Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 26.djvu/1547

 I49B GENERAL ACT—SAMOAN ISLANDS. J UNE 14. 1889. who, furnished with full powers which have been found in good and due form, have successively considered and adapted : First; A Declaration respecting the indepen ence 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 res ecting 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 providin 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 eiining 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. wml l Amionn I. -D¤¤l.m¤<>m A Declaration respecting the independence and neutrality of the Islands of Samoa, and assuring to the respective citizens and sub- · jects of the Signatory Powers equality of rights in said Islands; and providing for the immediate restoration of peace and order therein. _ml¤¤¤¤e¤¥¤!¤¤d¤¤¢¤- It is declared that the Islands of Samoa are neutral territory in U` 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 samom mdepem- 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. M¤¤€¢0¤]uLIg¤uP¤P¤ It is further declared, with a view to the prompt restoration of g` peace and good order in the said Islands, and 111 view of the diificulties which would surround an election in the present disordered condition of their Government, that Malietoa Laupe a, who was formerly made and a pointed Kin on the 12th day o diily 1881, and was so recognized hy the Three Towers, shall again be so reco ized hereafter i11 the exercise of such authority, unless the Three Prdwers shall by common accord otherwise declare; and his successor shall be duly elected according to the laws and customs of Samoa. micron Arvrrcrm II. D¤¤¤¤¤=¤<>¤· A Declaration respecting the modification of existing treaties, and the assent of the Samoan Government to this Act. wmtyvwwm Considering that the following provisions of this General Act can not be fully effective without a modiiication of certain provisions of the treaties heretofore existing between the Three Powers, respectively, and the Government of Samoa, it is mutually declared that in every case where the rovisions of this Act shall be inconsistent with any provision of such treaty or treaties, the provisions of this Act shall prevail. A¤¤°¤°°* S¤¤¤•· _ Considering further. that the consent of the Samoan Government 1S reqpjisite to the validity of the stipulations hereinafter contained, the T ee Powers mutually agree to request the assent of the Samoan Goyernment to the same, which, when given. shall be certified in writing to each of the Three Governments through the medium of their respective Consuls in Samoa.