who, after having communicated each to the other their respective full powers which were found to be in proper form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:
Article I
The General Act concluded and signed by the aforesaid Powers at Berlin on the 14th day of June, A. D. 1889,[1] and all previous treaties, conventions and agreements relating to Samoa, are annulled.
Article II
Germany 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.
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 privileges 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.
- [For the United States:]
- John Hay[seal]
- [For Germany:]
- Holleben[seal]
- [For the United Kingdom:]
- Pauncefote.[seal]
- ↑ TS 313, ante, p. 116.
