New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-09


The iEads Of samoa i; virtually Controlled by the Ger
man house Of Goddefray & Co., Hamburg formerly
represented at Apia by Mr.. Weber, at present Dy MT
Alfred Pappe who Is also the German Consul The ex
ports are cot on and copra former insiGncant at
present the copra trade Is considerable and grow
ing into larger proportions COpra Is the dried meat or
fruit of the ripe cocoanu which gathered and pre-
pared by the natives. 1t shipped to Europe where
meets a ready sale. The oil enters largely into the
manufacture OF the best candles The COBRA Ia European
mars quoted at about $50 poT tom Ihere being no
about e35 per ton in trade. equal about so
ton There is estimated yearly export of 37J toAs,
with homo value OF Sj,P0,62J.
LANDING AND INTERVIEWS OF THE SPECIAL AGENT
On Thursday morning. Aug. IL anchored in the harbor
of Page Page, with Page Page nag ana our ensign ny
ing. In few minutes our vessel was crowded WIN
natives among them one who could speak little En-
pI,sh John Sine an intelligent but knavsh fellow really
the hereditary chief OF the bay educated Oy inc Rev.
Dr. Powell. rle following day dispatched boat to
the village Page Page, at the head OF the BAY with
message TO Manga, chief AT o'clock he received
me in the t9mnh1nse M we y0Ig
found him flied with an exaggerated view OF ms I'M
pOrtanco. position. and security. Pointing TO the flag
living in front Of MS house, he said that he controlled
the region about him. ana that no was secure IN tue
from America visit the island and learn all that
possible OF SamOatha there was kindly feeling upon
The part of our great Government toward his people
The following day, Maasa, with wife and child dined
with in the cabin OF the Fanny, the decks beng
filed with natives The chiefs family were In European
clothes aud Inhibited little dignity and propriety
Manga, however developed characteristic dis
position gain asking for potage and harDordues
In Page Page first learned OF the virtues and Chris
an attributes OF the natives. CONS, ewery, knives,
and other things might be the deck OF our vessel
hundreds of natives might come and 30, yet article
Of value would be touched.
Aug. Is left Page Pago for Apa, Upoa, landed at
Auuu where explored the island and had long inter
view with Faumuina the Chief VINO expressed his dis
like OF Manga well as his earnest hope that Samoa
would establish government or that the United states
would take them under her wing.
on the morning the 10Th, by appointment met the
assembled chiefs at tine house Of Mr. Collie, Mr. Williams
acting Interpreter. Much time occupied III the
terchange OF compliments when I told them that the
purpose my mission To gather Information OF the
islands aud their inhabitants that was not clothed
come from great nation In small unarmed vessel;
was accredited 10 Samoa and the Sam0ans, the
white foreign residents that l was aware Of the fact
whites which was the result of their own TIL feuds
and advantage taken OF their necessities and that
advise the natives against the sale of land foreigners
assured them OF the kindly feeling of orr Government
ings should mngle with them, shrinking from no
hardshps and would be earnest III my efforts to
learn with and from them.
At this council grave and dignfed chiefs, who
few months before were enemies In war. From that
cheftans would seek me, asking advice and detailing
their plans for the creation OF government and establish
For the time they felt they had met white man
other than missionaries, who advised them against the
sale their land aud mingled freely with them without
sinister motives The feeling became difusei through
the islands, and the Ale Amerika" came to be
known their friend Pages OF specific instructions
could not evnced greater forethought
pshed by the Secretary OF State than the
tence advise the natives against the sale OF prop
erty." 1t at pathway to their confidence.
SACRED MATS SENT TO AMERICA.
On the morning Of the 5th went 10 the Atua House
and found number OF chiefs present with Tupa Much
Of the day agreeably spent with them. found
that petty jealousy was rapidly melting away and
prejudice yielding earnest desire for peace laws
government and the aid Of America. Atua had antic
pated this meeting At home they had held councils
and finally concluded to present to the sacred
mat Tu Atua piece of cloth held in great reverence
by them Older than their history known to most of the
and death. and which would ransom their nation.
Within the mat is its history and description written by
themselves aud translated With much ceremony II
presented by Tupai IN "a lengthy address. | placed IL
upon my head Samoan euquette) and made answer TO
them. This was followed ny an unreseryed talk, IN
which gained no little Information.
On the 2th at the village OF Tau Manua found the
teacher could speak English, and with him Tui-
OF 30 or years. his hair long and white His
people stood around their faces expressive OF and
pity But few white people come To Manua except tho
missionaries and they only AT long Intervals. The ma
tes were so thoroughly Cnrstianized, the little island
90 isolaed ana being without harbor, that they
secure IN their faith Tho old king had kept himself IN
formed OF all matters In the large Islands aud welcomed
inc WIN sincere pleasure. For an hour he held both OF
a 10 me OF government, OF law, OF peace,
,h,s oxaro u MS rove Tor the Samoan people Even
TINS eAeruon was rapidly exhaustino hin and I made
nun T Vel im an hour he sent the TUT Manua
capita tax. With their Resources this mn W 10
ana chcerfuy pad But they know nothing of FINANCES
wisdom but they must fail In pfacc, my uSpny
realize that some Government must aid them Ho' ui'
with population about one.third les, III, H. M
waiiln Islands vastly greater natural resOurcas nt
amaDe ana tractaOe people, aud upon the tr.nL -.
growing trade between Englsh-speaking people samoa
under guidance aud protection would deveop ana 80,
centrate great trade. To the touch OF inSnuo Con
harbors would DO busy mars It's timber utilized and
valleys and mountain slopes teeming with naiiu no
products. A. Il. STENBERGER, u. b. Special eant
Hon Hamilton Fish. Secretary VI staIa Washington.
DC,