Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States

Subject.

prior to the meeting of the Conference; probable effect of the deportation of Malietoa; restoration of status quo must be tirmly pressed; rejection of this proposition to be accepted only ad referendum; its possible postponement; restatement of the principles and purposes of the Conference of 1887, as to Samoan independence and equality of rights of the treaty powers; difference in conclusion of the parties to the conference; the German proposition of German supremacy of interest, as supported by Great Britain, and explained by the declaration of the German minister; objections by the Govern ment of the United States; the President can not accept Germany's plan for the appoint ment of a mandatory" as satisfactory; effect of such a proceeding would be the ultimate supremacy of Germany in Samoa; the Govern ment of the United States will protect the rights and interests of its citizens in the South Pacific; but has no desire to dominate, and every wish to develop a stable and just Government; troubles have arisen from the conduct of competing merchants and land speculators; danger of placing the Government of the islands practically in the hands of one of these competing interests; the interests of the United States in a naval station in the South Pacific; increase of American commerce there; this Government can not accept even temporary subordination there; the proposition as formu. lated by the respresentatives of the United States as to a plan of settlement of all the dif ficulties in Samoa; its points of weakness and its elements of strength considered; disposi tion of the President to give weighty consideration to whatever plan the conference may sug gest; but it is the desire of the President (1) that the intervention of the three treaty powers in the Government of Samoa shall be only temporary and limited; (2) that such intervention shall be on terms of absolute equality; (3) that in any arrangement for the establishment of order too much importance can not be given to the adjustment of claims and titles to land (the land question discussed, and the value of an adjustment of titles and claims set forth) and (4) that the importation and sale of fire. arms and alcoholic liquors be prohibited or regulated; propositions beyond the scope of this instruction not to be considered by United States representatives; conditions under which Germany's declaration of martial law in Samoa and subsequent course may be referred to by the United States commissioners in the conference; immediate reference of conclusions reached to the Department; incloses protocols of the conference and Mr. Bates's report to Mr. Bayard.

Samoan affairs: Report of the Secretary of State on the general act signed at Berlin, June 14, 1889. Resumption of the conference of 1887 set forth in correspondence sent to Congress by President Cleveland in February, 1889, and later, reasons were given by President Cleveland for leaving appointment of commissioners to the conference to the incoming administration. The commissioners named; recital of the powers and instructions in general Five specific heads of instruction: 1. Restoration of the status quo. 2. Organization of a stable governmental system for the islands. 3. Ad. justment of claims to and titles of lands. 4. Prohibition or regulation of the importation and sale of fire-arius and alcoholic liquors. 5. The position of the municipal administration of Apia left to the commissioners to decide at the conference, with reference to the promotion of peace and order by maintaining a neutral terri

Page.

349

Mr Blaine to the President, Jan. 7
(report).-Continued.

Subject.

tory in and about Apia. The conference met at
Berlin and held nine formal sittings, the re-
sults of which were embodied in the general
act or protocol. Views of the powers declared
as to, 1. Independence and neutrality of the
islands of Samoa, peace and equal rights for
foreign residents. 2. Modification of existing
treaties, and assent of the Samoan government
to the general act. 3. Supreme Court of Jus-
tice for Samoa. 4. Land titles. 5. Municipal
administration of Apia. 6. Taxation and rev-
enue in Samoa. 7. Restriction of traffic in
fire-arms and intoxicants. The three points
most difficult of agreement-discussion of the
causes of difference. Incloses the general act
and copy of a note from the German minister
of June 29, 1889.

GREAT BRITAIN.

Page.

1889.

