, 1877-11-22


the fact that tnany prominent real cstate own.
cra tnxiet Upon it, lIc will Mt once rank himself
witt, tic new members, whom he considers very
good Commissioners in every rcspeCL
SAMOA.
a Talk with atr. .aecretnry-os.Stnte Mnrnen-
lie IL m Ills Way to Washington to Gel \
/ rrntcctorate for Ills Country.
Among the arrivals At tho Palmer House res.
tcrday were Mk lie Mamea. Secretary Of State
in the Government II The Samoan Islands, AMI
j. q. Co'mcsnIi, formerly Eice-Consul at the
Islands. These gentlemen nre on their way to
Washington on Government business. and for
the purpose Of getting at that business u re-
pnrter called on tho party last evening, and
found them In 4 comfortable parlor taking
great interest In the after-suppcr cigar.
Ma,nca is dark.sklnncd native Of the Islands,
something over si1 feet in height, with a pleas
ant, intelligent face ornamentcd with small
mustarhc. lie speaks English fairIy hut not
fluently. Mr.. Colmcsn1l is q KcntuckIap by
birth. but has lived some time on
tho islands. and knows their situation,
needs. and hopes thoroughly. Tho conversation
vas necessarily interrupted hy the fact that both
Of the visitors wcre often required to Gil out tho
answer to question.
BY woy Of getting at
1lIB oDIEcF or TIE MISSION,
the reporter asked:
"Yotr object is. suppose, 10 ask pro.
tcctorate from the Federal Govcrntncntl'
YVES, the Samoan Government hope to show
the Government Of the United States that Il Is
greatly to It's interest to extend proicctorate
TO the lslands.h
"iIas Mr.. Mamca power to treatI'
"Certalnly: he IL Secretary OF State 10 tho
established Government, and has been accFcdtt-
ed Us Ambassador, With fui. powers to mako
such treaty rs tho Cntted States Government
may be willing, provided Of course that It Ia
ANYTHING like what the Samoana wish"
"Wlat woul.l you like II you had your own
way."
"First, rrotcctoratc.'
"That Is, simply an agreement to sec that
nobody conquered tho Islands, Ia mr.
'.Atout that. The inhabitants arc perfectly
satisfied with their own Government, and wish
To hare 1t continue about asit ia; all they want
Is protection from tho aspirations Of other Gov
rsnnlcnts who havo gained possession ef the
other groups near by. The Fcclee, tho Friendly,
a,nt the Society groups asc already taken br the
English, the French, AMI German Governments,
aud thu ilrstnanlcl ilas always been anxious to
arluirc the Samoan Croup. but Inns 80 far
not been successful. VIC would like to hare
should take possession Ut the Samoan group
"pnrs THAT coMrK1sE THE WHOLE IDEAL"
"Wcll, We world like 10 negotiate Q cntnmcr-
e'al trcaty q; e., weli Mf; Masca aas l' power
succeed, dues tllerel"
",!r: Mamea l,Spcs not, and tloes not fore.ee
hby bey as 5ce' nsh talke u II before o rhe %a
question, With tic Government Of the United
statcs las been concerning tic stability of
tlls catahElshcd Govcrnment OF the ISL
tircc ycars, and l. firm and stable now. When
Sit. Griffin, tho United States Consul, wis in
this country On leave some time AFRO, he was
commissioned to inquire Into the prospects OF
tho tiovernn'cnt % TO stability, and .io report:
Mr. Mntnea can show that there is no doubt ef
Tie lasting power Of the Government IA Il Ii
now Naadc up.''
"wcil, not Just NOW. Tho form of govern
mcnt adopted BY the people three years ago was
c,osci, modelled after That Of tho United States,
With Hing elected for seven years, an Upper
twenty.scyet,. @ Thc King Vas, however, irposc.I.
nla, M new election has been had, 50 thsl rchtly
;he gl,!css officer ia tho President Of the Upper
llousc, l.auasa."
."p!dn't you have solne sort OF rebellion
"Yss about two rear. aco q. party undertook
to rebel, hut they werc put down Ia less than
"What was the ca.lse of tho dlElcultylh
"lt was fun,entrtl and encouraged by the
English; harry letters found upon the tn.ur-
gents, ai,d written by Engllsh.nGu, advising
tAet.1 to retel, Ann telling them that other dis
| trtcts wouh totn then."
"or WHAT COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE
would The secession Of tho Islands be 10 the
United Gtatcsf"
"a larpc lestion Of tho goods used on tho
Islands asa bought In San Franrtsco. OF cUurse
such as ca,, b0 gotten chcancr In Australia Will
| br bt,ukae thure, hut for good share OF tha
suppttrx San Franclfcu 10 tho best market To
buy III. Within few years man l,aile4
Parker, WIN Ownc. q small vessel, began to
trade witl. san fEanslsco, a'.a tl.e other !ner-
ha.i tu follow his lead. Tho result wa goo.l
dea! Of business was diverted from Australia
| tu the United statcs."
''nn Yt,l have regular 1ina Of steamcrst"
"We have lot. but wc hope to within short
| sight Of tho islands OIL tllcIr route from San
| FFanctsco tn Australia. X WI are successful ii.
! out tlatbt."
.W!at Ia the present population Of tho Isl
stuls'
"About 45,ooo natives in tho group, aud
| abnut $40 foreigners"
"liaye suu hal long tousneyl"
"Yes. Unusually long. We weEo afty days OIL
the way irum the lslai,ls to San frsnvIsso.
tllltsy.Are days. and for steamers Mxtcon DAYS.
Or coursc tue trip In the cars auruas tlc contt+
| ncnt has tired Mt, aia,lea, who never, Until
| witAlu lew days, eEen kaw railroad"
The reporter l0nketl With absolute envy OH
Mr, Manica, and almost wished that be too had
yet to acquire hs frat experiences Ut Il Tstlroad.
great hotel. huge city, and all that lnakrs
sone kinds Of lie comfortable, but 1t tho sallle
tlmc tedious.
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