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He again addressed a communication to the king and sent ashore an interpreter to deliver it and to explain to the people the necessity for its transmission to their sovereign; but this also was returned with a message that no one could be found who would dare convey it to the capital. Mr. Low finally concluded, in view of the circumstances, that any further efforts would be useless, so he returned shortly afterwards to his post. Admiral Rogers lingered for some time in the vicinity, but he too became convinced that no practical results could be accomplished and sailed with his squadron for China and Japan. Our government was duly advised of the failure of the expedition and, seeing no hope of accomplishing anything further without a display of force in Korean waters, all plans for opening negotiations with the Korean government were indefinitely postponed.

In 1874 there was a bloodless revolution in Korea, in consequence of which the ruler, who was a usurper, was deposed and the lawful successor to the crown was placed on the throne. The tyrannies previously suffered by the people were mitigated and, although the policy of nonintercourse with other nations was still adhered to, yet public interest was excited upon the subject. The embassies annually sent to China had become acquainted with the purpose of the attempt by the Americans to establish amicable relations with the people of Korea; and the natives who visited China took with them on their return books and papers relating to foreign countries, from which was derived general knowledge of the policies that governed these nations.

In the meantime, Japan became involved in a war with Korea, and, having prosecuted the conflict to a successful conclusion, a treaty of peace was signed, by the terms of which various ports of Korea were opened to the commerce of Japan. This event marked the epoch of the opening of Korea to

the outside world, since we find that the people were afterwards permitted to leave and return to their country, and were even allowed to carry their produce to foreign markets, and to take home with them the products of other countries. The conditions for negotiations with the government having now assumed a more favorable character, the United States again made an effort in that direction. Admiral Shufeldt of the American navy was intrusted with the delicate mission, which was discharged with such success that, on May 22, 1882, he concluded a treaty of peace, amity, and commerce with Korea, the ratifications of which were exchanged at the capital on May 19, 1883. This was the first treaty made with any power except Japan. By its terms ample aid and protection is to be extended to our vessels and seamen as well as to our citizens who may travel through or reside in the country; and certain ports were declared open to the commerce of the United States. This treaty was proclaimed on June 4, 1883.

Mr. Lucius H. Foote, the first minister of the United States to Korea, arrived there and assumed the functions of his office in May, 1883. He made a favorable impression upon the government and so fully convinced the king of the friendly interest and peaceable intentions of the United States that, on July 6, 1883, it was determined, in state council, to send two plenipotentiaries on a special mission to our country. They were accordingly dispatched with credentials to our government and duly arrived at Washington, where they were received by President Arthur with cordial demonstrations of friendship and treated with the attentions pertaining to their distinguished character. Our government has been fortunate in the selection of our diplomatic representatives to Korea, all of whom have cultivated friendly relations with that people and have acquainted them with the character, resources, and policies of our government. It is doubtless due to this fact

that Americans are highly esteemed there and the relations between the two governments are in perfect harmony.

The Kingdom of Samoa.

The kingdom of Samoa, popularly known as Navigator's Islands, was discovered in 1772 by a Dutchman named Rozenwein, and is composed of a group of nine islands lying in the Pacific Ocean five thousand miles southwest of San Francisco, with an area of seventeen hundred square miles, hardly as large as the state of Delaware. The population is estimated at thirty-five thousand souls.

The products of the islands are varied and abundant. The chief article of export is "copra," the dried meat of the cocoanut; cotton, coffee, indigo, corn, potatoes, arrowroot, nutmegs, mace, breadfruit, oranges, bananas, and lemons are successfully grown, but the people are too indolent to devote themselves to agriculture. The spontaneous fruits of the soil are abundant and unfailing, so that little or no effort is required to provide the necessities of life.

Relations between the United States and Samoa were first opened by Commander Richard W. Meade of the American navy, who visited the islands in the man-of-war Narragansett in 1872. He entered the Pango-Pango harbor and was kindly received by the natives, to whom he extended proper civilities and assurances of the friendship of the United States government. During his stay he so impressed them with the prospective advantages to be gained by the cultivation of intimate relations with our country that they readily consented to cede to the United States the harbor of Pango-Pango as port of refuge and coaling station, and a treaty to that effect was granted him. This officer also induced the chiefs of the island to form a confederation for their mutual aid and protection.

From this date the attention of our government was di

rected toward the affairs of Samoa, and President Grant, in response to a petition from the native chiefs, sent a special commissioner there in 1873 to collect information concerning the country and the people. This commissioner, Mr. Steinberger, sailed from San Francisco and arrived at the harbor of Pango-Pango, August, 1874, where he entered upon friendly relations with the natives and visited and inspected the various islands of the group. He prepared and transmitted to the President a voluminous and interesting report upon the topography and resources of the islands and the customs and character of the natives.

The people had been, for several years, engaged in petty warfare among themselves with the natural result that industry had been abandoned and all development suspended. They were now, however, quite wearied of strife and, to put an end to their troubles, were anxious to place themselves under the protection and authority of the United States. A petition to that effect had been signed by the chiefs of the various islands, as well as by a number of foreign residents there, including missionaries and other influential persons, and sent to the President. Under the advice and direction of Mr. Steinberger, the various chiefs assembled in council and framed a constitution and laws for their united government; and, as soon as this new government was organized, the rulers and chiefs, in response to the popular desire, again addressed the President of the United States, praying that our government might take the country under its protection. Mr. Steinberger shortly afterwards sailed for the United States and submitted to President Grant his report, together with the petition.

After the lapse of two years, during which time our government took no action whatever in reference to the subject, Mr. Steinberger became impatient and resolved to return to Samoa,

with the purpose, as it appears, of taking part in the government of the island. He arrived there in 1875 and soon after, under his counsel and supervision, the government was reorganized, the chief Malietoa was chosen king, and Mr. Steinberger was appointed his prime minister. The turbulent spirit soon broke out afresh, however, among the jealous chiefs, and this government fell to pieces in the following year, Chief Malietoa having been dethroned and Mr. Steinberger banished from the country.

The new government, under the direction of a council of chiefs, started out very well and maintained peace for a considerable time. During its administration the United States negotiated a treaty by the terms of which the port of Pango-Pango was definitely 'secured and free commerce was granted to us. Soon after this event the affairs of state again began to assume a portentous aspect and the country reached the verge of a fresh revolution. The consular and naval authorities of the United States, England, and Germany, then in Samoa, having been appealed to, it was decided that Malietoa was entitled to be recognized as king, and he was accordingly anointed and proclaimed in May, 1879.

The history of this government for a series of years is a tale of strife and jealousies, the opposition to the king being fostered and encouraged by the German residents, who had, in many cases, acquired lands by questionable means and quite monopolized the trade of the islands. At last a crisis was precipitated in 1884, when the German consul concluded an agreement with the Samoan council providing for the creation of a German-Samoan council of government. The king refused to execute the terms of this agreement, which so exasperated the German consul that he raised his flag over Apia and took possession of the municipality in the name of his government. The rebellion of Tamasese, an aspirant to the

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