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American flag。 In one sense an incident too small to be
chronicled； in another this was of historic interest and import。
These rags of tattered bunting occasioned the display of a new
sentiment in the United States； and the republic of the West；
hitherto so apathetic and unwieldy； but already stung by German
nonchalance； leaped to its feet for the first time at the news of
this fresh insult。 As though to make the inefficiency of the war…
ships more apparent； three shells were thrown inland at Mangiangi；
they flew high over the Mataafa camp； where the natives could 〃hear
them singing〃 as they flew； and fell behind in the deep romantic
valley of the Vaisingano。 Mataafa had been already summoned on
board the ADLER； his life promised if he came； declared 〃in danger〃
if he came not； and he had declined in silence the unattractive
invitation。 These fresh hostile acts showed him that the worst had
come。 He was in strength； his force posted along the whole front
of the mountain behind Apia； Matautu occupied； the Siumu road lined
up to the houses of the town with warriors passionate for war。 The
occasion was unique； and there is no doubt that he designed to
seize it。 The same day of this bombardment； he sent word bidding
all English and Americans wear a black band upon their arm； so that
his men should recognise and spare them。 The hint was taken； and
the band worn for a continuance of days。 To have refused would
have been insane； but to consent was unhappily to feed the
resentment of the Germans by a fresh sign of intelligence with
their enemies； and to widen the breach between the races by a fresh
and a scarce pardonable mark of their division。 The same day again
the Germans repeated one of their earlier offences by firing on a
boat within the harbour。 Times were changed； they were now at war
and in peril； the rigour of military advantage might well be seized
by them and pardoned by others； but it so chanced that the bullets
flew about the ears of Captain Hand； and that commander is said to
have been insatiable of apologies。 The affair； besides； had a
deplorable effect on the inhabitants。 A black band （they saw）
might protect them from the Mataafas； not from undiscriminating
shots。 Panic ensued。 The war…ships were open to receive the
fugitives； and the gentlemen who had made merry over Fangalii were
seen to thrust each other from the wharves in their eagerness to
flee Apia。 I willingly drop the curtain on the shameful picture。
Meanwhile； on the German side of the bay； a more manly spirit was
exhibited in circumstances of alarming weakness。 The plantation
managers and overseers had all retreated to Matafele； only one （I
understand） remaining at his post。 The whole German colony was
thus collected in one spot； and could count and wonder at its
scanty numbers。 Knappe declares （to my surprise） that the warships
could not spare him more than fifty men a day。 The great extension
of the German quarter； he goes on； did not 〃allow a full occupation
of the outer line〃； hence they had shrunk into the western end by
the firm buildings； and the inhabitants were warned to fall back on
this position； in the case of an alert。 So that he who had set
forth； a day or so before； to disarm the Mataafas in the open
field； now found his resources scarce adequate to garrison the
buildings of the firm。 But Knappe seemed unteachable by fate。 It
is probable he thought he had
〃Already waded in so deep；
Returning were as tedious as go o'er〃；
it is certain that he continued； on the scene of his defeat and in
the midst of his weakness； to bluster and menace like a conqueror。
Active war； which he lacked the means of attempting； was
continually threatened。 On the 22nd he sought the aid of his
brother consuls to maintain the neutral territory against Mataafa；
and at the same time； as though meditating instant deeds of
prowess； refused to be bound by it himself。 This singular
proposition was of course refused： Blacklock remarking that he had
no fear of the natives； if these were let alone； de Coetlogon
refusing in the circumstances to recognise any neutral territory at
all。 In vain Knappe amended and baited his proposal with the offer
of forty…eight or ninety…six hours' notice； according as his
objective should be near or within the boundary of the ELEELE SA。
It was rejected； and he learned that he must accept war with all
its consequences … and not that which he desired … war with the
immunities of peace。
This monstrous exigence illustrates the man's frame of mind。 It
has been still further illuminated in the German white…book by
printing alongside of his despatches those of the unimpassioned
Fritze。 On January 8th the consulate was destroyed by fire。
Knappe says it was the work of incendiaries； 〃without doubt〃；
Fritze admits that 〃everything seems to show〃 it was an accident。
〃Tamasese's people fit to bear arms；〃 writes Knappe； 〃are certainly
for the moment equal to Mataafa's；〃 though restrained from battle
by the lack of ammunition。 〃As for Tamasese；〃 says Fritze of the
same date； 〃he is now but a phantom … DIENT ER NUR ALS GESPENST。
His party； for practical purposes； is no longer large。 They
pretend ammunition to be lacking； but what they lack most is good…
will。 Captain Brandeis； whose influence is now small； declares
they can no longer sustain a serious engagement； and is himself in
the intention of leaving Samoa by the LUBECK of the 5th February。〃
And Knappe； in the same despatch； confutes himself and confirms the
testimony of his naval colleague； by the admission that 〃the re…
establishment of Tamasese's government is； under present
circumstances； not to be thought of。〃 Plainly； then； he was not so
much seeking to deceive others； as he was himself possessed； and we
must regard the whole series of his acts and despatches as the
agitations of a fever。
The British steamer RICHMOND returned to Apia； January 15th。 On
the last voyage she had brought the ammunition already so
frequently referred to； as a matter of fact； she was again bringing
contraband of war。 It is necessary to be explicit upon this； which
served as spark to so great a flame of scandal。 Knappe was
justified in interfering； he would have been worthy of all
condemnation if he had neglected； in his posture of semi…
investment； a precaution so elementary； and the manner in which he
set about attempting it was conciliatory and almost timid。 He
applied to Captain Hand； and begged him to accept himself the duty
of 〃controlling〃 the discharge of the RICHMOND'S cargo。 Hand was
unable to move without his consul； and at night an armed boat from
the Germans boarded； searched； and kept possession of； the
suspected ship。 The next day； as by an after…thought； war and
martial law were proclaimed for the Samoan Islands； the
introd