Mr. Foster to Baron Ketteler.
Washington, October 6, 1892.
Sir: I had for some time had under consideration a communication addressed to my predecessor by Baron Senfft von Pilsach, the president of the municipal council of Apia, renewing the tender of his resignation and urging its acceptance, when I received your note of the 6th of July last, communicating the intention of the Imperial Government to refuse the renewed request of Baron Senfft, there being, in its [Page 650] judgment, no occasion to reverse its form and inviting the acquiescence of this Government in so doing.
Being disposed to regard the first tender of Baron Senfft’s resignation in October, 1891, as a hasty act, this Government was well disposed to offer no impediment to the course which the other powers adopted in urging its withdrawal; and the hope was, moreover, indulged in that the undesirable friction which had unfortunately developed between the chief officials of the Samoan administration might soon disappear.
In view, however, of the declaration now made by Baron Senfft von Pilsach that nothing has occurred that could have weakened the reasons of his first request, and sharing his frankly expressed belief that “frictions between those officials would be more prejudicial to the working of the Berlin treaty than any other frictions,” I am disposed to believe that it is best for the three signatory powers to accede to the Baron’s request to be allowed to resign his office, in which for some time he has manifestly continued with great reluctance.
Accept, etc.,