The consuls of England and the States were there (the excellent gentlemen!) to protest.

Last, and yet more explicit, the German commodore who visited the be-titled Tamasese, addressed the king--we may surely say the late king--as "the High Chief Malietoa." Had he no party, then?
At that time, it is probable, he might have called some five-sevenths of Samoa to his standard.

And yet he sat there, helpless monarch, like a fowl trussed for roasting.

The blame lies with himself, because he was a helpless creature; it lies also with England and the States.

Their agents on the spot preached peace (where there was no peace, and no pretence of it) with eloquence and iteration.
Secretary Bayard seems to have felt a call to join personally in the solemn farce, and was at the expense of a telegram in which he assured the sinking monarch it was "for the higher interests of Samoa" he should do nothing.