Memorandum of German Embassy.
By pursuance of instructions received from my Government, I desire to state the following with regard to Samoan affairs:
First. With reference to a request made by King Malietoa that the final act of the Berlin conference might be altered so as to permit the consuls of the three treaty powers to act as advisers to himself and the Samoan Government instead of the president of the municipal council, the British Government agree with the German Government that the moment is inopportune for making any alteration in the act and that the new president of the municipal council, Mr. Schmidt’s appointment having been definitely sanctioned by the treaty powers, he is expected to insure the successful accomplishment of all duties pertaining to his office. The cooperation of the United States Government in rejecting the Samoan proposal is therefore requested.
Second. It is further suggested to obtain by joint representation to the Samoan Government the removal of the so called secretary of state to the Government of Samoa, Mr. Maben, on the grounds that his fitness for the position must be doubted, that the payment of his salary is a heavy burden upon the Samoan finances, and that after the appointment of a new president of the municipal council the position of adviser to the Government belongs to such official, and the existence of any other adviser must prove unnecessary if not injurious.
The British Government have declared with regard thereto that if the United States and German governments address a joint proposal to Her Britannic Majesty’s Government for Mr. Maben’s removal, the British Government agree to take action in the matter.
The Imperial Government request, therefore, the cooperation of the United States Government for such joint representation.
Third. The Imperial Government request the U. S. Government kindly to instruct the American representative at Apia to observe a friendly attitude toward Herr Schmidt, the newly-appointed municipal president, in order to facilitate the difficult task intrusted to his care.
The British Government have agreed to instruct their consul in the same sense.
The note which I beg to hand you herewith furnishes a detailed statement for the reasons for the three proposals submitted to the United States Government for approval.
German embassy, Washington.