The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-22
French Ministry Questioned as to That Nations
Interests in the Pacifc-English Press
OH Restriction of immigration.
THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
The United States and the English Govern
ment Will Act in Harmony.

UOmlnduce OIL SdInOd. EnSldHu HAS DccH
fully informed of the views of the Ameri-
can government on the matter, and is in
full accord with the opinions held In
Washington. The two governments are
agreed that the action of the agents of Ger
many in Samoa is opposed to the letter and
spirit of the treaty, and also
violates diplomatic etiquette and
endangers the good relations so
necessary to the presence of Americans
and Europeans when dealing with semi
barbarous nations. Dispatches have been
sent to Berlin couched in language convey
ing the foregoing sense of the situation.
The latest news received by Lord Sails
bury from Apia is of a menacing character,
and the Admiralty have therefore ordered
the strength of the Pacific fleet to be in-
creased Immediately by at least two power
full vessels. Count Won Hatzfeldt, the Ger
man ambassador, had an interview with
Lord Salisbury this afternoon, after Mr..
Phelps had consulted with Lord Salisbury.
The Chronicles correspondent at Berlin
learns that Germany will Immediately take
measures to come to an understanding with
the United States government with regard
to Samoa.
A telegram from Auckland says the Ger
man war-ship Eber, which left Samoa on
the 18th, arrived there to-day. The officers
way of San Francisco, and declare that the
statement regarding the alleged tearing
down of American flags burning of houses
of Americans, and firing on British officers
are unfOunded.
American Vessels Ordered to the Islands,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-It is said at the
Navy Department that it will take at least
six weeks for the war-ships Trenton and
Vandalia to make the voyage to Samoa;
that the Nipsic will be the only Unit,'d
States vessel at that country from
now until after the 4th of
March next. The Trenton sailed
from Panama about week agd, but is not
expected to arrive at Samoa more than a
few hours ahead of the Vandalia, which
sailed from San Francisco to-day. The
latter is a faster vessel, and will take
information in regard to the state OF affairs
IN Samoa in addition to what has already
been published has been received at either
the State or Navy departments.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21.--The officers of
the United States steamer Vandalia, which
sailed for Samoa, to-day, were recently de-
tached by orders from the Navy Depart
ment, in consequence of the expiration of
their term Of service, but, in view of the
waters, they asked to be allowed to remain
with their ship, and at their urgent re-
quest the orders detaching them were re-
voked. Gun carriages for the new rifed
also under orders to get ready for sea, have
arrived at Mare Island navy-yard. They
have been en- route from place OF shipment
in the East about three months
The Natives and Their Numerous Wars.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Samoan or Navigators' islands are
located in the South Pacific ocean. between
latitudes 13 degrees, 80 minutes and IA de-
grees, so minutes south, and longitudes 16S
degrees and 173 degrees west They are in
the line of commercial travel between
North America and Australia and New Zea-
land. The population is about $4,000. There
are four principal islands and five smaller
| ones Their area is about / $50 square miles,
and the trade, which is small, has been and
| is controlled by Germans, and consists
| chiefly of copra, which is the dried fruit of
| the ripe cOcOanut, which is shipped eXten-
sively to Europe.
The islands have been governed by king
and a national legislature. The legisla-
| ture was compelled to fine any member 500
WHO dpptdIcu III tuo ocoolOuo III d StdtO Va
| nature.
| In 1872 q civil war ragged on the islands
| which was caused by the proclamation of a
| young chief to be king without the consent
of the separate, districts, as was the custom.
| The country became impoverished, the
| chiefs selling their lands for merely nomi-
| nal sums to obtain arms and ammunition.
| While the war was raging Commodore
Meade, of the United States navy. visited
| the islands, and the chiefs caused him to
| take the harbor of Pongo-POngo under the
| protection of the United States, and in 1878
| Col. A. b. Steinberger was. sent to the
| islands as a special agent of the United
States. He reported that large majority
| of the chiefs and the inhabitants were anx-
| ious for protectorate of the United States.
Accordingly in February, 1875: in General
| Grants administration, Colonel Steinberger
| was again sent to the islands. The object
of the second expedition of Colonel Stein
berger was TO establish, if possible, perma-
| nent government and TO examine closely
| the demands for damages made against the
| natives The arrival of the Colonel was
hailed with joy by the natives. The pres
| ehts of General Grant, consisted of arms
| and ammunition and new flag, composed
| of seven alternate red and white stripes,
with one white star OH blue held. A
constitution was adopted, in which the
| king was elected every four years instead
of for life and the dignity to alternate be-
tween two leading families. Colonel Stein
berger was elected prime minister for life.
4
legislature consisted of senate and as
sembly. In the schools the English, as
we'll as the native language is taught:
Trial by jury prevails and the marriage and
| divorce laws are framed after those of Cali
fornia. Apia is the capital. In 1873 the
United States formed a commercial treaty
with the Samoan government, but In 1879 a
treaty granted to Germany the rights, OF
the most favored nation, and conceded a
port for the use of the German navy and
| the maintenance of magazines
The natives resemble very much the Ma.
lays, except that their noses are short and
not f1attened, as are those of the Malays
Their mouths are large and lips thick, and
in some cases the eyes are oblique. The
hair is black and straight. Boards are not
as common as among Europeans, though
some have heavy boards. Polygamy is com
mon, but two wives seldom live in the same
house The women are considered the equa
of men, and both sexes join in the family
labors.
The missionaries have obtained strong