Baron von Thielmann to Mr. Olney.
Washington , December 26, 1896 . (Received Dec. 26.)
Mr. Secretary of State: I have brought to the notice of the Imperial Government the contents of your excellency’s note of the 21st instant, No. 267, in which objections are raised to the temporary performance of the duties of the municipal president by the consuls of the treaty powers at Apia, and the required approval of the United States Government is made dependent upon an understanding previously to be reached between England and Germany.
In reply I have the honor, in pursuance of instructions received, most respectfully to inform your excellency that the Government of Great Britain has now communicated to the Imperial Government, officially, its assent to the propositions contained in my note of the 18th instant.
Not only are the circumstances already known to your excellency opposed to Municipal President Schmidt’s longer stay at his post (which is advocated by your excellency in your note of the 21st instant, and of which the Imperial Government would have been very glad), but also, and chiefly, reasons connected with his health, which make it apparent that his speedy return home is imperatively necessary.
I have been directed most respectfully to request your excellency to send suitable instructions by telegraph to the United States consul-general at Apia, and I should be especially grateful if you would favor me with a reply as soon as practicable.
Accept, Mr. Secretary of State, etc.,