THE UNITED STATES AND SAMOA 241 



and it is equally certain that the American Vice -Consul, 

 Mr. Blacklock, did not set a trap for the luckless German 

 blue-jackets. The infuriated Knappe, goaded to desperation 

 by the miscarriage of his plans, determined upon immediate 

 revenge, and he prepared for an active campaign against 

 Mataafa. He began by proclaiming martial law over Apia, 

 including Americans and English under its operation. 

 They declined to heed the proclamation. Such were the 

 social conditions in Apia at this trying period, that when 

 the British Consul protested against German martial law 

 over his subjects, Dr. Knappe replied: "I have had the 

 honor of receiving your Excellency's agreeable communica- 

 tion of to-day. Since, on the ground of received instructions, 

 martial law has been declared in Samoa, British subjects, as 

 well as others, fall under its application. I warn you, there- 

 fore, to abstain from such a proclamation as you announce in 

 your letter. It will be such a piece of business as shall make 

 yourself answerable under martial law. Besides, your proc- 

 lamation will be disregarded." 



Accounts of the desperate condition of affairs in Apia 

 needed none of the usual colorings of sensational journalism 

 to excite the people of the United States. In its plain, un- 

 varnished recital it was sufficient to create alarm; Germany 

 had broken her pledge; the American flag had practically been 

 fired upon. War with Germany was seriously discussed. 

 The truth of the war rumors which spread over the country 

 was apparently corroborated, both by the firm attitude of 

 the government at Washington, and by the immediate reen- 

 forcemeiit of the American fleet in Samoa. 



In answer to Vice-Consul Blacklock's stirring cable, 

 Admiral Kimberly was hurriedly sent to Apia. He ar- 

 rived on the U. S. S. Trenton, in March (1889), and found 

 a formidable array of warships anchored in the harbor, 

 all cleared for action and awaiting developments. Upon 

 this bellicose scene, a bolt, as from heaven, fell. The 

 imagination could supply no more dramatic sequel to this 

 gathering of warships. A hurricane (March 16) destroyed 

 all the vessels in the harbor save one, the Calliope (English), 



