f the United States all their rights and claims over and in respect
to that portion of the group lying to the east of the one hundred
and seventy-first degree of west longitude, embracing the islands of
Tutuila, Ofoo, Olosenga, and Manua. I transmit to the Senate, for
its constitutional action thereon, a convention, which besides the
provisions above mentioned also guarantees us the same privileges and
conditions in respect to commerce and commercial vessels in all of the
islands of Samoa as those possessed by Germany.

Claims have been preferred by white residents of Samoa on account of
injuries alleged to have been suffered through the acts of the treaty
Governments in putting down the late disturbances. A convention has been
made between the three powers for the investigation and settlement of
these claims by a neutral arbitrator, to which the attention of the
Senate will be invited.

My annual message of last year was necessarily devoted in great part to
a consideration of the Spanish War and of the results it wrought and the
conditions it imposed for the future. I am gratified to announce that
the treaty of peace has restored friendly relations between the two
powers. Effect has been given to its most important provisions. The
evacuation of Puerto Rico having already been accomplished on the 18th
of October, 1898, nothing remained necessary there but to continue the
provisional military control of the island until the Congress should
enact a suitable government for the ceded territory. Of the character
and scope of the measures to that end I shall treat in another part of
this message.

The withdrawal of the authority of Spain from the island of Cuba was
effected by the 1st of January, so that the full re-establishment of
peace found the relinquished territory held by us in trust for the
inhabitants, maintaining, under the direction of the Executive, such
government and control therein as should conserve public order, restore
the productive conditions of peace so long disturbed by the instability
and disorder which prevailed for the greater part of the preceding three
decades, and build up that tranquil development of the domestic state
whereby alone can be realized the high purpose, as proclaimed in the
joint resolution adopted by the Congress on the 19th of April, 1898,
by which the United States disclaimed any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba, except for
the