Mr. Gresham to Mr.
von Holleben.
Department of State,
Washington, June 19,
1893.
Sir: Having given due consideration to the
important memorandum of your legation, dated June 13 and delivered at
this Department the same day, in relation to the existing critical state
of affairs in the Samoan Islands, by reason of the defiant attitude of
the disaffected partisans of Mataafa and the apprehended disturbance of
the peace and peril to foreign interests in those islands should King
Malietoa attempt the forcible assertion of his sovereignty over them, I
have the honor to transmit herewith a counter memorandum expressing the
views of this Government touching its duty under the general act of
Berlin, and the steps proposed to be taken by the United States toward
the sole purposes of upholding the authority of the Government which it
united with Germany and Great Britain to establish in Samoa, and
averting bloodshed.
A copy of the inclosed memorandum will be simultaneously communicated to
your colleague, the British ambassador, for the information of Her
Majesty’s Government.
Accept, etc.,
[Page 676]
Memorandum.
The memorandum of the Imperial German legation, dated June 13, 1893,
recites the receipt of advices from the imperial consul at Apia to
the effect that in the absence of war vessels of the three treaty
powers, King Malietoa now proposes to begin hostilities against
Mataafa, which action it is stated is Calculated to endanger foreign
life and property. The Imperial Government, having now one cruiser
in Samoan waters, purposes having another there by the beginning of
next month. In consequence of this situation the views of this
Government are solicited with regard to the question of intended
action in Samoan waters.
The Government of the United States, recognizing the obligation
assumed and equally shared with the two other treaty powers in
consequence of the general act of Berlin, to use all moral and, if
need be, material force for the maintenance of the system of
government which they have joined in establishing in the Samoan
Islands will, in the interest of peace and to avert bloodshed, unite
with Germany and Great Britain in aiding the recognized King,
Malietoa Laupepa, to enforce his authority throughout those islands,
and to execute the provisions of the general act in regard to the
administration and revenues of the islands.
To this end the Government of the United States will forthwith
dispatch one, and if need be, two naval vessels to Samoa, with
instructions to the commanding officer to concert with the
commanders of the like naval forces of Germany and Great Britain
present in those waters with a view to landing an adequate force of
the three powers in order to surround Mataafa and his adherents and
disarm them, thus constraining their obedience to the established
Government and effectively carrying out the intent of the
treaty.
As the present purpose contemplates assisting the recognized King in
maintaining sovereignty over the islands, it is deemed proper that
its execution be left to the discretion of the three chief naval
commanders acting jointly.
Department of State,
Washington, June 19,
1893.
Memorandum.
Having communicated the contents of the Department’s note of the 19th
instant as well as of the annexed memorandum concerning the naval
action in Saimoa to the imperial foreign office at Berlin by
telegraph, this legation has been in the same way instructed to
state in reply, that the Imperial Government agree with the proposal
of joint military action in order to disarm Mataafa and his
adherents.
The Imperial Government will for the present leave the two cruisers
belonging to the imperial navy in the harbor of Apia, and regard the
dispatch of a like number of United States war vessels as most
desirable.
The details of the action to be taken by the naval forces ought, in
the opinion of the Imperial Government, be left to the discretion of
the senior commanders who would eventually consult with the consular
representatives at Apia.
The Imperial Government do not consider the proposed deliberation of
the details of such action by their representative at Washington to
be either essential or expedient.
Imperial German legation,
Washington, June 22,
1893.
