Baron Saurma to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, June 15, 1894.
Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to submit the following to your excellency in connection with my note of the 1st instant respecting the disbursement of Government funds in Samoa.
Since the British Government has considered it not advisable to oppose the decision of the chief justice in Samoa, on the subject of expenditure of Government funds, the Imperial Government has been obliged, in order to check any further squandering of the same, to authorize the German consul in Samoa to urge conjointly (with his British and American colleagues) economy upon the Samoan Government and to demand that all expenditures be made only with the advice of the president of the municipal council.
Should such action meet the views of the U. S. Government, may I suggest to your excellency to convey appropriate instructions to the American consul in Samoa?
Requesting to be duly apprised of the decision [of your Government] in this matter,
I avail myself, etc.,