1049 Mr. Bayard to Mr. Phelps... Jan. 23

The Bridgewater: An American vessel of that
name seized and held by Canadian customs au-
thorities at Shelburne, Nova Scotia; decision
of the Canadian Government as to customs
duties; note to Mr. Edwards unanswered; note
to Mr. Herbert; Mr. Herbert's reply: suit by
the owner of the Bridgewater; Canadian Gov-
ernment unable to express an opinion as to the
'claim; opinion of the minister of justice; ap-
plication for a leave to bring suit in exchequer
court denied; intervention of this Government
after discontinuance of the original suit; charac-
ter of the case; instruction to bring the matter to
the attention of Her Majesty's Government;
copy of Mr. Allen's petition and of papers and
correspondence in the case inclosed.

926 Mr. White to Mr. Bayard... Feb. 20 Passports: Application of Herman Keller; refused

928 Same to same

a passport pending reference to the Depart
ment; birth-place, parentage, and citizenship;
sworn statement inclosed; his residence; his
intentions; his relations with America; pass-
ports issued to his father inclosed upon which
he and his wife formerly secured passports; Mr.
Keller's request that they be returned.

Feb. 23 The Bridgewater: American vessel seized and
held by Canadian authorities; copy of Mr. |
White's note on the subject to Lord Salisbury,
of February 20, inclosed.

1089 Mr. Bayard to Mr. White... Mar. 1 Shipment of seamen on American vessels at St.

1052 Same to same...

Mar. 5

Johns, N.B.: Provisions of the laws of the United
States on the subject; requirements of the Cana-
dian seaman's act of 1876; practice in Canadian
ports; unauthorized and illegal course of United
States consul in certain cases; he is instructed
to discontinue it; consequent complications and
claim of Canadian shipping-master in the prem-
ises; the matter to be brought to the attention
of Her Majesty's Government; vessel's right
of internal government; the practice as to ship.
ping seamen on foreign vessels in United States
ports; copy of consul's letter, with accompani
ment, inclosed.

Passports: Application of Herman Keller; his
birth, status, and intentions; not proper to issue
a passport to him; papers inclosed in Mr.
White's number 926 returned, except Mr. Kel-
ler's sworn application; his passport and his
wife's, issued formerly, should have the word
"canceled" written across their faces.

966 Mr. White to Mr. Blaine ... Mar. 23 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana

dían ports: The subject promptly brought to
the attention of Her Majesty's Government.

424

444

446

447

449

LVI

GREAT BRITAIN-Continued.

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

1889.

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Lincoln... June 25

Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Blaine... July 10

July 11

July 31

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Lin-
coln.

Extradition of Thomas Barton: Examined at
Philadelphia on a charge of forgery alleged to
have been committed in England; the prisoner
remanded but finally surrendered; reasons for
surrendering him; defective form of the certifi
cate of the United States legation in London;
to avoid similar difficulty in the future a blank
form of certificate is inclosed.
Passports: Application of Rudolph Ernest Brün-
now; his father's status; an account of the ap-
plicant; his residence abroad; his intentions;
a letter from him to Mr. Lincoln inclosed by
copy; similarity of the case to that of Rau; Mr.
Lincoln's conclusions and request for instruc-
tions.

Extradition of Thomas Barton: Form of certifi
cate for future use at the legation in London in
such cases; the certificate used in Barton's case
was the same as the form used for several years
in extradition cases.

The Bridgewater: American vessel seized and
held by Canadian authorities; statement by Mr.
Allen of abandonment of the suit contradicted
by Canadian Government; notice to Mr. Allen
of the withdrawal of the opinion of the minister
of justice: Sir James Fergusson's note inclosed
by copy with copy of memorandum by the Do-
minion Government.

Aug. 26 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Ca-
nadian ports; incloses copy of dispatch from
the consul-general at Halifax relative to memo-
randum of Canadian customs department re-
quiring a certificate from the shipping commis-
sioner and to discrimination in pilot dues;
copies of letters from the Treasury; instruc-
tions to press the subject upon the attention of
her Majesty's Government.
Passports: Application of Rudolph E. Brünnow;
the Department's opinion is that Mr. Brünnow
is not entitled to a passport; renunciation of
American citizenship by his father during the
applicant's minority; status, residence, and
movements of the applicant.

