Mr. Gresham to Baron Saurma.
Washington, February 16, 1895.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your notes of the 1st and 27th of November last and of the 4th instant, in reference to the concurrence of the three Samoan treaty powers in sending to Jaluit and there maintaining the families of the exiled chiefs.
This Government is unwilling to assume one-third of the expense of the maintenance of the wives and children of the banished and imprisoned Samoans on the island of Jaluit, as proposed.
[Page 739]In communicating this conclusion through you to the Imperial German Government, it is proper to inquire how long it is proposed to continue the banishment of Mataafa and his associates. It was, of course, never the intention of the United States to cooperate in their permanent detention in exile, and the indefiniteness of their term of banishment, coupled with the present arrangement for sending their families to join them, prompts the natural inquiry as to the views of the other powers in this regard. If permanent or indefinite banishment be contemplated, this Government must earnestly dissent. In its judgment ample punishment has already been inflicted on the malcontent chiefs; and if, during the considerable time that has elapsed since their deportation, the tranquility of Samoa has not been sufficiently restored to permit of their return to their homes, it may be gravely questioned whether better results may be looked for in the near future, and whether the Government of the United States may, with propriety, longer participate in the expense of their banishment.
Accept, etc.,