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 it is typical of a prevailing infirmity among Germans in Samoa.
Touchy themselves, they read all history in the light of personal
affronts and tiffs; and I find this weakness indicated by the big thumb
of Bismarck, when he places "sensitiveness to small
disrespects--_Empfindlichkeit ueber Mangel an Respect_," among the causes
of the wild career of Knappe. Whatever the cause, at least, the natives
had no sooner taken arms than Leary appeared with violence upon that
side.
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