glad to be acquainted with the views of His Majesty’s Government on this subject.

Accept, sir, etc.,

James G. Blaine.