240 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



the two native factions, the Germans and Americans in 

 Apia. So critical indeed had the situation become, that the 

 various consulates were converted into veritable fortresses 

 for the refuge of their citizens. 



After a series of inconclusive skirmishes between the 

 forces of Mataafa and Tamasese, Dr. Knappe, the German 

 Consul (Becker had been recalled), decided upon a final 

 stroke, to disarm and probably capture Mataafa. In the 

 small hours of the morning of December 18, 1888, a force of 

 150 marines was silently landed from the German war ves- 

 sel and was proceeding inland when suddenly the woods 

 became alive with Mataafa warriors. The squad of blue- 

 jackets only retired after a desperate struggle, leaving 50 

 dead and wounded in the jungle. The following telegram 

 reached Washington soon after : 



Three war ships undertaken to disarm Mataafa. Landed at 

 night force to prevent retreat. Mataafa's men fired on and forced 

 to fight. Germans routed. Twenty killed, thirty wounded. 

 Germans swear vengeance. Shelling and burning indiscrimi- 

 nately regardless of American property. Protest unheeded. Na- 

 tives exasperated. Foreigners' lives and property in greatest 

 danger. Germans respect no neutral territory. Americans in 

 boats flying. American flag seized in Apia harbor by armed 

 German boats, but released. Admiral with squadron necessary 

 immediately. 



The Mataafans were jubilant. They had made a great 

 and valuable discovery, as had the Caribs of Porto Rico 

 when they held a Spaniard under water to discover whether 

 or not white men bore a charmed life. 



If the relations between the Anglo-Saxons and Teutons in 

 Apia had been bad before, they now became worse. Herr 

 Knappe accused the American and English consuls of compli- 

 city in the massacre of German soldiers, and a volume of native 

 testimony was adduced to prove the charge. Whatever might 

 be the value of a native oath, it is certain that the English 

 Consul, Mr. de Coetlogon, did not give a signal to the 

 natives at the time of the landing of marines from the Adler, 



