Baron Saurma to Mr. Gresham
Washington, February 6, 1894.
Mr. Secretary of State: In my note of November 6, of last year, I had the honor to submit to the United States Government on behalf of the Imperial Government, the following three propositions relating to (1) the declination of the Samoan proposition to amend Article v, section 5, of the treaty of Berlin; (2) the recall of the secretary of state, Maben; (3) the instructions of the American representative respecting a friendly attitude towards the new president of the municipality.
[Page 702]I also submitted to your excellency at the same time a memorandum in the English language explanatory of this note.
While I have not as yet received an expression from the United States Government, it appears from the reports of the imperial consul at Apia, received in the meantime, that Mr. Maben, the Samoan secretary of state, has been removed from office.
Information concerning said removal and the reasons that led thereto have most likely reached your excellency through the representative of the United States at Apia.
The Imperial Government view with satisfaction Mr. Maben’s removal, effected by the joint action of the three consuls as it appears from the reports of the imperial consul that his further retention in office would have been conducive of continual complications.
I am herewith instructed to emphasize that, in the opinion of the Imperial Government, it would seem proper to request the consuls of the treaty powers in future to exert every effort to keep from Malietoa and the Samoan Government all unauthorized counselors.
In addition to requesting your excellency to give the matter your attention and to adopt such measures as it might seem to require, I should be under a special obligation for an expression of agreement hereto.
I avail myself, etc.,