New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-07
SAMOAN CHIEFS PUNISHED.
SENTENCED FOR PLOTTING INSURRECTlON-
TAMASESE-A BIT OF FOLKLORE.
Apia. Samoa Islands, April %.

TAMASESE-A BIT OF FOLKLORE.
Apia. Samoa Islands, April 25
About three weeks ago two chiefs from Male
one OF the most turbulent and troublesome towns
on the isand-were arrested, and tried Tor &C.
dition. They were instrumental In organizing
n movement toward holding "Fono"-pohucal
assembly-to discuss the Kingship question:
their desire being to ta.e Mataafa to Manoho
and make him King in place of Malletoa' IheSe
two chiefs we're sentenced TO imprisonment ior
six months, which in this country doesn't amount
to punishment. 1t was rumored arouho hpla
that "Fono" was held on April Il Dy repre-
sentatives from the districts of Manono, Faas-
aleleaga and Viamauga to consider the adVls-
ability of taking Mataafa down TO certain
village and proGlaiming him King. Trouble
has been breeding since March when the men
of Manono came up to "1abolo' TO the Chlel
Justice. Manono is the "Mamapo' naughty
district in all Samoa, and in the past has always
had the say" in the political intrigues OF the
country They received conspicuous snup aU
the time above mentioned. and went home ieel-
ing sore At the time Of the 1alolo, after the
presents were deposited in front of the Cher JUS
tice. Mulipola. ore of the principal chiefs, made
q long speech In which he scored King Mahe,oa
numerically He expressed preference Tor
and presented arguments and reasons for so DO
inr The Chief Justice interrupted the speaker
and said that he could not listen to such talK'
and that it must be stopped Mulipola, IN en-
deavoring to explain. only made matters WORSE
for the Chief Justice and consuls all lett theT
seats and walked from the ground, leaving the
chief to talk. This was crusher TO people VINO
have ALWAYS considered themselves the rulers Of
Samoa, and who have always furnished the navy
in times of war. Black and ugly were the faces
that were turned homeward, and that they, to-
gether with some others, are disposed 10 make
trouble is not matter of surprise
Relative to this hnGshiD business comes the
news from Luflufi of the death of Tamasese, who
was King under German protection. lie had been
gradually failing for some months, and was re-
ported dead about month ago. This time there
is no doubt about IT, He died April H. st Lufiluh,
and YVES buried with all the ceremonies BETTING a
great chief Thus one of the disturbing elements
in Samoa is removed forever 1t is said that he
gave his title his son, according to Samoan Gus
tom Not long ago ! saw large silver medal
which the Germans had struck of to be presented
TO Tamasese In one of the battles IL was captured
by one of MaletOas warriors, who proudly wears
it on his breast on all public occasions, much to
the confusion of the other party. lie was offered
a large sum to give it up, but refused.
The Germans, not content with flooding the
country with debased South American money,
now that it will probably be withdrawn from cir
culation. wish to substitute the German mark as
circulating medium That the Samoan is rapidly
becoming civilized is apparent from circumstance
that happened the other day at one of the stores.
A native brought in 175 pounds Of copra to sell.
After it was weighed out a ticket given him
with the weight marked on it for presentation and
payment at the office. The fellow, who was not
slow in figures slipped into some quiet place and
inserted in front Of the l75, making the weight
appear 2175. The clerk at the office, suspecting
that something was wrong, started to investigate,
and the Samoan skipped. Who will say that the
native Samoan is not capable of advancement?
Aside from politics and business, in matters
pertaining TO the hearts of the gentle sex he is
also successful. Even though his wardrobe be
limited to the conventional sunny smile and
string Of BEADS" yet he has winning way One
of the party who went from here on the tour to
Germany recently received a feryent epistle from
some fair one Of that land, who talks OF walking
with her loved friend on the coast Of the eter-
nitv sea and looking in Manogi's dark eyes, for
getting the whole world In them.
The fashion of mixing lime and plastering it all
over and through the hair while wet is much III
vogue with the Samoans Tie hair Is comDed up
on all sides and when the lime sets or stifens the
hair remains in that position and assumes snow
white appearance. Numerous applications turn
the original black color of the hair TO blondne.
Business is dull, but will probably soon begin to
improve, now that bright clear weather has come
and the natives can make copra." This Is made
from cocoanuts concerning the origin Of which the
natives here tell this legend Many years ago
married couple were living on upoI1," having
mother, while fishing in the salt water, caught
small eel, which she brought home for Sna 70 play
with, making basin In the ground and filling II
with water 20 keep 1t In, AS time passed the eel
grew to large size, and one day, while the little
girl was playing, bit her, frightening her very
much. She came running to her mother, saying
that the eel had bitten her. The father and
mother, becoming alarmed, concluded to remove to
another part of the island, leaving the eel behind.
After they had gone some distance they looked back
and saw it following them. The father told his
wife and child 10 continue on their way, while he
raised mountains in the path and stopped the cells
| progress SO saying he turned into a range OF
| mountains seen to this day The mother looking
| back again some time AFTER saw that the eel was
still in pursuit. SO she instructed the young girl
| to keep on, and she would stop and raise noun
| tans 20 obstruct the monsters path. Accordingly
| she waited and became changed into mountains,
but all 10 no s iiI oR E%9Sns P the
| chase continued I'LL the girl came TO o village
where she sought protection: but the people were
| afraid and she had To hasten away. At another
town the inhabitants agreed to protect her against
! the monster She was called into a chiefs house
| and the hest way Of overcoming the eel discussed
Finally the chief sent the Young men out to gather
some roots Of Ava, and made bowl Of drink but
mixed with il cup Of poison. Then he cried out in
a loud voice: First present the stranger outside
outside the door to wait for the girl AS soon as
ne had drunk the Ava the eel discovered the decep-
ton, and knowing that he must die, sent for Sna
and said Sina, we are about 20 part forever and
shall never you again but when die, do you
ask for my head and when they have cut IL of and
brought il 10 you, plant il in the ground and il
shall grow and become tree bearing fruit, which
shall contain food and drink for you. When you
drink you shall see my face, your two. eyes shall
look into mine, and your mouth will kiss nv
mouth -; and 10 this day one can see the eyes and
mouth Of the eel in the end Of the cocoanut which
L aims fhn fhrnn small holes