730 



SAMOAN (OK NAVIGATORS') ISLANDS. 



that the detailed facts of the interposition of 

 Germany in the affairs of the Samoan Islands 

 reached the United States. It then appeared 

 that during the months of June and July the 

 German war-ship " Adler " visited Apia, and 

 that the rebel chief Tamesese was publicly en- 

 tertained on board of her, and his banner float- 

 ed at her maintop, although the ship was an- 

 chored not three hundred yards from Malietoa's 

 house. In fact, the king was frequently in- 

 sulted, and his patience severely tried, but 

 through the intercessions of the representatives 

 of the United States and Great Britain he re- 

 mained in a state of quietude, although his fol- 

 lowers were clamorous for war. Their strength 

 was then as eight to one, as a large portion of 

 Tamesese's forces had come under the influ- 

 ence of J. E. Bush, the ambassador of the 

 Hawaian Government already mentioned, and 

 were making overtures to join the party of 

 Malietoa against his opponent. . 



But in the middle of August a German squad- 

 ron arrived, and on August 23 the German 

 consul-general wrote to King Malietoa as 

 follows : 



( GERMAN CONSULATE, APIA, SAMOA, 

 1 Aug. 23, 1837. 



To His Majesty Malietoa, the King, at Afega : 



YOUR MAJESTY : I am commanded by the Govern- 

 ment of Germany to inform you as follows : 



1. That your people attacked Germap people on the 

 night and day of celebrating the anniversary of the 

 birthday of his Majesty the Emperor on the 22d day 

 of March of the present year. This action has caused 

 great offense and much disturbance of mind to the 

 Emperor and all the German people. 



I now inform you to become on friendly terms with 

 the Government of Germany in this wise ; you will 

 be quick in punishing the above offender.-", and do so 

 at once. You will also pay the sum of $1,000 to those 

 who are wounded, and jou are to make an abject apol- 

 ogy (to Germany). 



2. From one year to another year in the past your 

 people have stolen animals and produce from planta- 

 tions belonging to the Germans, and have injured their 

 lands to the extent of more than $3,000 each year. 



I now inform you that you are to pay quickly for 

 all the above done by your people. 



3. For many years past your judges have been un- 

 able by themselves to protect Germans (among you), 

 and this is the reason your people have been abusing 

 these Germans. 



I now tell you that it is a law of Germany that the 

 Government should be more severe in their trials and 

 judgments, in -order that they may be able to protect 

 Germans in the future. 



It is my opinion that there is nothing just or cor- 

 rect in Samoa in all the days you have ruled or while 

 you are at the head of the Government. 



(Signed) BECKER, Consul-General. 



To this letter the King made the following 

 reply : 



APIA, SAMOA, Aug. 24, 1S87. 

 To Becker, Esq., German Consul at Apia. 



SIR : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your let- 

 ter of yesterday's date. It will be obvious to you that 

 it is essential for me to consult my Government and 

 chiefs before replying to the grave charges and heavy 

 demands contained in your communication ; and the 

 time within which an answer is required does not en- 

 able me to do so. I shall, however, at once convene 

 a meeting for the purpose of considering your letter, 

 and will send you a reply on Saturday, the 27th inst. 



I regret that it is imposible for me to complv with 

 your demands for an answer this morning, and trust 

 you will be satisfied with a reply on the date men- 

 tioned. I am, etc., 



(Signed) MALIETOA, King of Samoa. 



This answer was sent aboard the flag-ship 

 of the squadron at 7 o'clock, A. M., the morning 

 of the 25th, Malietoa, fearing treachery, hav- 

 ing left the town and retreated into the inte- 

 rior with a number of his followers during the 

 night. At 8 o'clock launches left the German 

 war-ships crowded with men, and in less than 

 fifteen minutes a force of nine hundred armed 

 marines landed at Apia, and instantly began a 

 search of the houses for Malietoa. It is alleged 

 by eye-witnesses that, in making this search 

 numerous outrages were committed, furniture 

 was tossed about, doorways were broken in, 

 and pistols were drawn and presented at the 

 heads of inoffensive persons. No considera- 

 tion was shown regarding the nationalities of 

 the persons thus attacked, even Americans be- 

 ing abused, and the American and British con- 

 suls denied the right to pass along the main 

 road. 



The United States consul wrote to Mr. 

 Becker, the German representative, demand- 

 ing an explanation, and entering his protest 

 against the action of the German naval au- 

 thorities. In reply the German consul stated 

 that war had been declared against Chief 

 Malietoa. 



The German flag was raised over the Ma- 

 lietoa government house, and continued to fly 

 there until even the followers of Tamesese 

 arrived in A pia and demanded that it should 

 be taken down, and be replaced by their flag, 

 or they would desert the Germans. Mean- 

 while the war-ship Olga was dispatched for 

 Tamesese, and on his arrival at Apia he was 

 saluted with twenty-one guns. Martial law 

 was now proclaimed in the following notice: 



PROCLAMATION. 



CITIZENS OF APIA : By order of his Majesty the 

 Emperor of Germany, war has been declared against 

 the chief Malietoa. The neutrality of the municipal 

 district will be respected as long as the security of the 

 German troops is not injured by agitators within the 

 municipal district. 



I call upon the inhabitants of Apia to assist me in 

 the maintenance of peace and good order in Apia. 



(Signed) HEUSNER, 



Commodore and Commander of the German Squadron. 



APIA, August 27, 1887. 



The following proclamation was issued by 

 the United States Consul as a matter of pre- 

 caution : 



PROCLAMATION. 



Whereas, War has been declared by his Imperial 

 Majesty the Emperor of Germany, against his Majes- 

 ty Malietoa, King of Samoa : 



I hereby caution all those entitled to the protection 

 of the Government of the United States of America to 

 offer no opposition to the German forces, but to im- 

 mediately report to me any molestation of person or 

 property. 



(Signed) HAROLD MARSH SEWALL, 



Consul- General of the United States of America 



APIA, SAM*OA, August 25, 1887. 



