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prisoners and joining them in their escape。 Hear the words of the
chiefs in the 23rd article of their complaint： 〃Some of the chiefs
fled to the bush from fear of being reported； fear of German men…
of…war； constantly being accused； etc。； and Brandeis commanded that
they were to be shot on sight。 This act was carried out by
Brandeis on the 31st day of August； 1888。 After this we evaded
these laws； we could not stand them； our patience was worn out with
the constant wickedness of Tamasese and Brandeis。 We were tired
out and could stand no longer the acts of these two men。〃
So through an ill…timed skirmish； two severed heads； and a dead
body； the rule of Brandeis came to a sudden end。 We shall see him
a while longer fighting for existence in a losing battle； but his
government … take it for all in all； the most promising that has
ever been in these unlucky islands … was from that hour a piece of
history。
CHAPTER V … THE BATTLE OF MATAUTU
SEPTEMBER 1888
THE revolution had all the character of a popular movement。 Many
of the high chiefs were detained in Mulinuu； the commons trooped to
the bush under inferior leaders。 A camp was chosen near Faleula；
threatening Mulinuu； well placed for the arrival of recruits and
close to a German plantation from which the force could be
subsisted。 Manono came； all Tuamasanga； much of Savaii； and part
of Aana； Tamasese's own government and titular seat。 Both sides
were arming。 It was a brave day for the trader； though not so
brave as some that followed； when a single cartridge is said to
have been sold for twelve cents currency … between nine and ten
cents gold。 Yet even among the traders a strong party feeling
reigned； and it was the common practice to ask a purchaser upon
which side he meant to fight。
On September 5th； Brandeis published a letter： 〃To the chiefs of
Tuamasanga； Manono； and Faasaleleanga in the Bush： Chiefs； by
authority of his majesty Tamasese； the king of Samoa； I make known
to you all that the German man…of…war is about to go together with
a Samoan fleet for the purpose of burning Manono。 After this
island is all burnt； 'tis good if the people return to Manono and
live quiet。 To the people of Faasaleleanga I say； return to your
houses and stop there。 The same to those belonging to Tuamasanga。
If you obey this instruction； then you will all be forgiven； if you
do not obey； then all your villages will be burnt like Manono。
These instructions are made in truth in the sight of God in the
Heaven。〃 The same morning； accordingly； the ADLER steamed out of
the bay with a force of Tamasese warriors and some native boats in
tow； the Samoan fleet in question。 Manono was shelled； the
Tamasese warriors； under the conduct of a Manono traitor； who paid
before many days the forfeit of his blood； landed and did some
damage； but were driven away by the sight of a force returning from
the mainland； no one was hurt； for the women and children； who
alone remained on the island； found a refuge in the bush； and the
ADLER and her acolytes returned the same evening。 The letter had
been energetic； the performance fell below the programme。 The
demonstration annoyed and yet re…assured the insurgents； and it
fully disclosed to the Germans a new enemy。
Captain Yon Widersheim had been relieved。 His successor； Captain
Fritze； was an officer of a different stamp。 I have nothing to say
of him but good； he seems to have obeyed the consul's requisitions
with secret distaste； his despatches were of admirable candour； but
his habits were retired； he spoke little English； and was far
indeed from inheriting von Widersheim's close relations with
Commander Leary。 It is believed by Germans that the American
officer resented what he took to be neglect。 I mention this； not
because I believe it to depict Commander Leary； but because it is
typical of a prevailing infirmity among Germans in Samoa。 Touchy
themselves； they read all history in the light of personal affronts
and tiffs； and I find this weakness indicated by the big thumb of
Bismarck； when he places 〃sensitiveness to small disrespects …
EMPFINDLICHKEIT UEBER MANGEL AN RESPECT；〃 among the causes of the
wild career of Knappe。 Whatever the cause； at least； the natives
had no sooner taken arms than Leary appeared with violence upon
that side。 As early as the 3rd； he had sent an obscure but
menacing despatch to Brandeis。 On the 6th； he fell on Fritze in
the matter of the Manono bombardment。 〃The revolutionists；〃 he
wrote； 〃had an armed force in the field within a few miles of this
harbour； when the vessels under your command transported the
Tamasese troops to a neighbouring island with the avowed intention
of making war on the isolated homes of the women and children of
the enemy。 Being the only other representative of a naval power
now present in this harbour； for the sake of humanity I hereby
respectfully and solemnly protest in the name of the United States
of America and of the civilised world in general against the use of
a national war…vessel for such services as were yesterday rendered
by the German corvette ADLER。〃 Fritze's reply； to the effect that
he is under the orders of the consul and has no right of choice；
reads even humble； perhaps he was not himself vain of the exploit；
perhaps not prepared to see it thus described in words。 From that
moment Leary was in the front of the row。 His name is diagnostic；
but it was not required； on every step of his subsequent action in
Samoa Irishman is writ large； over all his doings a malign spirit
of humour presided。 No malice was too small for him； if it were
only funny。 When night signals were made from Mulinuu； he would
sit on his own poop and confound them with gratuitous rockets。 He
was at the pains to write a letter and address it to 〃the High
Chief Tamasese〃 … a device as old at least as the wars of Robert
Bruce … in order to bother the officials of the German post…office；
in whose hands he persisted in leaving it； although the address was
death to them and the distribution of letters in Samoa formed no
part of their profession。 His great masterwork of pleasantry； the
Scanlon affair； must be narrated in its place。 And he was no less
bold than comical。 The ADAMS was not supposed to be a match for
the ADLER； there was no glory to be gained in beating her； and yet
I have heard naval officers maintain she might have proved a
dangerous antagonist in narrow waters and at short range。
Doubtless Leary thought so。 He was continually daring Fritze to
come on； and already； in a despatch of the 9th； I find Becker
complaining of his language in the hearing of German officials； and
how he had declared that； on the ADLER again interfering； he would
interfere himself； 〃if he went to the bottom for it … UND WENN SEIN
SCHIFF DABEI ZU GRUNDE GING