Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-07-28
ONE SHOT MEANT WAR
nut THE GERMANS WISELY REFRAIN
GO FROM FIRING IT.


OR1~oees-A Asosy Of - moa.
The pluck and grit OF American ma
val officers are aptiy illustrated In al
article BY Henry Collins Welsh II
Ainsicc's Magazine. In which the writ
er tells how Commander Lear,
brought the German naval force In sa
INCA TO terms some years ago. IL,
says:
II was nj the outbreak OF civil strif,
that Captain Leary arrived at Apla IL
the American warship Adams. DIR
knappe was then the German consul
at Ap.a, aud he aud Commander
fritxe OF the German warship Adler
carried on affairs with mn iispcIious
hand. Feeling ran high between the
Germans on one hand aud the Aincri.
cans and Engiish on the other. The
Germans bombar,is<i village. on vari.
Gus pretexts. fired upon unarned ma
uvrs aud gave open aid TO Tamascse.
Captain Lcary nj that time WIS n
commander. and II was not long BE-
fore he and Captain Fritxe had some
lively interchanxes Of compliments.
On one occasion the Adler steamed
past the American ship with a native
chief bound 10 her forrnast The Ger.
man saluied when he passed. but no
answer came back from the American.
Soon the German came 10 standstill
A boat was dispatched to ascertain
why the American had not answered
tise salute. Commander Lcary sent
she Teuton this characteristic reply.
THE United States does not salute
vessels engaged Ia the slave carrying
irasir.
Hut an incident which best illus
tgates Commander Leary's grit aud de-
teri nation ana! which deserves 10 live
tn song aud story occurred In the wa.
tiers near ApiR Oh Nov. H. 1858.
Strained relations came TO a crisis
then. and war between the United
States aud Germany seemed incyita.
bic.
On the dny previous message came
from Mataafa to Inform Commander
l4safy that the Germans had threaten.
cd ~ attack Mataafa In his strong.
hold on the morrow. Both MHtnafa
and Tnmas.sc Ind intrcnched them.
selves Ia fortified places about seven
miles FROM Apia upon land under
American protection. Mataafa asked
sor advice, aud Commander ieary told
him through the messenger to stand
his ground, that he would not allow
the German TO make an attack upon
property under his protection.
According TO the German pro.
Eramme. the Adler was to lombard at
dawn. Captain Lcary quietly prepar-
ID Ia foil the plan. NJ the same time
keeping his counsel by using some
hard coal he had aboard he was able
10 get ny steam without the teiltale
smoke that would have warned the
Germans OF his action. Then he muf.
ned his anchor chains with native
mats. and Mt Z In the morning nii
hands were quietly called 10 quarters.
Al day the anchors OF the Adler
were hauled UP and with full steam
ON the vessel made for the open sen.
Nosseles@ly came up the Yankees an.
chorr, and 10 the ainazemcnt OF tho
Adler the Adams WINS close upon her
heels. The German had 10 turn To
grt out Of the barbor. and by the time
rhe reached the entrance the two ships
were close together, Again the Ger
inan turned aud then headed toward
the fort that was To be bombar,lcI.
Commander i.cary ran HIS ship be-
tween the German and the shore and
When about 3,0 yards from the Ad,
ler gave THE order.
Clear Tor action
Al nnee the decks were cleared, anu
the guns were trained. The Herman
followed suit. aud the two ships
steamed alo,i1 the eoas, ready for the
fray.
A shot from either vessel meant war
between the two countries. When Oh.
Iosiie tho native forts. the Adler came
~ anchor. aud the Adams anchored
between the German aud the shore.
No ciose we're the vessels that no guns
could bc fr~i from the Adler without
passing over or through the Adams.
Then Commander i.csry sent this note
to the German commander.
Il have the honor To Inform you
that. having received information that
American property III the IAtoga vi.
entity oi ianlil. Lotoanuu and Solo
solo IL liable TO be- invaded this day. l
Am h.rc for tho purpose VI protecting
The saine."
For hours the then stood at their
guns, but no shot came from the Ger
tnana lie WAS ready 10 war upon the
kafno~ns. but war with tho United
esates ~a. another matter.
A. length the German started on a
rruis~ along the coast. but he could not
shake on the persistent Yankee. Final.
" b. s~aeunced his designs aud rc-
turned so hi. anchorage la Arsa bay.
To her anchorage came also the Al.
tns. and Commander iseary had won
The game.
~-e-==-a-s~H-aaN-4-zsa---.a~
Ne Natural.