THE UNITED STATES AND SAMOA 221 



the purely domestic affairs of the Samoans, or that they 

 constantly maintained that attitude of strict neutrality 

 toward warring factions in the islands that the traditions of 

 their country should have prompted them to observe. Theirs 

 was the position of eager spectators whose interests led them 

 from time to time to take a part in native politics, chiefly 

 to thwart the machinations of their English and German 

 neighbors. 



In general, therefore, the one motive in Samoa was to 

 acquire commercial advantage. When competition is fierce 

 between citizens of several nationalities, in a neutral land and 

 under a weak and dependent government, the temptation to 

 secure a controlling influence in the councils of the nation 

 becomes too great to withstand. It was impossible, under 

 such conditions, for these commercial strugglers to eliminate 

 the sense of patriotism from their efforts to increase their 

 trade. Race prejudices were fed by business rivalry, and a 

 clash was always imminent. 



Each foreign faction was headed by a consul who was 

 quick to discern the right and slow to detect any wrong in 

 the acts of his "subjects." Under the laws of extraterri- 

 toriality these officials enjoyed considerable authority and 

 power. They exercised judicial functions and supervised the 

 governmental affairs of the municipality wherein those of 

 their own nationality resided. In an advisory capacity they 

 exerted a decided influence over the native government. As 

 might be supposed, where all the elements were so favorable, 

 political feelings were intense, and occasionally ran riot. The 

 atmosphere was constantly charged with rumors of intrigue. 

 The movements of native factions were keenly watched in the 

 light of possible advantage to be gained by any threatened 

 political change. Every act of the king, or his vice-king 

 was examined under the lens of a jealous interest, to deter- 

 mine whether it savored of preference for German, English, 

 or American. 



Besides these foreigners whose residence in Apia was osten- 

 sibly for legitimate purposes of trade, men of a lower social 

 stratuii, a bar-room riffraff of decidedly uncertain charac- 



