THE UNITED STATES AND SAMOA 245 



The German forces were landed after the German commander 

 had given notice of his intention to the commanders of the Ameri- 

 can and British men-of-war, the reason for landing being that some 

 German plantations were in danger. 



Upon so landing, the Germans were attacked by the Samoans 

 under the command of Klein [a newspaper correspondent], an 

 American citizen, and lost fifty men killed and wounded. A 

 state of war with Samoa is therefore announced by Germany, and 

 as an American is alleged to have been in command of the attack- 

 ing Samoan force, Count Arco is instructed to make complaint to 

 the United States. 



Count Arco is also ordered at the same time by his government 

 to say that the treaty rights of the United States shall be 

 respected under all circumstances, and all the rights of the treaty 

 powers. 



The German Government also begs the United States to join 

 them in an active way to restore calm and quiet in the island 

 equally for the three treaty powers. 



Mr. Bayard disclaimed any responsibility for Klein, and 

 called Count Arco-Valley's attention to the agreement of the 

 three powers in 1887 to leave to the Samoans the free election 

 of a king according to their own will and custom. He added 

 (January 12, 1889): 



It would seem most opportune if such an election could now 

 practically be held, and I feel assured that it would do much 

 towards ending the turbulent and bitter discontent which has led 

 to the shocking internecine warfare among these islanders, and 

 finally involved them in a deeply regrettable conflict with German 

 forces, which is sincerely deplored by the United States. 



Prince Bismarck was less complaisant. On January 13, 

 (1889), he wrote, in reference to the midnight raid of the 

 German blue-jackets: 



. . . This unprovoked attack is said to have taken place 

 under the leadership of an American named Klein. On this 

 occasion more than fifty German soldiers and officers were killed 

 and wounded. 



In consequence of this we have been transplanted from the ter- 

 ritory of mediatorial negotiations, by which the imperial consul in 