Mr. Adee to Mr. Lincoln.... Aug. 31

Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Blaine.. Sept. 19 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana

Sept. 24

dian ports and discrimination in pilot dues;
Mr. Lincoln has addressed Lord Salisbury on
the subject and incloses copy of the note.
has also pressed the subject upon the attention
of Sir Thomas Saunderson in Lord Salisbury's
absence.

Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana-
dian ports and discrimination in pilot dues;
incloses copy of a note from Sir Thomas
Saunderson on the subject.

Extradition cases: Blank form for sworn infor-
mation in such cases to procure provisional
warrant; practice of legation; lack of informa
tion as to steps taken in the United States in
relation to certain extradition cases; suggests
form in which State authorities should make
application to the Department, in order to re-
lieve the legation from its embarrassment.
Extradition cases: Diplomatic duties in relation
to; refers to the inclosure in his number 90;
practice of State authorities to rely upon the le
gation in London; status of the message of the
legation who furnishes the information for pro-
visional warrants; embarrassment of the lega
tion by negligence on the part of State officers;
suggests police proceedings in extradition cases.
Oct. 16 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana-
dian ports, and discriminations in pilotage
dues; incloses copy of a note from Sir T. V.
Lister on the subject with extract from com-
mittee report of the Canadian privy council;
cessation of the enforcement of the Seaman's
act directed.
Extradition cases: Incloses copies of the De-
partment's circular to governors of States and
Territories on the subject.

450

453

457

460

461

462

463

464

466

107 Mr. Blaine to Mr. Lincoln.. Oct. 29 Shipment of seamen on American vessels in Cana

dían ports, and discriminations in pilotage
dues; gratification of the Department at the
order for non-enforcement of the seaman's act
in Canada; Department does not doubt that the
matter of pilotage dues will be satisfactorily
settled.

467

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AT WASHINGTON.

1888.

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Herbert Nov. 23

Mr. Herbert to Mr. Bayard Nov. 24

Marquis of Salisbury to Mr.
Edwardes.

The Bridgewater: An American vessel seized
and held by the Canadian authorities; reters
to a note on the subject to Mr. Edwardes, dated
June 22, 1888; Mr. Edwardes transmitted the
note to his Government, but nothing has been
heard in regard to the case since; admission
by Canadian officials as to irregularity of pro-
ceedings against the Bridgewater led this Gov-
ernment to hope for a prompt and satisfactory
adjustment of the claim; requests Mr. Herbert
to bring the matter again to the attention of
Her Majesty's Government.

The Bridgewater: Telegram by Mr. Herbert to
Lord Salisbury; the reply stating that as the
case is still pending in court the Canadian gov.
ernment is unable at present to express an
opinion upon it.

1889.
Mar. 7 Mosquito Reservation: Discusses Mr. Bayard's
Views in regard to the position required of
Great Britain by treaty stipulations, and the
award of the Emperor of Austria in the matter
of the free port at Greytown, and payment of
the annuity to the Mosquito Indians; also upon
the subject of the position of the United States
Government, as not bound by the award of the
arbitrator; object of the treaty of Managua;
analogies cited by Mr. Bayard; Great Britain
has no desire to assert anything in the nature
of a protectorate over the Mosquito reserve.
Contract Laborers: Arrival of seven British sub-
jects on the steam-ship Obdam, furnished with
letters to some one in Texas from whom em-
ployment was to be secured; detention of the
men on the ground that the letters were con-
tracts; character of the men; action of the
British consul-general in New York; urgency

Sir Julian Pauncefote to May 22
Mr. Blaine.

of the case.

Mr. Blaine to Sir Julian May 22 Contract Laborers: The case of the seven Brit-
Pauncefote.

Sir Julian Pauncefote to
Mr. Blaine.

