judicial decisions must be obeyed even if distasteful to a part of the population. Further, it may be safely said that had Tanu been recognized by the Representatives of the three Powers as King de facto, the strength of the Mataafa party would have been broken. The most important Chiefs were ready to give their adhesion to the winning side, and the others would have acquiesced. The German Commissioner, however, while admitting that the Chief Justice's decision was valid and binding, felt unable to allow Tanu to exercise even nominal authority for a limited period. Actuated in this, as in many other cases, by a desire to assent to any compromise which would be acceptable to Baron Sternburg without a sacrifice of principle, I agreed that the Commission should publicly acknowledge the validity of Mr. Chambers' decision and by implication the impropriety of resisting it, but that simultaneously with the publication of this Proclamation Tanu should abdicate. This involved no personal hardship to Tanu. He is not ambitious, and was known to wish to retire and complete his education in Australia. He signed an act of abdication and also visited the Commissioners as legal King of Samoa, and informed them verbally of his intention to resign. A Proclamation was issued on the 10th June, signed by the three Commissioners, stating that Chief Justice Chambers' decision was valid and binding, that Tanu had resigned the office of King, and that the office was abolished. It further ordered that, during the period of the Commissioners' stay in the islands, the Consuls of the three Powers should perform the duties of the King and his Councillors, and Dr. Solf act as President of the Municipal Council. This latter provision was necessary, because the President is nominated by the Powers, but appointed by the Samoan Government, and Dr. Solf had refused to accept any appointment from the Government of Tanu. About the middle of June a lawyer, engaged by the Mataafa party, arrived in Apia, nominally for the object of assisting them to make out claims for damages sustained during the recent disturbances. A number of Mataafa Chiefs came to Apia to consult him, and several white men were present at the conferences. Though it is difficult to dispute the right of natives to seek legal advice if they choose, these proceedings had a most unfortunate result, as they gave rise to an impression that the Mataafa faction was organizing and consolidating itself, whereas the Commission were anxious to do away with party distinctions. The Malietoa Chiefs became alarmed, and Tanu, who had wished to leave at once for Fiji on his way to Sydney, wrote to us renouncing his intention and saying that he intended to remain in Samoa till peace should be assured. We were of opinion that the presence of so many Chiefs of both parties in Apia was dangerous. Efforts were made to remove the Mataafa Chiefs from the town, and Tanu and the Malietoa Chiefs were ordered to leave Mulinuu and retire to their private residences. Before their departure a meeting was held on board the Badger, at which the principal men of the two parties were reconciled to one another by various Samoan ceremonies. Tanu and Tamasese expressed their readiness to meet Mataafa and become reconciled with him, and we accordingly invited him to come to Apia for this purpose. But he sent back an arrogant answer and refused. On the 22nd June we left for the Island of Tutuila, where we visited Leone Bay and Pango Pango, returning to Apia on the 26th June. From this time until the 5th July we were chiefly occupied in discussing and drafting the recommendations for the future government of the islands, which we have had the honour to submit to the three Treaty Powers. This occupation was somewhat disturbed by conflicts which occurred in villages of mixed population where the Malietoa men, returning from Mulinuu, were assaulted by the other party. One of these outbreaks (at Safata) threatened to assume a serious character, as several men were killed, and we thought it desirable to send both a German and a British man-of-war to nip the trouble in the bud. Order was restored, and the natives found in possession of arms were brought to Apia for trial. On the 5th July we started on the steamer Tutanekai, which the New Zealand Government had courteously placed at our disposal, for a trip round the Islands of Upolu and Savaii. Our object was partly to familiarize ourselves with the local conditions of the various districts, and partly to disseminate among the natives accurate information as to our doings and intentions, which were often misrepresented. Our tour lasted until the 12th July. On the 14th July we held a large fono, or public assembly, at Mulinuu, at which over 400 natives of both parties were present. We read to them a statement describing the system of native self-government which we proposed to introduce, if approved by the Powers. It was accepted by the whole meeting, and the next day thirteen Chiefs from each side signed a formal declaration of acceptance. Tanu and Tamasese also affixed their signatures, but Mataafa declined to appear on the pretext of ill-health. He may be held to be bound by the signatures of his Chiefs, but his repeated refusal to meet the other party and make peace inspires the gravest apprehensions for the future. We addressed a letter to him reminding him that his further stay in Samoa depended on the observance of the promises which he had made before returning. We had now finished the greater part of our task. We had put an end to the state of war and restored relative, if not absolute, tranquillity and order. We had also prepared the recommendations to be submitted to the three Powers. But there was some difference of opinion as to whether we ought to continue to administer the provisional government of the islands, at least until the receipt of instructions, or to leave at once. The American Commissioner decided the matter by stating that for health and other private reasons he could remain no longer, and we had therefore to consider what form of