Not long ago a lot of old, but well written, manuscripts called “Reminiscences of the Old Navy” came into my possession. Of these narratives, one called “Maintaining the Honor of the Flag,” first attracted my attention, and upon commencing to read it, my eye caught these words:
Commander Richard P. Leary, U.S.N., while in command of the Adams at Apia Harbor, Samoa, during the year 1888, had an exciting experience in connection with the German man-of-war Adler.
What a flood of memories rushed into mind, upon finding there recited an incident which had its inception whilst I, then a midshipman on my “two years’ cruise,” was acting as officer-of-the-deck of the U. S. Sloop-of-War Adams one memorable day in Apia, Samoa, about the middle of November, 1888. The author of the manuscript recorded that day’s incident so graphically and accurately, and depicted so well the shaking of the mailed fist of Germany at the United States, thirty years before the World War, that his account is worthy of being quoted in full.
The relations between the commanding officers of the two ships Adams and Adler, which were about equally matched in point of strength, had been strained for some time, the intensity of feeling culminating on November 15, when the German commander ordered the natives to vacate a point on shore which was under American protection, or failing to comply, he would use the battery of his vessel to enforce his commands. Hearing of the German officer’s action, Commander Leary watched every move made by that vessel, quietly making preparations to get under way at a moment’s notice. Steam was ordered and obtained without attracting attention of the Adler’s officers, who expected to have the advantage in getting under way from the fact that it was understood the Adams’ boilers were being cleaned. Such was the case, and live coals were transferred from the galley range to the furnaces until steam was well in hand, without exciting the suspicions of their wily neighbor. All hands were kept at their stations, and just before dawn the Adler began to heave short.
On board the Adams precautions had been taken to muffle the cable, and the barred links came in the hawse pipes noiselessly, without an indication of bustle or jar reaching the ears of those on the Adler. Prompt to the sound of the engine-room gong, the German cruiser steamed ahead, gathering headway as the anchor was catted and secured, pointing directly for the entrance of the harbor; and the Adams, as if suddenly endowed with life and motion, glided through the water with ripples breaking and gurgling around the sharp stem.
It was a genuine surprise to the officers of the rival ship to find their adversary very much on the alert and fully alive to the importance of the game being played. But the start had been made, and there was no disposition manifested by either vessel to evade the issue, whatever it might be. The Adams with a sheer of the helm took the inshore position, and as the bows dipped into the long swells of the mighty Pacific the command to “Clear decks for action” was quietly passed forward.
Numerous dark forms stole forth from the shadows into the uncertain starlight, all intent upon the grim work they might be speedily engaged in. Guns were cast loose, ammunition provided, small arms placed at hand, awning stanchions unshipped, while the marines fell in at their stations with accouterments that gleamed in the soft haze and gorgeous roseate hues beginning to tint and illumine the eastern horizon.
The German ship lost no time following the example set her by the American cruiser. They were evidently looking for a fight, and were deliberate and careful in every movement that was made. Side by side the two vessels steamed with each crew at quarters, standing grim and silent by their respective guns, every moment becoming more distinct as the wavering colors flashed and radiated along the glowing horizon.
Reaching the threatened spot, both vessels dropped their anchors, Captain Leary’s position being such that in the event of the German cruiser opening fire the projectiles would pass directly over the deck of the Adams. The German officers visited the shore, and Captain Leary utilized the opportunity to send a note of warning couched in courteous terms, to the German commander stating briefly that it was to be hoped the friendly relations existing between the respective governments which they represented would not suffer through rashness, or by the committal of a hostile step; that he understood American interests were in danger of molestation, and that in such an event he should protect the same.
For hours the crews of the two vessels remained facing each other, but finally the tension was relieved by the Adler getting under way about noon, steaming slowly seaward, followed by the Adams. The harbor of Apia was again reached the two ships resumed their former anchorages, and the incident passed without a shot having been fired.
Before passing to some other incidents which preceded and followed this never-to-be-forgotten day, the first in my brief career on which the vessels of two nations were cleared for hostile action, the writer here wishes to bear his personal testimony to the accuracy of this narrative in all but one minor particular. When he (perhaps upon report of the quartermaster on watch) observed shortly after dawn that the Adler was making preparations to get under way and received orders “to call all hands and heave short,” there was no attempt made to muffle the noise made by the cable in coming in through the hawse pipe and passing around the whelps of the wildcat.
All day long the two ships rode to their anchors within three or four ship’s-lengths of one another. The position was well taken, in so far as the Adams was concerned, because with the exception of an 8-inch gun in the waist, converted from an old-time 11-inch Parrott gun, her battery consisted of old-fashioned, smooth-bore, muzzle-loading guns and two obsolete Hotchkiss revolving cannon, whereas the Adler had a modern battery of rapid fire guns, both in the main and secondary batteries. Our only hope was to lie close to the Adler so that the action, had one taken place, would have been decided practically upon who delivered the first broadside. We were ready.
H.M.S. Lizard steamed out with us, for what purpose I never learned. However, as time has run its course, and I have learned more about the real family feeling that has existed between ourselves and Great Britain (since the War of 1812 cleared out the ill feeling between the British Lion and her lusty Cub) whenever menaced by an outsider, I have had the growing belief that the action of the commander of the British gunboat was but one more evidence of the oft repeated saying “Blood is thicker than water.”