Same to same

June 1

ish subjects who arrived on the Obdam; atten-
tion of the Secretary of the Treasury called to
the matter, and a request made for their deten-
tion in New York until further investigation;
orders accordingly issued by the Secretary of
the Treasury by telegraph; Treasury circular
on the importation of contract laborers.
Contract Laborers: The case of the seven Brit-
ish subjects who arrived on the Obdam; order
of the Secretary of the Treasury too late, the
steam-ship having sailed on the return voyage
with the men on board; views of the Depart-
ment asked as to the status of these men under
the contract labor law.

June 20 Extradition: Probable consequences of decision
of Commissioner Edmunds at Philadelphia in
the case of Thomas Barton, charged with forg
ery; form of certificate of authentication held
to be defective; adoption of the form; a new
form suggested; copy of old form inclosed.
Contract Laborers: The case of the seven Brit-
ish subjects on the Obdam; incloses letter of
the Secretary of the Treasury reporting action
of the authorities in the premises.

Mr. Wharton to Sir Julian July 2
Pauncefote.

467

4CS

470

473

474

475

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AT WASHING. TON-Continued.

Contract laborers: The case of the seven Brit-
ish subjects on the Obdam; return of four of
them to New York on the same steam-ship;
again held in default of bonds by customs au-
thorities; discretion of the collector; his inter-
pretation of the statute discussed; opinion of
the Secretary of the Treasury requested; and
lenient treatment of the men.
Contract laborers: Case of the four men arriving
a second time at New York on the Obdam; in-
closes copy of a letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury sustaining the action of the collector
of the port.

Moussa Bey: Incloses copy of dispatch from the
British minister at Constantinople to the Mar-
quis of Salisbury, stating that the United States
legation has, in conjunction with the minister,
been using its influence to bring Moussa Bey to
trial; expresses acknowledgments of the Brit-
ish Government for the assistance of the United
States chargé d affaires ad interim.
Moussa Bey: Expresses the Department's ap
proval of the note of Mr. King; the United
States chargé d affaires at Constantinople, urg.
ing the punishment of Moussa Bey, and also
the hope that he may suffer the penalty of his
outrages.

GREECE.

476

477

478

168 Mr. Fearn to Mr. Blaine

....

1889. Feb. 20

Joint stock companies: Article I of the treaty be.
tween Greece and the United States not regarded
by the former as applicable to joint stock com-
panies and other associations; their legal status
fixed by special agreement; cases of Great
Britain and Austria-Hungary; the rights of such
corporations in the United States related to Mr.
Dragourius, who asks for an official declaration
by the Government of the United States on the
subject, and promises reciprocal action by
Greece; certificate asked for by Mr. Fearn; the
certificates of Great Britain and Austria-Hun-
gary described, and a copy of the former inclosed.

Mr. Adee to Mr. Fearn...... Sept. 19 Joint stock companies: Provisions of article I of

the treaty between the United States and Greece in relation to joint stock companies; Mr Fearn's dispatch on the subject submitted to the Attor ney-General for an opinion as to whether or not the Department should instruct the minister to give the Hellenic Government an assurance in the form of a simple declaration of the status of such corporations in the United States; copy of the Attorney-General's opinion inclosed: No objection to the Department's giving such instructions provided the assurance be given under the treaty and subject to the appropriate laws of the United States and the several States; a special agreement is not thought necessary; a proper precedent for the present case is to be found in the protocol of conferences and declarations concerning judicial procedure signed at Madrid, January 12, 1877; in this view nothing further than a protocol setting forth the desire for a reciprocal understanding on the subject would seem to be required as introduc tory to a declaration by the United States minister of the rights of joint stock companies in the United States, and a reciprocal declaration by the Greek minister for foreign affairs. Aspersions by the United States consul-general at Cairo upon the methods of Greek merchants in the Levant and incidentally upon the Greek people, printed consular reports, No. 96, of August, 1888: Are altogether unnecessary and unjust; the publication, brought to the attention of Mr. Phelps, United States minister at London, who

480

481

483

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