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266 neutral territory of Apia. Much drinking and "hoching" finally resulted in a "squabble" with some other convivialists, ending in what Becker called a riot. For this, four natives were arrested, and haled before a German magistrate. He acquitted one of these. The others he convicted of assault. The case was appealed to the full court—that is, the three consuls together. The American and British consuls considered the charges petty and unproved and reversed the decision. And that was the whole business called by the German Commander "The trampling upon, by Malietoa, of the German Emperor." It was not even mentioned three months later in the conference between the three nations at Washington.

At 11 Becker was at the place named. The King asked for a day's delay to consider. Becker declared war on the spot, appointed the bewildered Tamasese King under the super- vision and protection of the redoubtable Bran- deis and the five warships, ran the German flag over his headquarters, and declared his