You at the same time request Her Majesty's Government to present the British claims by the 1st of December, or at the latest by the end of the current year. I have in reply to observe that it seems necessary in the first instance to determine whether the military action through which these claims arose was or was not unwarranted. With regard to this point a memorandum setting forth the events which took place between the above-mentioned dates is being prepared and will in due course be submitted for the consideration of His Majesty. I have, etc., F. H. VILLIERS. (For the Marquess of Salisbury.) No. 1958.] Mr. Hay to Lord Pauncefote. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 22, 1900. EXCELLENCY: Referring to my No. 1952 of October 13, 1900, I have the honor to inclose for your information copy of a note' from the German chargé d'affaires ad interim of the 15th, and of my reply of the 22d instant, further relating to the submission to arbitration of the claims of foreigners in Samoa, not natives, and not under the protection of either the United States, Great Britain, or Germany. Copy of the entire correspondence on this subject has been forwarded to Mr. W. W. Thomas, United States minister at Stockholm, with direction to acquaint His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway of its nature, and to say that the claims of citizens of the United States, as provided for by the convention of November 7, 1899, were being prepared with a view to their early and formal submission. I have, etc., JOHN HAY. COURTESIES TO U. S. F. C. S. ALBATROSS, BY BRITISH DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AND VICE-CONSUL AT SUVA HARBOR, FIJI ISLANDS. Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate. No. 316.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 26, 1900. SIR: At the instance of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, I transmit herewith a copy of a letter from Commander Jeff. F. Moser, U. S. N., commanding U. S. F. C. S. Albatross, regarding courtesies extended to Prof. Alexander Agassiz and himself by Her Britannic Majesty's deputy commissioner and vice-consul, Mr. R. Beckwith Leefe, at Suva Harbor, Fiji Islands. In compliance with Mr. Bowers's request, you are hereby instructed to convey through the proper channel to Mr. Leefe the cordial thanks of this Government for his courteous services to Commander Moser and Professor Agassiz. I am, etc., 1 Printed, p. 523. JOHN HAY. "Printed, p. 524. [Inclosure.] Mr. Bowers to Mr. Hay. UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, Washington, D. C., February 16, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from Commander Jeff. F. Moser, U. S. N., commanding U. S. F. C. S. Albatross, regarding courtesies extended to Prof. Alexander Agassiz and himself by Her Britannic Majesty's deputy commissioner and vice-consul, Mr. R. Beckwith Leefe, at Suva Harbor, Fiji Islands. This Commission would be pleased to have the service acknowledged to the British Government if it is deemed proper by the Department of State. Very respectfully, GEO. M. BOWERS, Commissioner. [Subinclosure.] Commander Moser to Mr. Bowers. U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, STEAMER ALBATROSS, Suva Harbor, Fiji Islands, December 10, 1899. SIR: During our brief visit to Nuku'Alofa, Tonga, where we have no diplomatic or consular representative, Her Britannic Majesty's deputy commissioner and vice consul, Mr. R. Beckwith Leefe, placed his services at our disposition, and through him an audience was arranged and held with King George Turbou II. If you deem it proper the Department of State might be notified and the service acknowledged to the British Government. The audience was formed of three officers, Mr. Woodworth, who accompanied Mr. Agassiz, and myself. We were received by the King and his ministers, and after some questions and explanations as to the nature of our work and expressions of good will we retired. Very respectfully, JEFF. F. MOSER, Commander United States Navy, Commanding. COURTESIES OF BRITISH NAVAL OFFICERS ON OCCASION OF AN EXPLOSION ABOARD THE U. S. S. “WHEELING,” AT HONGKONG. Mr. Hay to Mr. White. No. 333.1 DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 20, 1900. SIR: I inclose for your information copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy transmitting a communication from the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Wheeling, wherein he expresses his appreciation of the unreserved kindness of the British officers and men at the time of the explosion on board the Wheeling, at Hongkong, China. You are instructed to transmit a copy of the letter in question to the proper authorities of Her Majesty's Government, with a warm expression of this Government's high appreciation of the kind action of the officers and men of Her Majesty's navy on the occasion in question. I am, etc., [Inclosure.] JOHN HAY. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 12, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a letter from the commanding officer of the Wheeling, wherein he expresses his appreciation of the unreserved kind ness of the British officers and men at the time of an explosion on board the Wheeling, at Hongkong, China. The Department requests that, if compatible with the views of the State Department, this appreciation of the kindness shown be conveyed to the British Gov ernment. I have, etc., JOHN D. LONG, Secretary. [Subinclosure.] Mr. Burwell to commander in chief of Flagship Brooklyn. U. S. S. WHEELING, Hongkong, China, February 1, 1900. SIR: 1. I have the honor to report that since the gun accident reported by me on the 27th ultimo to the senior officer present, there have been no material facts obtainable, as no one who was present at the time can yet be examined. 