government we should leave behind us. We were all of opinion that it would have been desirable to appoint some one head for this provisional Administration; but, as no qualified neutral candidate was forthcoming, we were unable to find any expedient which would safeguard the interests of the three Powers in Samoa except government by a Consular Board. This system is by no means satisfactory; but we endeavoured to impart to it greater strength, activity, and coherency: firstly, by authorizing a majority of the Consuls to decide in most cases; and, secondly, by providing for the establishment of regular Government offices and a clerical staff. Dr. Solf was continued in his appointment as President of the Municipal Council, and the United States' Consul-General was appointed Acting Chief Justice, in the absence of Mr. Chambers, who departed on leave on the 14th July. The Commission left Apia on the 18th July. The Marquess of Salisbury. I have, &c., C. N. E. ELIOT. APPENDIX. Final Act of the Conference on the Affairs of Samoa.-Signed at Berlin, June 14, 1889. [Ratifications deposited at Berlin, April 12, 1890.] [See Vol. LXXXI, page 1058.] CONVENTION entre la Russie et la Suisse, pour la Protection réciproque des Marques de Fabriques.-Signée à Berne, le 19 Avril 1 Mai 1899. [Ratifications échangées à Berne, le Juillet, 1899.] LE Conseil Fédéral de la Confédération Suisse et Sa Majesté l'Empereur de Toutes les Russies, ayant jugé utile d'assurer la protection réciproque des marques de commerce et de fabrique Suisses et Russes, ont résolu de conclure une Convention à cet effet, et ont nommé pour leurs Plénipotentiaires, savoir: Le Conseil Fédéral de la Confédération Suisse: M. Ernest Brenner, Conseiller Fédéral, Chef du Département de Justice et Police; Sa Majesté l'Empereur de Toutes les Russies: Son Excellence M. le Conseiller Privé Alexandre de Yonine, son Envoyé Extraordinaire et Ministre Plénipotentiaire à Berne; Lesquels, après s'être communiqué leurs pleins-pouvoirs, trouvés en bonne et due forme, sont convenus, sous réserve des ratifications réciproques, des dispositions suivantes : ART. I. Les citoyens et les sujets des deux Hautes Parties Contractantes jouiront dans les États de l'autre de la même protection que les nationaux, pour tout ce qui concerne la propriété des marques de commerce et de fabrique, sous la condition de remplir les formalités prescrites à ce sujet par la législation respective des deux États. Toutefois, il est permis en Suisse aux sujets Russes et en Russie aux citoyens Suisses de faire enregistrer valablement leurs marques, telles qu'elles ont été admises dans leur pays d'origine, pourvu qu'elles ne soient pas contraires à la morale ou à l'ordre public. II. L'enregistrement en Suisse d'une marque Russe et en Russie d'une marque Suisse peut être refusé, conformément aux prescriptions de la législation du pays respectif, si la marque ne se distingue pas suffisamment d'une autre antérieurement enregistrée. Les citoyens et les sujets des deux États ne pourront jouir dans l'autre de la protection de leurs marques dans une étendue plus large, ni pour une période plus longue, qu'ils n'en jouissent dans leur propre pays. III. Le dépôt des marques aura lieu en Suisse au Bureau Fédéral de la Propriété Intellectuelle à Berne, et en Russie au Département du Commerce et des Manufactures à St. Pétersbourg. Les pièces des demandes de dépôt devront être rédigées ou traduites en langue Française, Allemande, ou Italienne pour la Suisse et en langue Russe pour la Russie. IV. La présente Convention sera ratifiée, et les ratifications seront échangées à Berne aussitôt que faire se pourra. Cette Convention entrera en vigueur dès la date de l'échange des ratifications et demeurera exécutoire jusqu'à l'expiration d'une année, à partir du jour où la dénonciation en aura été faite par l'une des Parties Contractantes. En foi de quoi les Plénipotentiaires respectifs ont signée la présente Convention et y ont apposé leurs cachets. Fait en double à Berne, le 19 Avril 1899. (L.S.) BRENNER. DECLARATION between Italy and Greece, prolonging the Treaty of Commerce of the 20th March, 1889.-Signed at Athens, April 15, 1899. 1 Avril' 1st April LE Traité de Commerce et de Navigation entre la Grèce et l'Italie du 20 Mars 1889,* devant cesser d'être en vigueur à partir du Mai prochain, à la suite de la dénonciation qui en a été faite par le Gouvernement Italien, et les deux Gouvernements ayant reconnu l'utilité d'en proroger l'échéance, les Soussignés, dûment autorisés à cet effet, sont convenus de ce qui suit: Le Traité de Commerce et de Navigation entre la Grèce et l'Italie, conclu à Rome le 20 Mars, 1889, continuera à rester en vigueur jusqu'au Décembre, 1899. 1 Avril' En foi de quoi les Soussignés ont procédé à la signature de la présente Déclaration sous réserve de son approbation par les Chambres des pays respectifs. Fait en double expédition. (L.S.) AVARNA. (L.S.) A. ROMANOS. RUSSIAN NOTIFICATION of the Date of coming into force of the Treaty between Russia and Japan of the May, 1895. -St. Petersburgh, June, 1899. July 22 8th June L'ARTICLE XIX de notre Traité avec le Japon, conclu à St. Pétersbourg le 27 Mai, 1895,† porte que ce Traité n'aura force obligatoire que dans quatre ans au moins après la date de sa signature et qu'il deviendra obligatoire un an après le jour où le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté l'Empereur du Japon aura communiqué au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté l'Empereur de Toutes les Russies qu'il a l'intention de l'appliquer. Cette communication peut être faite à toute époque, à l'expiration de trois ans après la signature du dit Traité. La Déclaration dont il est fait mention dans l'Article ci-dessus a été fait en effet par le Gouvernement Japonais, à peu près trois ans après la signature du Traité, c'est-à-dire le Juillet, 1898. Il ressort de ce qui précède que le Traité acquiert force obligatoire le Juillet de l'année 1899. A partir de cette date, et aux termes de l'Article XVIII du Traité, * Vol. LXXXI, page 545. + Vol. LXXXVII, page 855. |
