NEUTRALITY IN SAMOA—JUNE 14, 1889
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- Baron von Holstein, Actual Privy Councillor of Legation,
- Dr. Krauel, Privy Councillor of Legation;
- Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India:
- Sir Edward Baldwin Malet, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia,
- Charles Stewart Scott, Esquire, Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Swiss Confederation,
- Joseph Archer Crowe, Esquire, Her Majesty's Commercial Attaché for Europe,
who, furnished with full powers which have been found in good and due form, have successively considered and adopted:
- First; A Declaration respecting the independence and neutrality of the Islands of Samoa, and assuring to their respective citizens and subjects equality of rights in said Islands, and providing for the immediate restoration of peace and order therein.
- Second; A Declaration respecting the modification of existing treaties, and the assent of the Samoan Government to this Act.
- Third; A Declaration respecting the establishment of a Supreme Court of Justice for Samoa, and defining its jurisdiction.
- Fourth; A Declaration respecting titles to land in Samoa, restraining the disposition thereof by natives, and providing for the investigation of claims thereto and for the registration of valid titles.
- Fifth; A Declaration respecting the Municipal District of Apia, providing a local administration therefor and defining the jurisdiction of the Municipal Magistrate.
- Sixth; A Declaration respecting taxation and revenue in Samoa.
- Seventh; A Declaration respecting arms and ammunition, and intoxicating liquors, restraining their sale and use.
- Eighth; General Dispositions.
Article I
A Declaration respecting the independence and neutrality of the Islands of Samoa, and assuring to the respective citizens and subjects of the Signatory Powers equality of rights in said Islands; and providing for the immediate restoration of peace and order therein.
It is declared that the Islands of Samoa are neutral territory in which the citizens and subjects of the Three Signatory Powers have equal rights of residence, trade and personal protection. The Three Powers recognize 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. Neither of the Powers shall exercise any separate control over the Islands or the Government thereof.
