224 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



his delay and impertinence in consulting the English and 

 Americans. Sorely harassed by threats, Malietoa yielded. 

 In November he and his companion, Tamasese, appeared at 

 the German consulate, made public humiliation in the dust, 

 and signed Mr. Weber's treaty. Doubtless feeling himself 

 to be between two evils (the German man-of-war on the one 

 hand and the wrath of his subjects on the other), he appealed 

 in his distress to the Emperor of Germany (December 29, 

 1884):- 



I write to inform your Majesty that I am deeply distressed 

 on account of the troublesome acts done by subjects of your coun- 

 try in Samoa. 



I humbly beseech your Majesty to listen to my complaint. 



The first matter of complaint of which I have to inform your 

 Majesty is the agreement which was made on the 10th of Novem- 

 ber between the Government of Germany and the Government of 

 Samoa. The method in which it was brought about was very 

 improper, for we did not desire to make it because we were not 

 allowed to see the documents so that we could consult about it 

 and consider it. 



I wrote to the German consul to ask him to give me a copy of 

 the agreement, in order that we should thoroughly understand its 

 meaning. He replied that he refused to give me or my govern- 

 ment a copy of the agreement until after we had accepted it. 



I assented to the agreement, and our names, Malietoa and Tupua, 

 were signed to it on account of our intimidation by threats. I 

 also inform your Majesty of our withdrawal from the agree- 

 ment on account of its containing many impracticable clauses. 



I therefore beg your Majesty will not assent to that agreement. 



I also appeal to your Majesty with reference to the troublesome 

 acts of Mr. Weber, a subject of your country. 



He is continually trying to cause divisions among the people in 

 order to bring about disturbances and war in Samoa. I have 

 received much information respecting his working for the pur- 

 pose of causing troubles to arise in Samoa again. 



He is continually scheming and offering bribes to some Samoan 

 chiefs to induce them to comply with his wishes, and thus cause 

 a rebellion in my country. 



I complain to your Majesty on account of this improper con- 

 duct of Mr. Weber, so that he may be compelled to desist from 

 acts by which the blood of the people of my country may be shed. 



