A.—3.

people of Samoa to take without delay such measures as, according to Samoan customs, are necessasy to reinstate the High -Chief Laupepa as King of Samoa. Stuebel, German Consul-General. H. de Coetlogon, Her Majesty's Consul. W. Blacklock, United States Vice-Consul. Apia, Samoa, Bth November, 1889.

No. 61.—The Foreign Office to Consul de Coetlogon. Sir,— • Foreign Office, 12th December, 1889. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to convey to you his Lordship's approval of the terms of the Proclamation signed by yourself and by your German and United States colleagues in regard to the recognition of Malietoa Laupepa as King of Samoa, a copy of which is enclosed in your despatch of the Bth ultimo. I am, &c, P. Currie.

No. 62. —Consul de Coetlogon to the Marquis of Salisbuey.—(Eeeeived 6th January, 1890.) My Lobd, —■ Samoa, 6th December, 1889. I have the honour, with the greatest respect, to inform your Lordship that Malietoa was yesterday elected King of Samoa, without opposition. The German Consul-General, the United States Vice-Consul, and I then issued the enclosed Proclamation. Everything is perfectly quiet in these islands. I have, &c, H. de Coetlogon.

Enclosure in No. 62. —Proclamation. Having been informed that, in compliance with the invitation contained in our Proclamation of the Bth November, Malietoa Laupepa has been reinstated as King of Samoa by his own party, and being also aware, by letters received from the chiefs at present assembled in Lufilufi, bearing the date of the Ist November, and by a letter of the 12th November, signed by the High Chief Tamasese, that they too are willing to accept Malietoa Laupepa as King of Samoa, we, the undersigned representatives of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America, availing ourselves of the instructions sent us for the purpose by our respective Governments, hereby proclaim that the Governments of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America from this time recognise Malietoa Laupepa to be King of Samoa. We also earnestly desire the two parties that have been hitherto opposed to each other to effect as soon as possible an ultimate reconciliation, and to contribute, both of them, to the best of their endeavours, to the peaceable management of the Samoan Government under King Malietoa. Stuebel, Imperial German Consul-General. H. De Coetlogon, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul. W. Blacklock, United States Vice-Consul. Apia, sth December, 1889.

No. 63.—The Foreign Office to Consul de Coetlogon. Sir,— Foreign Office, Bth January, 1890. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to express to you his Lordship's approval of the terms of the Proclamation recognising Malietoa Laupepa as King of Samoa, which you issued in conjunction with your German and United States colleagues, and of which a copy accompanied your despatch of the 6th ultimo. I am, &c., P. Currie.

No. 64.—Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbuey.—(Eeeeived sth February, 10.15 p.m.) (Telegraphic.) Washington, sth February, 1890. Samoan treaty ratified by Senate.

[Extract from the Times, Thursday, 23rd January, 1890.] The Samoan Confeeence. Berlin, 22nd January. The text of the " General Act of the Samoan Conference of Berlin," which was signed on the 14th June last by the plenipotentiaries of England, Germany, and the United States, is published here to-night. The following is a summary of its chief provisions : — Article 1 declares that the islands of Samoa are neutral territory, in which the citizens and subjects of the three signatory Powers have equal rights of residence, trade, and personal protection. The three Powers recognise the independence of the Samoan Government and the free right of the natives to elect their chief or King and choose their form of government according to their own laws and customs. None of the Powers shall exercise any separate control over the islands or the government thereof. It is further declared, with a view to the prompt restoration of peace and good order in the said islands, and in view of the difficulties which would surround an election in the present disordered condition of their government, that Malietoa Laupepa, who was formerly made and appointed King on the 12th day of July, 1881, and was so recognised by the three Powers, shall again be so recognised hereafter in the exercise of such authority unless the three Powers shall, by common accord, otherwise declare, and his successor shall be duly elected according to the laws and customs of Samoa.

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