'Few lazy old chaps will die... no loss'

Invincible Strangers 30 Chapter 13.4

‘Few lazy old chaps will die... no loss’

American Sāmoa bought out the worst of Logan’s tropenkoller.

He loathed the US for its failure to join the Great War until April 1917 and had refused to have anything to do with Nelson, Meredith and Moors who he felt supported Washington. American Sāmoa Governor Lieutenant Commander John Poyer had received no specific orders, but on 3 November, four days before Talune arrived in Āpia, Sonoma called at Pago Pago from San Francisco. Two passengers had pneumonia and the ship was placed in quarantine alongside the wharf. Poyer heard of the disaster emerging in Western Sāmoa. He was willing to send to Āpia the local naval hospital's three medical officers and orderlies who had volunteered to go. On 20 November Poyer sent a radio message to the American Consul in Āpia, Mason Mitchell: ‘Greatly regret to learn of severity of epidemic, and extend sympathy and hope speedy recovery for Mrs Mitchell. No cases here yet. To avoid risk of contagion here will require all vessels from Āpia to undergo five days absolute quarantine before discharging or taking on board any mail or cargo. Request you to inform authorities of this decision Please inform me if we can be of any service or assistance.’

John Poyer. Wikipedia

Mitchell picked up the message at the Post Office and while he was there Logan walked in. Mitchell handed the message to Logan, asking him to read it and pointing out the offer of assistance. Logan made no comment. He had already seen the telegram; he was ignoring it. Under military orders all telegrams were subject to censorship by either Westmacott or Logan. Westmacott later recalled a telegram from Poyer, but could not remember who had cleared it. When he went back to the files to check the signature on the original, he discovered the telegram was missing.