British and Americans were notoriously the partisans of Mataafa.

They rejoiced in the result of Fangalii, and so far from seeking to conceal their rejoicing, paraded and displayed it.

Calumny ran high.

Before the dead were buried, while the wounded yet lay in pain and fever, cowardly accusations of cowardice were levelled at the German blue-jackets.

It was said they had broken and run before their enemies, and that they had huddled helpless like sheep in the plantation house.