The indeptedness of the local kings and chiefs to the German traders. Ie Traders and everything, so that their home government annex Cameroon for them to collect their debts.
The influence of Germans pressure groups. Eg industrialists, non-German league, Navy league. Came forcefully calling on their government to look for “a place in the sun”.
The impressive size of diplomacy of the German gun boat “MOWE” make the natives that, they can have better protection from the Germans.