New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
SAMOA.
IMPRESSIONS OF A ROMANCE WRITER.


PIP. 322. Charles scTibners sons
The title Of this volume is somewhat misie'u
inc II prenares the reader for chapters OF
luminous exposition Of one OF the mos' opscnrc
and perplexing episodes in recent history. The
chapters are very entertaining and are written
in the authors crisp and fascinating STYLE. But
when the end is reached the reader has the con-
fused feeling OF having been conducted through
n labyrinthine maze by bright, laxative COM
panion who has had much that was interesting
and sparkling to say at every turn. without nav
ing logical method of explanation or real IN
forming qualities in his conversation. samoa,
with its native tribes and it's foreign nfrguers, lts
bush battles, it's feet wrecked by hurricane OIL
the coral reefs. and the labored movement and
grotesquc riva,ries of diplomacy across tie seas,
has caught Mr.. Stevensons Imagination lie has
sought to analyze international controversy and
to make a serious study Of the anomalous deal
ings OF three civilized nations with group OF
polynesian clans. But he has not mind
equipped for such an undertaking. For intcrna-
tonal polCmics he has no taste, and he lacks the
habits and training OF a student OF contempora-
neous history. Unconsciously he converts the
fantastic drama with its dusky warriors and
white conspirators, and the awful intervention
Of nature in the affairs OF jealous nations, into
something nlTuy iOm io"""NS'
1t is very bright narrative with touches Of
strong local coloring on every page In some
respects it is not without value contribution
to the science of sociology. But as "A Footnote
to History" it Is anything but luminous COM
mentary upon the Samoan affair
The work opens with an analysis Of the ee-
ments OF dscord among the native population.
The Samoans are described as Christians. singers
of hymns hardy crickctcrs, and readers OF books
printed by London publishersoand the Tract So
ccty; but In most other points as the contcm-
porarics Of our tattOoed ancestors who drove thclr
charots on the wrong side Of the Roman WALL
They are hard TO understand because they are not
vet clear of the patriarchal and are in period
of communism Samoa has the first appearance
Of a land of despotsm. An elaborate courtlincss
marks the race alone among Polynesians terms
of ceremony fly thick as oaths on board ship;
and the mobiles are dcmigods with an exclusive
diacc. OF their own. The Samoan chief II he he
popular Yields a great deal Of influence but it Is
limited Important matters are debated In
fono, or native parliament with its fcasting and
parade its endless speeches and polite gencalogi-
cal illusions; debated but not decided, for even
small minority will often strike clan or
province impotent. In these councils the chief
usually sits silent The idea OF sovereign is
provinces have in their gift certain high titles or
names. II the chief elected as King OF Samoa has
any one OF the five names he is man to he
reckoned with; hut as King he has less power
than the president Of n college debating society.
Scarcely year goes by but what some province
is in arms or is holding pariaments. disregard
ing the Kings proclamations and planting food
in the BUSH the first step Of military preparation.
Warfare Is not savage. IL has all the punctiiio
Of the barbarian and all his parade Feasts prccede
battles and fine dresses aud songs decorate and
enliven the field. The natives are easy merry
and pleasure loving. Fine dress Is passion
Song Is almost ceaseeS, Games are popular,
especially cricket with hundred on q side.
Fishing, the daily bath. filtration. courtship by
proxy, conversation largely political and the de-
lights Of public oratory Gil in the long hours.
What property exists Is vested in the family.
not in the individual. To work more Is only TO
be pilaged; 10 save Is impossible. Taxes ex-
pose the industrious to q siege OF mendicancy and
the ozy TO Condemnation 70 days labor.
There is n concurrent relaxation Of all sense OF
property. From applying for help 10 knsmen who
are scarce permitted 10 refuse. IL Is hut a step
to taking from them without permission; and
from that TO theft at large is but hairs breadth.
To these conditions Of nominal sovereignty
loose kind Of communism and elaborate regard
for ceremonials and etiquet is added content
ment. The Samoans when left 10 themselves did
well enough but everything has been changed
by irregular invasions OF Adventures and the
introduction OF foreign elements Of discord
The record OF Eight Years of Trouble" be-
gins with account OF the reign dethroncment.
degradation and exile Of Laupepa, more Ia
military known TO American readers as Malicioa.
continues with the adventures OF Brandcs and
his puppct King Tamascsc the battle of Matautu
and the affairs OF Laulic and Fangaii, and closes
with description Of the hurricane and the loss
OF the battle ships and an account Of the existing
condition Of the islands under the treaty arrange
ments ordered by the Berlin Conference. Even
il the events Of this recent episode Of international
politics not fresh In memory il would be
hardly practicable 10 take up this recital and TO
examine it. in detail. since the authors narrative
is markedly discursivc and lacks continuity Of
motive and purpose. Mr.. Stcvcnson's own rela-
tons with the consnls and traders in the islands
have been 30 agreeable that he lacks the critical
temper required for forming an impartial jndg.
ment OF men and events His sympathcs are
mainly enlisted on the side Of the natives and
the figure among them which cxcitcs his hcartest
admiration is Mataafa, the rightfu leader Of the
Samoans Such prcjudices he has formed
against some OF the more ambitious German
nrigucrs are kept under good-nature restraint
While he may have made an exhaustive study
OF the Samoan complication. he writes like one
who had been on good terms with all the prom
ncnt actors, talking freely with them and filling
his notebooks but not troubling himself very
much with the labor Of comparing evidence and
balancing probabilities. While he has had an in
stinciive feeling Of sympathy for the native race
who were adapted TO their own manner Of life
but not TO the conditions Of labor law and
government recklcssly imposed by foreigners. he
is cnamorcd with the fantastic scenes and char
acters OF the Polynesian reefs and bush. The
eight troubous years like a fanciful mirage
floating before his eyes. lie see only the
Laol.