284 AMEKICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



Great Britain in like manner renounces 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 171 west of Greenwich. 



Reciprocally, the United States of America renounce in favor 

 of Germany all their rights and claims over and in respect to the 

 Islands of Upolu and Savaii and all other Islands of the Samoan 

 group west of Longitude 171 west of Greenwich. 



ARTICLE III 



It is understood and agreed that each of the three signatory 

 Powers shall continue to enjoy, in respect to their commerce and 

 commercial vessels, in all the islands of the Samoan group privi- 

 leges 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 

 ratifications. 



In faith whereof, we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have 

 signed this Convention and have hereunto affixed our seals. 



Done in triplicate, at Washington, the second day of December, 

 in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ninety- 

 nine. 



JOHN HAY [SEAL.] 

 HOLLEBEN [SEAL.] 

 PAUNCEFOTE [SEAL.] 



The treaty was ratified by the Senate, January 16, 1900. 



The trials of the Samoans, which they had endured for many 

 years under the administration of three jealous protectors, 

 are ended. Whether they will in future fare better or worse 

 under the single rule of Germany is a matter that concerns 

 only them and Germany, Jihe United States is happily 

 relieved from all further responsibility in the matter. The 

 entangling alliance so freely criticised by President Cleve- 

 land and by Secretary Gresham has been broken, not because 

 of Washington's advice, but because it proved burdensome 



