A NATIVE WAR CANOE.
Suddenly two volleys of rifle-shots and several stray shots were fired from the German war-ship Adler on the canoe.
Fortunately none of the party was killed, but the boat was sunk, and the natives had to swim to the shore to save their lives. Some of the shots entered houses of foreigners on shore. Leary's blood boiled with anger that such an occurrence should happen within the neutral zone, that the war-ship of any nation should fire on a body of unarmed men, and that Germany should openly take the side of the Tamasese faction in the presence of another nation's war-ship. He at once sent a vigorous letter to the Captain of the Adler, in which he said:
"I have the honor to inform you that the hostile attack made last night in this harbor by an armed force under your command upon a boat manned by natives, who were harmlessly crossing the harbor, was an act that seriously endangered the lives of the Americans and others, afloat and ashore, in the vicinity of Matautu, and cannot but be regarded otherwise than a most serious affair, coming so soon after arranging and accepting terms establishing neutral ground within the limits of which no hostilities should occur, with a view to securing safety to the foreign residents in and around Apia.
"I am unable to understand your action, as the alleged causes of the attack cannot be accepted as justifying such dangerous and careless conduct. I shall report the affair to my government as a gross violation of the principles of international law, and as a breach of neutrality.
"For the security of Americans and others within the neutral lines I protest against the apparently unwarranted attack made by your men last night, and also against a recurrence of any hostile action within the harbor, whereby the lives of foreigners and non-combatants would be jeopardized."
Leary did as he said he would do, and the records of the Navy Department show that in his report to the Secretary of the Navy he characterized this conduct by the Germans as a "most dastardly disregard for the safety of human life, as well as a cowardly breach of faith and neutrality." In this connection it may be said that in some cases the language of Leary's reports was softened when they were transmitted to Congress. A close examination of the written and printed reports shows many adjectives and phrases omitted. One can imagine what was omitted.
THE VAISIGNANO BRIDGE.
A few days before the natives were fired upon by the Adler's men another incident had occurred which showed the spirit that animated Leary. The Vaisignano bridge that connected the town of Apia with a suburb where most of the foreigners lived had been partly wrecked by a storm. Under the inspiration of the German authorities advertisements had been called for the removal of the bridge. This would have cut the foreigners off from the town, and have seriously crippled the work in the offices of the various consuls. It was proposed to establish a ferry instead of repairing the bridge. Leary saw the notice calling for the removal of the bridge posted on a tree near the bridge, and without hesitation tore it down, and sent word to the authorities that that bridge must not be removed. He then declared that he would repair the bridge, and protect it, if necessary, while this was being done with an armed force. Early the next day he lowered some boats from the Adams, and filled them with his sailors and marines fully armed. Then he sent his carpenters ashore, and they started to repair the bridge. The commander of the English war-ship in the harbor saw what was going on, and he also sent carpenters to assist in the work, and that bridge was never disturbed after that. The English and American residents on the island afterward co-operated in providing a suitable hospital for the wounded in the Samoan fights, and in caring for them.
By this time there was a state of almost open hostility between the German and American war-ships. The great crisis came on November 15, 1888. About seven miles from Apia the forts of the Tamasese party and the Mataafa party faced each other on property that was clearly under American protection. The Mataafa party had received notice from the Germans to vacate the place or take the consequences. Mataafa hastily sent a runner to Captain Leary and informed him of the situation. He asked for advice. Leary sent word that he had a right to remain where he was, giving him some simple information in international law. Leary also said that he would not permit the German war-ship to fire on property under his protection.
Leary received his information about dusk on November 14. The Adler was to start out the next morning just before daybreak. Leary at once sent word to all of his officers who were ashore to report on board the ship by midnight, and to ask no questions. He knew that the Germans expected to steal a march on him, and were watching him to see if he had steam up. Had they seen smoke coming out of the smoke-pipes of the Adams they would have probably postponed the proposed attack until some time when they might catch Leary napping. He was ready for them. He had some anthracite coal on board. He transferred some live coals from his galley fire to the furnace under one boiler of the ship, and by using hard coal had a fire started there without attracting the attention of the Germans. It was slow work. When the fire was going well under the first boiler, he transferred live coals to another boiler, and then to another, and soon after midnight had full steam up on board the ship. The Germans, who always kept steam up, had not the slightest inkling of Leary's action.