The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-08-08
THE SAMOAN GROUP.
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THESE
ISLANDS ST THE PACIFIC.
Resources and Character of the Islands with
the Traits and Occupations of the PeO-
plea Visit to These Waters.

Far out in the Pacific ocean half way
between the south American and Austria
Ian coasts, lie Il group of islands like tiny
SpeckS upon the waste of waters so lnSiS-
nficant i'll size and far removed from the
usual course of vessels they were not
known until late in the nineteenth cen
fury. They lie between latitude thirteen
degrees and thirty minutes south, and long
ltude los degrees west, and are about the
same distance from the South American
shore as is Hawaii from California.
Inc principal islands of the group are
Manua, Tutwla, Nipalu and Sawall, their
total area being not more than 2,oUo
square miles with Il population estimated
at $1,000.
Manua rises in the regular form of Il
dome TO the height of 900 feet. Around
TINS dome forests and vegetation grow,
while just at the crown of the dOme-llkc
land can be seen the signs of extinct crateIs
and dccaying volcanic matter. The clrcum-
ference of the island ut the base is sixteen
miles, and so mountainous and broken IS
its interior that all communication from
extreme points of the shore, must be made
by water. In fact the interior has never
been explored by the natives and no
stranger dares enter, as the natives eau
ton him that deep rumbiings are often
heard, and at times the ISLAND qulvers and
shakes. notwithstanding the fact that
all appearances disclose that at one time the
volcano was active. however, all recent
authorities say that there is no danger
from that quarter now. The island is in
habited along the shores and extending,
perhaps, a mile back. The natives lead a
life of idleness and eat the bread fruit
and vegetables in abundance without cul-
tivation. The coral reef around the island
is very curious and consists Of two shelves,
the inner one sixty feet wide. while the
outer one varies from 40 to l4O feet.
From distinct mark of high water it APP
pears to have been upheaNed TO tllat cN-
tent.
Tutwila. like its sister island ManUa, is
high and rocky and in the interior rises to
an enormous height above sea level. 1t Is
covered with decaying volcanic matter,
upon which forests and vegetables grow
luXuriantly. The trees are rather low ana
scrubby. but flower and vegetable
growth fourisheS to such an extent rs TO in
dictate that this dccayed matter hundreds
of years ago beched forth from the crater
moutk had the tendency of cnrlcmng the
soil Pago-pago. it's principal harbor. is a
narrow channel or arm that penetrates far
into lis rocky fastness, and on both sides
cliffs Of granite loom up to the dizzy height
of Two thousand feet.
IL the inches and alcovcS of these ellis
nests thousands of sea fowls. and when a
vessel pulls into port they hover over 1t
like black cloud and make the ar md
cons With their shrill cries. The village Of
Pago-Pago is picturcsquely situated at the
head of this arm of the sea. II contains
about thirty houses. There has lately been
located a Protestant mission. The citizens
of Pago-Pago for 4 while were looked
upon as Il treacherous and revenEefui pco-
pie on account of the inhUman treatment
Il crew Of Shp-wrcckcd sailors received ut
their hands This was long ago and all
subsequent dealings with them have proved
i, ,fI,I nd hmm no
I'pol'. tn" third of the ''roup. is about
thirty-six miles from Tutwila, In the ir--
regularity Of It's surface and fertility OF SOL
ii differs but very little from the other Is
lands. 1t is the most important OF the
group and most thickly inhabited. Its prin-
ciplc town and port is Apia and is perhaps
the best hurbOr on the Pacific ocean. The
water is very deep. and six large vessels
can be easily accommodated at one time
Then. too. there are no reefs or shoals to
cndanger vessels. Here il is that the
United States has established Il coaling
station and naval supply stores under terms
of her treaty with the Samoan government
in 1856. The necessity of establishing these
stations at this point was evident from the
fact that when Il vessel put into Apia for
repairs. she must send 1000 miles for coal
and in case Il man of war from our conn
try was needed at Samoa. another vessel
must needs accompany her in order that
she might have coal and other supplies.
In consideration of this privilege the
United States was to look after Apia's
interests and if necessary protect her
rights. Later on the final articles or treaty
were drawn up by United States Commits
sioner Walter William Phelps in 1889.
with Prince Bismarck Some time after
this the British and German governments
were accorded the same privileges as that
given the United States and they, too, es-
tabhshed coalng stations. Apia exports
nlItmpUS
business is carried on. Only recently
cargo valued at $4,000 was shipped from
California and consigned to Apla.
The little village has an estimated popu-
lation of 200 and is the seat of Il United
States consul; has one or two churches.
and hospital for sailors. The homes are
all built of the wood from the bread-fruit
tree and are matched either with Sugarcanc
or palmes. They are low and flat and have
no floors. The ground floor, however, is
covered with rugs that resemble our straw
mating and are woven and plated from
strips OF the palm tree.
The inhabitants of the entire Samoan
group are the same sallow-complectcd pco-
pie rather low i'll stature. lazy and thrift
less. The women are respected by the men,
though they do all the work.
Ihey do the cooking and washing. and to
them is entrusted the general supcrintcn-
dcncy of all matters They do all the larn-
dry work of the sailors. and being thrown
Il great zeal with them. are very expert IN
the handling of boats and frequently make
long trips in their little skiffS unattended
by any OF the men. They are socially in
clined and the women visit the other islands
of the groups. and IT'S nothing unusual for
one to run over to her neighbours house
fifty miles away.
No attention whatever is paid to fishing
though fish could be caught in abundance
Nothing is done in agricultural pursuits,
as all tropical fruits grow wild and
Samoan. when hungry. has only to step
ont of his 'drogShirc" or hut and pull his
bread fruit down and eat. Poultry and pig
cons are raised but are not eaten. as the
natives regard them as being sacred to the
gods.
They believe in one god. but in their
superstitious hearts they give credence to
the idea that quite a number of gods can
infinitely better manage and control human
affairs. They have one god whose sole duty
it is to govern cyclones, one to whom
they look in case of an earthquake. and
so on through the varied category of human
ills. They believe. however, that one god
overrules and governs this committee OF
inferior gods.
Although the Samoan islands are nearly
on the equator. the climate is moist and
saubrious and the atmosphere cool and
invigorating. In the winter months they