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