A commission of the three nations therefore was arranged to meet in Berlin.

The United States insisted on native government; Germany, on foreign control.

Finally they agreed to a compromise in the form of a General Act, to which Samoa consented.
The native government was retained, but the control was given to a Chief Justice and a President of the Municipal Council of Apia, who were to be foreigners chosen by the three powers.

Their relative authority is indicated by the fact that the king was to receive $1800 a year, the Chief Justice, $6000, and the President, $5000.
Small as was the immediate stake, this little episode was remarkably significant of the trend of American development.

Begun under Grant and concluded under Blaine and Harrison, the policy of the United States was the creation of no one mind or party nor did it accord with American traditions.