Mr. Thomas to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, July 31,
1900.
No. 148.]Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 146 B, of
June 4 last, inclosing copy of the identic note addressed by me and my
British and German colleagues to the foreign office, requesting His
Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway to act as arbitrator in the matter
of the Samoan claims, I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of a
note from the minister for foreign affairs, received at this legation on
the 28th instant, accompanied by a translation thereof, in which his
excellency states that he has brought the note to the notice of the King
and that His Majesty consents to act as arbitrator upon the questions
which, according to the convention signed at Washington on the 7th of
[Page 898]
November last by the
plenipotentiaries of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, the
three powers propose to submit to his decision.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Mr. Lagerheim
to Mr. Thomas.
Stockholm, July 14,
1900.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to
receive the note which you have been pleased to address me, dated
the 17th of May last, informing me that, by a convention signed at
Washington on the 7th of November last by the plenipotentiaries of
the United States of America, Great Britain, and Germany, with a
view of bringing about a decision by arbitration of certain
questions of indemnity put forward by the subjects or citizens of
the three signatory powers at Samoa, and relative to losses which,
since the 1st of January, 1899, up to the arrival of the mixed
commission at Samoa, the claimants pretend to have suffered in
consequence of unwarranted military action of either American,
British, or German officers, it has been agreed to request His
Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway, my August Sovereign, to
accept the office of supreme arbitrator provided by Article II of
the convention.
Conformably to the desire you have been pleased to express, I have
made it my duty to bring this communication to the notice of the
King.
By order of His Majesty, I have the honor to inform you that he
consents to act as arbitrator upon the questions which, according to
the convention above mentioned, the three powers propose to submit
to his decision.
In requesting you to kindly convey this determination of the King to
the knowledge of your Government, I avail, etc.,
