Ludwig von Arco-Valley

Ludwig von Arco Valley trained in law in Munich and began his career in Bavaria’s diplomatic service, including work at the Holy See. He entered the new German Empire’s service in 1871 and worked in Washington and Vienna. After an interruption in his career, he served in Madrid, Rome, and Alexandria before returning to Washington as minister in 1888. ¹

Arco also handled Germany’s Washington correspondence over Samoa, where Germany, Britain, and the United States shared authority under the Berlin agreement. In February 1891 he notified Secretary of State James G. Blaine that the three governments had agreed to Baron Senfft von Pilsach’s appointment as president of Apia’s municipal board. The arrangement required the representatives of all three powers to work with the Samoan government on his installation. ³

Commercial relations formed part of his Washington work. In June 1891, the State Department notified Arco of newly compulsory American inspection of cattle, hogs, and meat products, including microscopic examinations for export pork. The exchange belonged to the dispute over access to European markets for American meat. Arco died later that year while still holding the Washington appointment. ^{1, 2}