THE UNITED STATES AND SAMOA 255 



ARTICLE VII 



A declaration respecting arms and ammunition and intoxicating 

 liquors, restraining their sale and use. . . . 



ARTICLE VIII 

 General dispositions. 



Section 1. The provisions of this act shall continue in force 

 until changed by consent of the three powers. Upon the request 

 of either power after three years from the signature hereof, the 

 powers shall consider by common accord what ameliorations, if 

 any, may be introduced into the provisions of this general act. 

 In the meantime, any special amendment may be adopted by the 

 consent of the three powers, with the adherence of Samoa. . . . 



The assent of Samoa to this general act shall be attested by a 

 certificate thereof signed by the King and executed in triplicate, 

 of which one copy shall be delivered to the consul of each of the 

 signatory powers at Apia for immediate transmission to his 

 Government. . . . 



It will be observed that the first article of the act sets 

 forth the recognition of 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." The act then proceeds to 

 evolve a system of "autonomous government" for the patient 

 Samoans as follows : First, the king is to be elected and sup- 

 ported by the natives (salary later fixed at $1800 a year) ; 

 then in the same clause it is recited that the powers will 

 select the king. Next comes a chief justice to be appointed 

 by the three powers jointly at a salary of 16000 ; he is pro- 

 vided with a clerk and a marshal, whose compensation is to 

 be derived from official fees. The jurisdiction of the Supreme 

 Court, which is both original and appellate, covers all ques- 

 tions arising under the general act, and all questions con- 

 cerning the powers of the king. This court hears differences 

 between native Samoans, reviews the quarrels of foreigners, 

 and exercises a right of appellate jurisdiction over all land 

 titles and litigation arising therefrom. In addition to this and 



