Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1899

Mr. Day to Sir Julian Pauncefote.

Department of State,
Washington, June 25, 1898.

No. 1066.]

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 14th instant. It deals with the question of the pardon of Mataafa and his return to Samoa, in view of the threatened secession of the other chiefs who would unquestionably be deterred from taking any hostile action against the Samoan government in case he were permitted to return from his exile. Accordingly it is suggested that should Mataafa agree to sign a protocol, draft of which you inclose, promising allegiance to Malietoa and the government of Samoa, he be permitted to return thither.

The Government of the United States cordially concurs in this view of the case and the recommendation of the consular body to which you allude. It is proper to say that this Department is in receipt of identical information with that imparted by your note, from Mr. Luther W. Osborn, consul-general of the United States at Apia, who transmitted it in a recent dispatch.

Mr. Osborn will be instructed to cooperate with his colleagues in obtaining the signature of Mataafa to the protocol in question, whereupon his return to Samoa may be assured.

Inclosing for your information a copy of a note¹ upon the subject addressed to the German ambassador, I have the honor to be, etc.,

William R. Day.

1. See infra.