The record-union., 1899-12-15
For the Adjustment Of Disputed Questions
and Partition Of the Islands.
A. Separate Treaty Negotiated to
Cover the Provisions for the
Settlement of Claims in Samoa
on Account Of the Recent Mill
tary Operations Also Concluded,
the King Of Norway and Sweden
Being Named as the Sole Arbi-
traitor.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE full
text of the treaty negotiated between
the United States, Germany and Great
Britain for the adjustment of the ques-
lions between the three Governments in
respect to the Samoan Islands was
made public to-day. The treaty bears
date at Washington, December 2, 1899,
and after reciting its purpose to be to
adjust amicably questions between the
three Powers in respect to the Samoan
group, and to avoid future misunder-
standings, proceeds textually as fol-
lows:
Article 1.-The general act concluded
and signed by the aforesaid powers at
Berlin on the 18th day of June, A. d.
1899 and all previous treaties, conven-
are annulled.
Article II-Germany renounces in
favor of the United States of America
all her rights and claims over and in
respect to the Islands of Tutuila and all
other islands of the Samoan group east
of longitude Ill degrees west of
Greenwich. Great Britain in like man
ner reneunces in favor of the United
States of America all her rights and
claims over and in respect to the Island
of Tutuila and all other islands of the
Samoan group east of longitude III
degrees west of Greenwich. Reciprocal
ly, the United States of America re-
nounce in favor of Germany all their
rights and claims over and in respect to
the Islands of Upolu and Savii, and all
other islands of the Samoan group west
of longitude Ill degrees west of Green
witch.
Article Hit Is understood and
agreed that each of the three signatory
Powers shall continue to enjoy in re-
spect to their commerce and CONNER
cial vessels in all the Islands of the
Samoan group privileges and conditions
equal to those enjoyed by the sovereign
Power in all ports which may be open
to the commerce of either of them.
Article IV-The present convention
shall be ratified as soon as possible, and
shall come into force Immediately after
the exchange of Publications
In faith whereof, ETC.:
JOHN HAY,
HOLLEBEN.
PAUNCEFOTE
A separate treaty was negotiated to
cover the provisions for the settle
ment of claims in Samoa. It sets forth
that the three Governments are desir-
GUS of effecting a prompt and satisfac-
tory settlement of the claims of the
citizens of their respective countries
resident in the Samoan Islands on ac-
count of recent military operations con-
Quoted there, and have concluded a
convention for the accomplishment of
this end by arbitration The King of
Norway and Sweden is made arbitrator,
and he is not only to determine the
Of o1a h,,f ;r
what extent each of the three Govern
ments is bound, alone or jointly with
the others, to make good these losses.
The nature of the claims to be adjust
ed is set forth in Article 1. of the treaty
as follows:
All claims put forward by American
citizens or German or British subjects,
respectively, whether individuals or
companies, for compensation on ac-
count of losses which they allege that
they have suffered in consequence of
the unwarranted military action, if this
be shown to have occurred, on the part
OF the American, German or British Off
GERS between the LIST of January last
and the arrival of the joint comms-
sion In Samoa, shall be decided by ar
bitration in conformity with the prin-
ciples of International law or considera-
lions of equity
There is also a provision to the effect
that "either of the three Governments
named, with the consent of the others
previously obtained in every case, sub
nit to the King for arbitration similar
claims of persons not being natives who
are under the protection Of that Govern
ment, and who are not included in the
above mentioned categories."
The agreement provides for the ex-
change of notifications four months
from the date of it's signing, which is
the 7th day of November last, or earlier.
If possible. =