Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-01-30
OUR RELATIONS TO SAMOA.
Some Points Regarding tho Char
acter Of tho Islands--Their Loca-
ton and History.

The Samoan or Navigator islands,
which are likely to be the source of a
serious diplomatic dispute between the
United States, England and Germany,
owing to their high-handed seizure re-
Gently by q war vessel of the last
named country, are seven in number.
The group lies between the 18th and
14th parallels Of south latitude and
between 1853 deg. and 173 deg. of west
longitude. extending sixty nautical
\ miles north and south and about two
I hundred and eighty miles east and
west. The total area of the islands is
$3.50 square miles, and the population
is estimated at ga, 600 of which 500 are
whites. The islands were first discov-
cred in l72l by a Dutch navigator
named Roggewein, and were subse-
quently visited at long intervals by Nj.
de Bouganville, by La Perouse, and by
whalers, slavers and pirates. In 1889
the United States exploring expedition
made a careful survey Of the group.
The only whites found on the islands
at the time were runaway sailors and
deserters from m~en-of-war. They were
living on friendly terms with the ma
tives, had married and in some cases
acquired considerable property. Fol-
lowing this expedition American and
foreign missionaries anne to the
islands, and eventually tho firm of
Cesar, Godefroy a. Co., Of Hamburg
and San Francisco, Cal, opened a
branch house at Apia, the chief town
Dpf the group. started two cotton plan
k%ations, and acquired a considerable
fortune during the civil war by ship
ping the product to Europe in it's own
vessels. About this time consuls were
appointed by England, tho United
States, and Germany.
II was not until 1872 that this coun-
try obtained u foothold in Samoa by
an arrangement between Capt. Mead
of the United States navy and the ma
tive chiefs of the island of TutuiIla, on
the south side of which is situated the
magnificent .harbor of Pago-Pago. The
three principal islands of the seven arc
Savaii. Upolu. and Tutuilla, and the
chief Importance OF h latter is the
possession of this harbor, which is
land-locked on all sides and has a
depth of water sufficient for the largest
vessels. The entrance is safe and easy
and sheltered both from the winds and
the heavy rollers of the Pacific ocean.
The land around the harbor is well
adapted for the construction Of
wharves. docks, and warehouses, and
it lies directly in the great circle
track" between Australia and San
Francisco. 1t. was those considera-
tons, Joined with the Importance of
securing for the government some
coaling station in the long stretch be-
tween New Zealand and tho Sandwich
islands. that induced Capt. Mead to
hoist the stars and stripes at Pago-
Pago and take the harbor under the
protection of the United States. The
natives agreed hat in return for this
protection they were not to sell, mort
gage, or in any way make away with
the lands surrounding the harbOr. This
arrangement, however. did not attain
the dignity OF n treaty binding on Sa-
moa until Jan. II, 1873, whom it was
duly ratified at Washington, "the high
contracting parties being Malieton,
the then king of Samoa, and the Presi-
dent of the United States.
The advantages thus gained at once
attracted the attention OF the consuls
OF Germany and Great Britain, who
Immediately informed their govern.
ments that the United States was be-
ing favored at their expense. Germany
was the first to take alarm, and through
the German consul at Apia tie
king was induced TO sign a treaty SIM
liar to that with the United States with
the German empire. This treaty,
which gives the port OF SaloDtala 10
Germany, was signed at Apia Jan. IA,
1879. Another treaty of like tenor vas
signed with Great Britain at Apia
Aug. %, 1879. The treaty with Great
Britain provided for the establishment
by the latter of a coaling station for
her fleet in the Pacific, but, unlike the
preceding treaties, did not designate
any port as being under the protection
of her flag. Germany, by Selling on
the Samoan Islands, has ignored the
rights of both England and the United
States, but in our case he has virtually
taken possession of a port coded to us
in due accordance with international
law, and, as a matter of principle, we
will naturally be expected to protect
- honor of our flag.
The export trade of the island is not
81 very great Importance, and is near-
ly altogether in the hands of a few
German merchants. The chief exports
are pressed cocoanut, from which the
oil is extracted in Germany, and cot
ton, the greater part of which also
goes to Germany. Nearly everything.
save the necessaries of life, are inn
ported from Germany. Australia. and
the United States.
The government of the country is n
kind of a limited monarchy. The
present king is Malieton Lampapa,
who is assisted by a v~iceroy named
Tomasese, and two legislative cham
bers-an upper n composed OF mobiles
or chiefs, and a lower, composed OF
deputies elected by districts. Such Is
q brief sketch of the little group of
islands which may draw us into serious
trouble with the German empire, cx-
cept that power reoedes from its pres
ent position, or we abandon the har-
Dor of P%ago-Pago Snd deprive ouI-
selves OF q coaling station OF great i'm