Mr. Adee to Mr. von Holleben.
My Dear Mr. von Holleben: Since I spoke to you this morning about the extension of the term of the Samoan land commission, a dispatch has been received from our minister at Berlin, by which it appears that the Imperial Government would consider it advisable (zweckmässig) to make such prolongation for the period of one year, so that the commission, which began its labors on May 30, 1891, would be required to complete them at the latest by the end of May, 1894.
In view of this, your telegram might perhaps take the form of an inquiry whether you are authorized to close an understanding for one year’s extension of the Samoan land commission when Sir Julian shall have learned the assent of the British Government to the proposal.
The appointment of a new United States commissioner could then, as I explained to you this morning, be at once made in order that Mr. Ormsbee’s resignation may not disturb the speedy resumption of the labors of the commission.
I am, etc.,