Spirit of the Nation ★ Female America

18. Meeting Germany

December 2, 1899

Tripartite Convention

Samoan Islands

Dearest America,

I hope this letter reaches you before Thanksgiving Day and finds you in good health. I have missed our monthly meetings. As with all treasured things, their absence has only strengthened my attachment.

In his last post, England informed me that he would also be attending the convention in Samoa. I have enclosed a letter with the hope that it will reach him, but please do not trouble yourself should you miss one another.

The happiest of Thanksgivings to you on your travels.

Very truly yours,
Canada

A tired smile ghosted my face as the carriage jostled back and forth. I tucked the letter into a small pocket on my bodice and marked it as a low priority.

Just two months later, I found myself involved in another border dispute—this time, my own. The isolated Samoan Islands of the South Pacific had weathered much chaos over the past ten years. The land was under claim by not two but three nations—the United States, the British Empire, and the newly organized German Empire—and natural disasters and civil war had led to many lives lost on both sides. After several failed peace talks, the British agreed to mediate a peace convention.

"I anticipate the Brits will surrender all claims on Samoa," commented the Secretary of State, who sat across from me.

I rested my elbow on the window and leaned my head in my hand. "I anticipate the same."

The American ambassador to Germany chuckled beside me. "Seems to be a daily occurrence of late."

I stifled a smile. It was more than entertaining to watch the British Empire lose control of its far-flung colonies all across the globe. It was poetic justice.

The Secretary's expression remained serious. "It's the Germans who'll give us trouble."

The ambassador peered out the window at the crowded harbor. "Good God, did they bring the whole of the navy?"

I spared a glance at the German warships before leaning a little heavier on my hand. After so many months of travel, I was exhausted and homesick. My eyelids grew heavy as I stared at some point on the carpet.

"Do you have any insight on Germany, madam?"

I blinked at the ambassador in surprise. "Nothing more than what we've read in the papers."

"Forgive me. I meant Germany himself, madam."

I frowned and gestured vaguely. "I...have yet to meet him, Andrew," I admitted. We're all in for lots of politicking today."

After arriving at the embassy, I hovered near the American translator as the usual introductions were made in the foyer. A large number of German military officers were present, a force no doubt intended for intimidation.

My eyes eventually settled on a young man who seemed...different. He wore a nondescript uniform with gold buttons, with his blue eyes and carefully styled blonde hair reminding me of a shorter version of Prussia. When he made eye contact with me, I left my party to approach him.

"Hello," I greeted, feeling a bit unprepared.

"Hallo," he replied. He bowed stiffly at the waist.

"Ah..." I hesitated. The book of German translations I studied on the way had served as an excellent sleep aid. "Es, um, f—freut mich—"