Mr. Olney to Sir Julian Pauncefote.

No. 385.]

Excellency: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a note1 I have to-day addressed to the German ambassador in relation to the declared intention of Mr. Schmidt, president of the municipal council at [Page 549] Apia, to assume the duties of chief justice of Samoa during the temporary absence of Mr. Henry C. Ide on leave.

Any such assumption is in plain disregard of Article III, section 2, of the Berlin general act of June 14, 1889.

I have, therefore, to request that you will kindly make known to Her Majesty’s Government the views expressed in my note to Baron von Thielmann, with a view to the issuance to the British consular representative at Apia instructions to represent, in conjunction with his colleagues there, to Mr. Schmidt that, as president of the municipal council, he is not authorized or empowered to discharge the duties of chief justice of Samoa, except in the express contingency provided by the Berlin general act.

I have, etc.,

Richard Olney.
  1. Printed on page 535, ante.