234 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



chief Mataafa with his warriors then emerged from his soli- 

 tude and went to Malietoa's aid. 



With such important and exciting events in progress, it 

 could scarcely be expected that the foreigners in Apia should 

 remain calm. As Becker made no concealment of the object 

 of his schemes, to get rid of Malietoa and to crown 

 Tamasese as his own puppet king, the American and Eng- 

 lish spectators soon became bluntly outspoken ; the employees 

 of the German firm assumed a swaggering demeanor ; the 

 Americans and English used insulting language. 



The first object of the German Admiral, as ranking officer 

 among the Germans, was to capture Malietoa. He issued an 

 invitation to him to surrender, coupled with threats of ven- 

 geance upon his people if he declined the invitation. In Sep- 

 tember (1887), the thoroughly cowed king answered the 

 summons in person, having first turned over the care of his 

 people to his powerful ally, Mataafa. The entrance of the 

 sorrowful Laupepa into Apia as a prisoner of war was a tear- 

 ful event. In a farewell address to his followers he said : 



On account of my great love to ray country, and my great 

 affection to all Samoa, this is the reason that I deliver up my 

 body to the German Government. That Government may do as 

 they wish with me. The reason of this is because I do not desire 

 that the blood of Samoa shall be spilt for me again. But I do 

 not know what is my offence which has caused their anger to me 

 and to my country. . . . Taumasanga, farewell; Manono and 

 family, farewell. So, also, Salafai, Tutuila, Ansa, and Atua, 

 farewell. 



To Mr. Sewall, who he believed should have more vigor- 

 ously exerted the " good offices " heretofore mentioned, he 

 wrote : 



When the chief Tamasese and others first moved the present 

 troubles, it was my wish to punish them and put an end to the 

 rebellion, but I yielded to the advice of the British and American 

 consuls. Assistance and protection was repeatedly promised to 

 me and my government if I abstained from bringing war upon 

 my country. Relying upon these promises, I did not put down 

 the rebellion. Now I find that war has been made upon me by 



