By seven the letter was received.  By 7.30 Becker arrived in person, inquired for Laupepa, was evasively answered, and declared war on the spot.  Before eight, the Germans (seven hundred men and six guns) came ashore and seized and hoisted German colours on the government building.  The three chiefs had made good haste to escape; but a considerable booty was made of government papers, fire-arms, and some seventeen thousand cartridges.  Then followed a scene which long rankled in the minds of the white inhabitants, when the German marines raided the town in search of Malietoa, burst into private houses, and were accused (I am willing to believe on slender grounds) of violence to private persons.

On the morrow, the 25th, one of the German war-ships, which had been despatched to Leulumoenga over night re-entered the bay, flying the Tamasese colours at the fore.  The new king was given a royal salute of twenty-one guns, marched through the town by the commodore and a German guard of honour, and established on Mulinuu with two or three hundred warriors.  Becker announced his recognition to the other consuls.  These replied by proclaiming Malietoa, and in the usual mealy-mouthed manner advised Samoans to do nothing.  On the 27th martial law was declared; and on the 1st September the German squadron dispersed about the group, bearing along with them the proclamations of the new king.  Tamasese was now a great man, to have five iron war-ships for his post-runners.  But the moment was critical.  The revolution had to be explained, the chiefs persuaded to assemble at a fono summoned for the 15th; and the ships carried not only a store of printed documents, but a squad of Tamasese orators upon their round.

Such was the German coup d’etat.  They had declared war with a squadron of five ships upon a single man; that man, late king of the group, was in hiding on the mountains; and their own nominee, backed by German guns and bayonets, sat in his stead in Mulinuu.

One of the first acts of Malietoa, on fleeing to the bush, was to send for Mataafa twice:  “I am alone in the bush; if you do not come quickly you will find me bound.”  It is to be understood the men were near kinsmen, and had (if they had nothing else) a common jealousy.  At the urgent cry, Mataafa set forth from Falefa, and came to Mulinuu to Tamasese.  “What is this that you and the German commodore have decided on doing?” he inquired.  “I am going to obey the German consul,” replied Tamasese, “whose wish it is that I should be the king and that all Samoa should assemble here.”  “Do not pursue in wrath against Malietoa,” said Mataafa “but try to bring about a compromise, and form a united government.”  “Very well,” said Tamasese, “leave it to me, and I will try.”  From Mulinuu, Mataafa went on board the Bismarck, and was graciously received.  “Probably,” said the commodore, “we shall bring about a reconciliation of all Samoa through you”; and