The maneuver, just described, was repeated upon a second occasion, not mention by Captain Smith, because his story did not purport to deal with the whole Samoan controversy. A few days following the incident just described, the Adams got under way early one morning and was followed by the Adler. The latter vessel took a position so far out from us that our smooth bore guns were to all intents and purposes outranged, and our vessel probably would have been sunk at long range if an engagement had occurred.
The whole trouble at Samoa, which gave rise to this and other striking incidents, arose because of Bismarck’s policy of colonial expansion. The head and manager of the Deutsches Handels und Plantagen Gesellschaft der Sud See in Samoa was a Herr Weber. The rightful king of Samoa was Malietoa; but, to further her colonial aspirations in that quarter of the globe, the German consul, Herr Brandeis, espoused the cause of a lesser chief, Tamasese, and acting through Herr Weber, oppressed the natives to such an extent that Malietoa took up arms against the upstart Tamasese.
Upon the unwarranted demand of the German government, backed up by a strong naval force consisting of the German flagship Bismarck, the Olga, Carola, Sophie, Adler, and Eber, Malietoa, on account of his great love for his country and affection for his people, gave himself up and was deported, whereupon Mataafa was chosen by the loyal Samoans to succeed him. The declaration of war issued by Germany against the Samoan Islands was issued on January 19, 1887, by the then German Consul, Herr Knapp, in the following terms.
By order of the Imperial German Government I herewith proclaim the state of war for the Samoan Islands. Any assistance to the rebels will be punished by Martial Law irrespective of any nationality. The introduction of contraband of war is prohibited. All vessels and boats are liable to be searched by the German authorities.
The police of Apia henceforth will act under instructions from the Imperial German Government. The residents of Apia are requested to assist in keeping law and order.
In a document in the German White Book dated February 2, 1887, addressed to Admiral Baron von der Glotz, chief of the German Admiralty, the cloven hoof of Germany was discernible. It said (as if anyone would swallow such a preposterous statement) in the face of the declaration of war just quoted:
Germany is not at war with Samoa, as the term is understood by international law, but she regards Tamasese as the rightful ruler and Mataafa as a rebel, against whom and his followers retaliation must be enforced. Anyone standing by them is a promoter of the conflict between them and the Germans and must take the consequences.
The way the rightful ruler of Samoa felt about the whole proceeding is disclosed in a heartbreaking farewell to his Samoan subjects, written in the bush near Apia, saying:
To all Samoa: On account of my great love to my country and my great affection to all Samoa, this is the reason that I deliver up my body to the German Government. That Government may do as they wish to me. The reason of this is because I do not desire that again the blood of Samoa shall be spilt for me. But I do not know what is my offense which has caused their anger to me and my country—Tuamasya, farewell! Monono and family, farewell! so, also, Salafai, Tutuila, Aana and Atua, farewell. If we do not again see one another in this world, pray that we may be again together above. May you be blessed.
Malietoa, The King
In the bush near Apia.
Malietoa realized his position was hopeless and also recorded the situation in a letter written from Saanapa (in the bush) to the U. S. Consul General, Harold M. Sewell, on September 18, 1887.
His Highness, H. M. Sewell, United States Consul-General: I, Malietoa, the king of Samoa, write this letter to you because I am now in great distress on account of Tamasese and other chiefs. When they commenced these troubles my desire, indeed, was to punish them and put an end to the rebellion which they had raised, but I yielded to the advice of the British and American Consuls, for assistance and protection was offered to me and my Government if I would not do anything that would cause war in my country. Relying upon those directions, I did not put down the rebellion.
Now war has been raised against me by the Emperor of Germany and they have made Tamasese king of Samoa. German forces and the adherents of Tamasese threaten to make war on all my people who do not acknowledge Tamasese as king. I do not know what wrongful act I have done, and do hereby protest against the action done by Germany. But the German Government is strong and I, indeed, am weak, and therefore I yield to their strength that my people may live and not be slaughtered. I shall now obey and put myself tomorrow in the hands of the German forces, to prevent the blood of my people being spilt and because of my love for my country. I desire to remind you of the promises so frequently made by your government and trust that you will cause these assurances to come to pass, in order to cause the lives and liberties of my chiefs and people to be respected.
I desire to make known to you this: I fear, indeed, that Germany will desire to compel me as they are now making my people, to sign papers acknowledging Tamasese as king. If I write my name on paper it will be under compulsion, and to avoid war being made upon my people by the German forces. May you live. I am,
Malietoa, King of Samoa
On December 5, 1888, the U.S.S. Adams was relieved from duty in Samoa by the U.S.S. Nipsic and left Apia with a homeward bound pennant flying. Upon her arrival in Honolulu little else was talked about except affairs in “The Soft Sea Islands.” On March 13 or 14, Western time, (Samoa kept Eastern time), the Pacific Squadron, consisting of the ill-fated Trenton and Vandalia, under the flag of Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, U. S. Navy, arrived in Samoa.
The center of the great hurricane of March 16 and 17, 1889, passed directly over Apia, putting an end for the time being to a very tense international situation.