Mr. Olney to Baron von Thielmann.
Washington , December 28, 1896 .
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 26th instant, stating that the Government of Great Britain had officially communicated to that of His Imperial Majesty its assent to the departure of Mr. Schmidt, president of the municipal council at Apia, prior to the arrival of his successor, and its agreement that the consular board should discharge the duties of the office until Dr. Raffel should reach Apia.
In view of the foregoing, as well as on account of the condition of Mr. Schmidt’s health, which you now say makes his speedy return home “imperatively necessary,” I have telegraphed Mr. William Churchill, the consul-general of the United States at Apia, to act in harmony with his colleagues in performing the duties of the municipal presidency in the interim between Mr. Schmidt’s departure and Dr. Raffel’s arrival, which, I trust, may be no longer delayed than is actually necessary.
Accept, Mr. Ambassador, etc.,