Mr. Hay to Mr. Thomas.
Washington, April 23, 1900.
Sir: I have to inform you that by arrangement with the British ambassador and the German ambassador at Washington it has been agreed to address identic notes requesting that the King of Sweden and Norway may graciously please to act as arbitrator on the Samoan claims in the arbitration arranged for by the tripartite convention of November 7, 1899, between the United States, Great Britain, and the Imperial Government of Germany. You are hereby instructed to confer with the representatives of Great Britain and Germany at Stockholm and with them to prepare a request in accordance with this agreement when they have received from their respective Governments instructions to the same effect.
I am, etc.,