Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly.
Washington , November 13, 1880 .
Sir: Your No. 117 of the 5th of July last, in reference to the appeal of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association for the moral influence of this Government to support the enforcement of the prohibitory liquor ordinance of Chief Lebon of the Ralik Islands, has had favorable consideration. The wise enactment of that chief requires no argument to justify the earnest support of all governments having intercourse with the islands, and this Government in particular is desirous of seeing its complete and impartial enforcement, inasmuch as one of the reported offenders is unfortunately said to be an American citizen. In view of the absence of a national representative in the Ralik group, and considering also the alleged coparceny of the German consular officer in the traffic which it is so properly sought to restrain, it has been thought that a double result might be reached by informing the German Government of our adhesion to Chief Lebon’s edict, and requesting its good offices, through the agency at Jaluit and the superior consulate at Apia, to aid in the impartial and complete enforcement of the law.
While considerations of trade would hardly serve alone to warrant the establishment of a consular station of the United States in the Raliks, it is thought that the moral benefit which would flow from our proper representation in that quarter would justify the steps, if a proper person could be found to accept the position of consular agent under the consulate at Apia. It is regarded as best that the office should pertain to the Samoan scheme for more harmonious correlation with the British and German systems of consular supervision in the Pacific.
Your own good offices in the direction of making such an appointment are desired, to the extent of inquiring of the Rev. Mr. Bingham, who addressed you on the Ralik question, whether he knows of any capable American citizen in the Raliks who would accept the post without salary. Possibly the Mr. J. L. Young who wrote to Mr. Bingham from Jaluit, would be a suitable person, and if he should prove to [Page 169] be a resident missionary at that place, no better recommendation would be desired.
Mr. Dawson, the consul at Apia, has been instructed in the sense of this dispatch.
I am, etc.,