Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1889
Mr. Coleman to Mr. Bayard.
Berlin , November 26, 1888. (Received December 10.)
Sir: In connection with the subject of Samoa affairs I transmit herewith, together with a translation which I have prepared for the purpose, a narrative of events in Samoa purporting to come from the pen of a German long resident there, taken from the Berliner Tageblatt of the 20th instant.
The inclosure you will, I believe, read with interest, and the statements of facts therein, which have a strong flavor of truth, may hereafter prove useful. In this narrative the author appears to leave nothing to be desired with respect to frankness.
I have, etc.,
the situation in samoa.
From a German who has been long living in Samoa we have received the following communication:
“The dissensions which have been raging among the Samoans since about the year 1860 have been almost always fought over on the Upolu, the principal island of the [Page 182] group. At that time the German Commercial and Plantation Society at Apia, or rather its predecessor, the firm of Godefroy, of Hamburg, which at that period encountered no considerable competition in the South Sea, stood on the side of Malietoa, a chief belonging to one of the most distinguished families of Samoa, who had acquired, in conflicts of former times, the honorable title ‘Malietoa,’ that is to say, brave warrior. Although Malietoa was never in reality ruler over the whole group of islands, he nevertheless assuredly had the expectation of the first place in the country, and the royal title was formerly willingly given him.
“Throughout the next twenty years, which passed with continuous dissensions among the natives, the Europeans who had gradually settled in Samoa, Germans, Englishmen, and along with them Americans, found abundant opportunity to meddle in the quarrels of the inhabitants, which they also did in the fullest measure. They sought by taking sides with or against Malietoa to strengthen respect for their nation, and thereby increase their commerce. I need only recall the affair of Steinberger, who even played the role of dictator, and almost brought the country into the possession of the United States. While England and America on their part remained consistent, and throughout the whole period recognized Malietoa as the legitimate ruler, the policy of the Germans, who, after all, enjoyed the most influence in the islands, showed curiously enough a wonderful wavering. At one time they would recognize Malietoa as king, at another they would take sides with the opposing king, until finally in late years the Germans placed themselves in an attitude of absolute hostility to Malietoa, and elevated his opponent Tamasese to the position of ruler of Samoa.
“True, it can not be denied that Malietoa had latterly stood entirely on the Anglo-American side, often brusquely opposed the Germans, and on many occasions refused to listen to their just demands; it must, however, at the same time be remembered that Englishmen and Americans always stood by him, and that he may have formed too high an estimate of the power of those nations. Moreover, the Germans might have been more friendly with him if they entertained such purpose. In any case the Germans had resolved upon elevating Tamasese to the throne, and the well-known New Year affair of 1887 only furnished the desired occasion for the measure. In the autumn of 1888 the Mr. Brandeis whom you have so often mentioned came to Apia, who, formerly a Bavarian captain, had some time previously been employed at the consulate-general at Sydney in order to prepare himself for his political mission. Before the public it was of course given out that this gentleman stood in the service of the German Commercial and Plantation Society; it was, however, at the same time, among the employés of that firm, a public secret that he had been selected to be the minister of the rival King, Tamasese. Mr. Brandeis, an extremely amicable and intelligent gentleman, set himself energetically to study local conditions, worked at times at the German consulate, made himself familiar with the business and social relations of Apia, and then went to Leulumœgo, near Molefuma, the home of Tamasese, in the near vicinity of which Le Utu Sao Bao, the great cotton and cocoa plantation of the German Commercial and Plantation Society, lies. There a house was built and furnished by this society for Mr. Brandeis, and there he staid, without it being publicly known, however, as the adviser of Tamasese, and perfected himself in the Samoan language, which it was absolutely necessary he should master. At that time Tamasese already had his own flag (black, white, and red, resembling the German war flag) flying; and I have also seen him a number of times, his flag flying and accompanied by Mr. Brandeis, sailing through the harbor of Apia, although Malietoa was then still recognized as King.
“Tamasese and his adherents were then amply supplied with arms and munitions. I know that at the beginning of 1887, within a brief period, hundreds of muskets were sent through the German Commercial and Plantation Society to the Le Utu Sao Bao plantation, from where they were easily transferred to the hands of Tamasese’s party.
“It sounds, therefore, to say the least, funny, when the Germans now accuse the Englishmen and Americans of supplying arms and ammunition to Malietoa’s party. That the latter have not, as it is said, yet been paid for, may well be possible, for payments of larger sums are not made with great rapidity in that country; on the other hand, I am inclined to doubt whether the German Commercial and Plantation Society have received and hold in their strong box the money for the arms, etc., supplied through them. I believe Tamasese will for years to come have to turn over the cocoa crop of his district to the German Commercial and Plantation Society at Apia before his account with it will be balanced.
“At New Year, 1887, the well-known events occurred at Apia which led to the German declaration of war against Malietoa, to his capture, and deportation from Samoa, as well as to the placing in power of Tamasese as King—matters of general notoriety.
“Mr. Brandeis is now premier minister, and in reality the possessor of all power, under the protection of the German guns, of course, for Tamasese is as much of a [Page 183] puppet in the hands of the Europeans as Malietoa has always been. The conflict between the native parties has reference less to whether the one or the other person be King than to the question of whether Germany or England-America shall retain the upper hand.
“Unhappily, the conditions in Samoa have, owing to all these occurrences, become almost untenable; while in former times the dissensions among the natives left the Europeans unaffected, the latter have now been involved in the complications by the course the nations have pursued of arraying themselves on one side or the other. The conditions are so insecure, and the relations between the subjects of the different powers have become so unpleasant, that even Englishmen and Americans wish that Germany, if it really wants Samoa, would at least make a complete job of it, and take possession of the islands; for this half-way condition of things can not be maintained in the long run, and it is not possible that Germany contemplates stationing a squadron there forever to keep the natives in terror, and to afford protection to the Germans there: that is to say, to the German Commercial and Plantation Society. For it is the latter only that it is worth considering in connection with commercial interests in that quarter, and which needs the protection of the Empire all the more since it enjoys but little sympathy on the part of the people settled there, for this society has in the course of years managed to fall out with all the Europeans; so that, even among the Germans who are independent of it, hardly one can be found who would assist it in time of trouble, without considering other nations, with whom envy of and ill-will against the Germans know no bounds, and who would with malicious joy see Germany forced from its position in Samoa.
“These little groups of islands can not, however, remain independent forever, and it is therefore to be urgently wished that Germany should not exhibit too much delicacy with respect to Samoa, but take it while it is to be had, which can hardly be the case for a long time to come. America would have no serious objection to such a course, for her motto is, ‘Trade, no dominion,’ and England would joyfully give her assent, if she were permitted, in payment therefor to lay her hands on the Tonga Islands.”
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The gun-boat Eber and the cruiser corvette Olga have received orders to proceed to Samoa; both vessels have probably arrived at Apia by this time.