242 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



which, after a memorable battle against the elements, suc- 

 ceeded in safely steaming out to sea. In the common dis- 

 aster, all belligerents forgot their quarrels and animosities ; 

 Mataafans hastened to the relief of German sailors, and 

 Tamaseses heroically rescued Americans. The power of 

 Germany and of the United States in Samoa was thus sud- 

 denly and utterly broken. The great storm cleansed and 

 sweetened the torrid air of Apia. Seemingly, providence, 

 according to its own methods, had undertaken to cure the 

 Samoan distemper. Before this terrible catastrophe had 

 arrived, however, the Samoan imbroglio had again fallen 

 into the hands of the three powers for adjustment. 



VII 



It is pleasing to note a prevailing calmness of tone in the 

 official correspondence between Washington and Berlin dur- 

 ing this period (1887-89), relative to Samoa. It contrasts 

 strongly with the feverish and hysterical temper of the com- 

 munications between the consuls in Apia, and in letters to 

 their home governments. Mr. Bayard and Mr. Blaine on 

 the one hand, and Prince Bismarck on the other, were con- 

 tinually prodded by communications from Apia sounding 

 many alarms and craving sanction for many deeds of doubt- 

 ful propriety. The communications passing between these 

 premiers indicate, almost without exception, a desire for 

 moderation. Each hopes that the impetuosity of his excited 

 officials in Samoa 'may be pardoned, in order that the ques- 

 tions at issue may amicably be settled. Between the lines 

 of these formal despatches a trace of weariness may often 

 be detected, which might render a fairly correct reading, 

 despite the actual words used, to be, " They are at it again ; 

 will they never stop ? Your men have done wrong ; control 

 them better, and I shall try to control mine ; " and finally, 

 " It is of no use ; we must ourselves settle their difficulties, 

 and over their heads, let us meet for the purpose." 



In October, 1887, Mr. Bayard cabled to Berlin that the 

 state of affairs in Samoa " is very distressing, and can only 