2. The salute was ordered to be fired in honor of the German Emperor. The usual selected crew, under charge of the executive officer, was firing the salute and the men of the spar deck were at "attention." As there were a large number of vessels firing around us, the accident below was not noticed until I saw that our salute had stopped. I went forward and, seeing smoke coming up, ordered the men to fire quarters. Finding that there were casualties, sent to Baltimore for more medical aid. In the meantime the English cruiser Brisk, next to us, had noticed the fire alarm and had sent a surgeon. Immediately after, another surgeon was sent from the Centurion, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Seymour. Every assistance was given by the English fleet. The men were transferred at once to the naval hospital, and have since been treated with the utmost kindness. 3. On the day following the accident the funeral of C. A. Campbell, gunner's mate, third class, took place. Admiral Seymour, in a private note, requested me to inform him as to the time of the funeral. The band of the Centurion and mourners from the Centurion and Brisk accompanied the procession. The governor sent promptly an expression of sympathy and permission to land a firing party. Messages of condolence have been received from all the foreign vessels in the harbor. 4. I can not express too strongly my appreciation of the unreserved kindness of the English officers and men at this time. Nor can I tell which I admire most, the admirable preparedness which gave such prompt and efficient aid, or the delicate sympathy which has been shown for us in our misfortune. I have, etc., W. T. BURWELL, Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding. COURTESIES EXTENDED TO AN OFFICER OF THE U. S. ARMY BY BRITISH FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA. Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate. No. 496.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 19, 1900. SIR: I inclose for your information a copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of War, asking that you may be instructed to express to the British Government the high appreciation of the United States War Department for the courtesies extended to Capt. Stephen L. H. Slocum, Eighth Cavalry, U. S. A., military attaché with Her Majesty's forces during the recent military operations in South Africa, and especially for the kind attention shown him by Colonel Viscount Downe, who had charge of the foreign officers. I am, JOHN HAY. [Inclosure.] Mr. Miles to Mr. Hay. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 12, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to request that the American ambassador at London, England, may be instructed to express to the English Government the high appreciation of this Department for the courtesies extended to Capt. Stephen L. H. Slocum, Eighth Cavalry, U. S. A., military attaché with Her Majesty's forces during the recent military operations in South Africa, and especially for the kind attention shown him by Colonel Viscount Downe, who had charge of the foreign officers. Very respectfully, NELSON A. MILES, Acting Secretary of War. CONDOLENCES ON GALVESTON DISASTER. Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hill. BRITISH EMBASSY, Newport, R. I., September 15, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to state that I have been commanded by the Queen to express to the President of the United States the great sorrow with which Her Majesty has learned the details of the terrible disaster at Galveston. Her Majesty wishes me to convey to the President the assurance of her sincere sympathy with the unfortunate sufferers from this calamity. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to transmit this message to its destination. I have, etc., Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hill. [Personal.] PAUNCEFOTE. BRITISH EMBASSY, Newport, R. I., September 15, 1900. DEAR MR. HILL: I have received a telegram from the Marquis of Salisbury in which he desires me to convey to the Secretary of State the deep sympathy of Her Majesty's Government on the occasion of the terrible disaster at Galveston. I take this opportunity of expressing my own sorrow at this calamitous event. I am, etc., Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hill. PAUNCEFOTE. SEPTEMBEB 17, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to imform you that I have been requested by Sir A. Moloney, governor of the Windward Islands, to convey to the Government of the United States an expression of the heartfelt sympathy of himself and the people of those islands on the occasion of the terrible calamity that has befallen the city of Galveston. I have, etc., PAUNCEFOTE No. 1924.] Mr. Hill to Lord Pauncefote. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 19, 1900. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note, No. 265, of the 15th instant, by which you transmit an expression of the great sorrow with which Her Majesty the Queen has learnt the details of the terrible disaster at Galveston and the assurance of her sincere sympathy with the unfortunate sufferers from this calamity. Your note has been communicated to the President, who charges me to express his sincere appreciation of Her Majesty's sympathetic message. DAVID J. HILL, I have, etc., Acting Secretary. Mr. Hill to Lord Pauncefote. [Personal.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 20, 1900. MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your personal note of the 15th instant, stating that you have received a telegram from the Marquis of Salisbury in which he desires you to convey to the Secretary of State the deep sympathy of Her Majesty's Government on the occasion of the disaster at Galveston. In assuring you that Lord Salisbury's message is highly appreciated by Mr. Hay, I beg to thank you also for your expression of personal sorrow. I am, etc., No. 1925.] Mr. Hill to Lord Pauncefote. DAVID J. HILL. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 20, 1900. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note, No. 270, of the 17th instant, conveying to the Government of the United States an expression of the heartfelt sympathy of the governor and people of the Windward Islands on account of the disaster at Gal veston. I beg that you will assure Sir A. Moloney that his sympathetic mesage is sincerely appreciated by the Government of the United States. I have, etc., DAVID J. HILL. |