The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-06
Samoa.

The strained relations that exist at the pres
ent time between the United States and Ger
many: in consequence OF the alleged viola
tions by the latter power of certain interna-
tional rights In Samoa, are likely to make
great many people better acquainted with
geography and the commercial relationships
of our country with distant portions or the
globe, than they have been heretofore. Samoa
Is the generic name of n group Of thirteen Is
lands. known on the map as "Navigator's Is
lands" the most of which are little more than
Tutuila. are large enough to be of any impor-
tance. The first named Is almost all noun.
tains, has but one harbor, and Is destitute OF
rivers and streams. Upolu embraces about
five hundred square miles, and while also
mountainous Is wel.wooded and fertile, and
possesses several valuable streams. Apia, the
chief town (Which the pending controversy
has made familiar). is situated at the head OF
an oval bay on the North coast Since 1879 1t
the Consuls Of Germany, Great Brltian and
the United States. Tutuila Is another island,
seventeen miles long and five broad, and to
US OF America is by far more Important than
either of the other islands In the group, mas
much rs 1t con tains the harbor OF Pango-Pan-
co, one of the best In the South Pacific. This,
by lease from the owners OF the land and
certified by the proper authorities, was Sc
cured by the United States in 1875, for the pur
poses OF a coalng station for American YES
sells. 1t is about fifty miles enst Of Upolu, Is
easy Of access and has plenty OF anchorage
for q ncet oil large SHIPS III lFoIl Mn W IWthIy
fathoms OF water. with perfect protection
Sailing vessels find no difficulty III entering
the harbor. as the trade winds blow straight
in. and n ship can beat out without trouble.
II has also the further advantage OF being In
tn direct line of our commerce with Austral
4 and the Sandwich Islands.
The inhabitants of the Samoan islands as
rule are fine race. That they have a soft and
musical language Is shown in the names OF
the localities above mentioned. Their phys
iuue Is also excellent, and since most of the
people have been converted TO Christianity
they are regarded as moral and honest On
Sunday no work Is permitted on shore. nor
are natives allowed 10 labor on board ships I'D
port. The sale Of liquors Is positively prohib-
ited The foreign residents of the Islands are
omparatvely few in number. but the Ger
mans have thus far succeeded In obtaining
the supremacy, their consul has practically
asserted himself as the leading power In Apia.
German men Of war have gone thither TO en-
force his demand, Malietoa, the hereditary
king, has been deposed and sent rs n prisoner
TamaspSe elected In his place. Mataafa, as
the rightful heir, is resisting this mans pow
er, and likewise the forces of Germany, and
by reason of his honesty and native ability, IT
Is claimed that he carries with him the great
er Influence. The question Is one with which
the diplomatists OF America, England and
Germany are now dealing, and there Is little
probability that 1t will not reach peaceful
solution. 1t Is uota matter of mere territory
that is in point rs much as the possession OF
coallngstations In the South Pacific, that may
The foreign trade is chiefly in copra or cobra.
dried cocoanuts, hreadfru!t, sugar, coffe, etc.
And this is largely In the hands OF the foreign
residents, who number about three hundred.