commanding to recognize Malietoa and protect his Government in conjunction with the naval forces of Germany and America; and,
Whereas the present King and Government of Samoa earnestly desire that this arrangement may be consummated as speedily as possible for the greater security of life and property within the Kingdom and for the utmost prosperity of the Samoan Islands,
Therefore the King, Mafietoa Talavou, and the Government of Samoa, the Taimua and Faipule; and, Captain Zembsch, Imperial German Consul General, on behalf of the German Government; and, Thomas M. Dawson, United States Consul, on behalf of the Government of the United States of America; and J. Hicks Graves, Her Britannic Majesty's Counsel, on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland &c, have agreed upon and concluded the following four articles to take effect immediately and to continue in force till ratified, modified, or rejected by the three Protecting Powers:—
Article I
The present King, Malietoa Talavou, shall be supported as the head of the Samoan Government during his lifetime, and his successor shall be agreed upon by the three Protecting Powers.
Article II
There shall be an Executive Council for the King and Government of Samoa consisting of a citizen of the United States of America, a German and a British subject, and they shall hold the offices respectively of Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Public Works.
Article III
The members of the Executive Council shall be nominated from among the residents of Samoa by the Consuls of their respective nations resident at Apia, and they shall hold office from the date of their nomination, which must subsequently be confirmed by the home Governments.
Article IV
The members of the Executive Council shall hold office till their successors are nominated by the Consuls, and they shall receive such salaries as may be agreed upon between the Government of Samoa and the Consular Representatives of the Three Protecting Powers.
In Witness Whereof we have signed the same and affixed thereto our seals.
