to confer with him upon some scheme which would preserve the peace and assure to the islands a stable government. This proposition was assented to, and a conference of the three powers was held in Washington during the year 1887.
Two plans for the reorganization of the Samoan government were submitted. One was by the German minister, and was supported by his British colleague, the two governments having apparently reached an understanding as to their respective interests in the Pacific. This plan, based upon the claim of the superior interests of Germany in Samoa, would have given to that power a controlling influence in the islands. Mr. Bayard strenuously objected to the predominant control of any one power, and he proposed that the administration of affairs should be committed to an executive council consisting of the king and three foreigners, one to be nominated by each of the powers, and that the three governments should in turn keep a vessel in Samoan waters, to preserve the peace, and enforce, if necessary, the orders of the executive council.
The conference failed to reach an agreement, and an adjournment of some months was taken, to enable the British and German ministers to consult their governments, it being understood that the status quo would be meanwhile maintained. Immediately after the adjournment, the German consul, under the orders of his government, made a demand upon Malietoa for reparation for certain wrongs alleged to have been committed by him and his people previous to the meeting of the conference, and upon his refusal war was declared,
