Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Adee.
New London, Conn., September 28, 1898.
Sir: I had the honor on the 1st instant to address a note to Mr. Secretary Day in reference to the affairs of Samoa, stating the views of Her Majesty’s Government in regard to the election of a successor to the late King Malietoa, and asking for an expression of your Government’s opinion on the recommendation of Her Majesty’s consul at Apia that the return to Samoa of the Chief, Mataafa, should be delayed until after the election of the new king.
I venture to recall the matter to the attention of your Government, as the question of Mataafa’s return is evidently one on which it is important that a decision should be arrived at without delay, and I feel it to be very desirable that my Government should be in possession of the views of the United States Government on the subject at the earliest moment possible.
[Page 610]I should be greatly obliged if you would favor me with a reply to the inquiry contained in my note as soon as you find it practicable to do so, in order that I may communicate it to Her Majesty’s Government by telegraph.
I have, etc.,