A.—3.

The discussions which have already taken place bring out in a strong light the necessity of some authoritative determination of the conflicting land titles at present urged by members of the differeiifnationalities concerned. It is very desirable that a tribunal, strong and impartial enough to be able to arrive at a satisfactory determination of claims urged either by the natives or by subjects of any of the three Powers, should be elected under the sanction of treaty. Her Majesty's Government have therefore to instruct you to urge upon the Conference to agree upon provisions suitable for this purpose. You will bear in mind the commercial interests which Her Majesty's British and colonial subjects possess in these islands, and you will give the utmost attention to the elaboration of regulations for giving to those commercial interests the utmost possible safeguard. The conditions under which the Municipality of Apia is to be administered . are still a matter of controversy, and some authoritative and final decision of the Conference which may bring to an end all such disputes is urgently required. Her Majesty's Government will give their best consideration to any proposals, if any such should be submitted to the Conference, for the establishment of telegraphic communication between Europe and these islands. f-\ -'There is little doubt that if such communication had existed the conflicts between the various consular authorities of three nations, which have been among the most embarrassing incidents of the disturbances in Samoa, would either have been entirely avoided or would have taken a less acute form.

No. 25. —Sir E. Malet to the Marquis of Salisbuey.—(Eeceived 20th May. My Loed,— Berlin, 18th May, 1889. I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a proposal which the American Commissioners propose to lay before the Conference. It expresses the desire of the Conference that the Consuls of the three Powers at Samoa may be instructed to notify to the chiefs and leaders of the contending parties the wish of the three Powers that they should disband and retire peacefully to their homes. Count Bismarck has told me that he is ready to accept the proposal, and I have the honour to request your Lordship to be so good as to inform me by telegraph whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared to send the instructions proposed. I have consulted Mr. Consul Powell, in general terms, as to whether an invitation of this nature to the chiefs would be agreed to by them, and he expressed the opinion that they would undoubtedly accept it if it were made conjointly by the three Powders. . I have, &c, Edwakd B. Malet.

Enclosure in No. 25.—Peoposal of Ameeican Commissioners. The Conference, animated by the desire to restore peace and order in Samoa as early as possible, accepts the following order, with the recommendation that each of the three Governments promptly communicate the same by telegraph to their respective Consuls and naval commanders at Samoa as identical instruction, namely : " You are instructed to notify the chiefs and leaders of the contending parties now under arms in Samoa that it is the united wish of the three treaty Powers that thev immediately disband and retire peacefully to their homes. The existing state of war is altogether harmful to"the interests of both natives and foreigners in Samoa. Any chief persisting in it° and all who encourage him, will forfeit the friendship of all the Governments. Let the people of Samoa now arrayed against each other return to their homes, avoiding all strife, and there await in peace the friendly counsel of the Governments which are now consulting together for their good. Let both parties know these words. They are the words of each and of all the Powers together. Yourself urge them earnestly. Any chief who refuses this advice will be considered by us as unfriendly to the interests of Samoa."

No. 30. The Marquis of Salisbury to the British Plenipotentiaries at the Samoan Conference.—(Substance telegraphed.) Gentlemen,— Foreign Office, 20th May, 1889. You are authorised to accept the proposal of the United States plenipotentiaries to the Conference relative to the disbandment of the chiefs of Samoa, as reported in your despatch of the 18th instant. I have, &c, Salisbury.

N Oi 46_ r_piie Beitish Plexipotentiakies at the Samoan Conference to the Marquis of Salisbuby.—(Received 17th June.) My Loed, Berlin, 15th June, 1889. "We have the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship the Final Act of the Conference on Samoan affairs, which, in virtue of the full powers conferred upon us by Her Majesty, we signed vesterday afternoon, conjointly with the plenipotentiaries of the German Emperor and of the United States of America. We have, &c, Edwabd B. Malet, Chaeles S. Scott, J. A. Ceo we.

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