§ MR. W. A. M'ARTHUR (Cornwall, Mid, St. Austell)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Convention of 1881 between Great Britain, Germany, and the United States of America with regard to Samoa has ceased to exist; if so, what has taken its place; and, whether the Government intend to recognize Tamasese as King of Samoa?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)There was no such Convention contracted in 1881. A Convention was concluded in 1879 between Great Britain and Samoa, to which Germany and the United States subsequently became parties, providing for good order in the district of Apia, and for the maintenance of neutrality in case of internal disturbances; and a further Convention between the same Powers in 1883 continuing the last. The German Government have announced their withdrawal from that Convention; and Her Majesty's Government have assented to the district of Apia being replaced under the control of the Samoan Government, subject to the rights of the Treaty Powers.