The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-06
Our CoaHl1g
Station at
Pango Rs1eo

1'SO : o11S0
After lapse OF more than rs years
the United States is going TO reclaim
one OF the finest as well as best located
harbors in the Pacific ocean: The place
is TO be used as station for the rendcz
vous or the vessels OF the Asiatic and
south Pacific squadrons, which can be
taken there for needed repairs and also
TO replenish their supplies OF provisions
and coal without crossing the ocean to
one OF the home stations.
The Hispano- American war taught the
government many things. Among them
was the necessity of having a large
number OF coaling and supply stations
distributed about the world. II has been
demonstrated that these stations. with
growing navy. are just as essential as
the powerful ships that carry the stars
ana stripes into the remote parts OF the
world. IL was at the beginning of the
war that the authorities were confront
ed with the needs OF these stations.
Since then many ports that were for
meriy under control of Spain have fall
en- into the possession OF the United
States
The harbor to be improved Is almost
In the center of the Pacific ocean be-
tween the equator and the tropic OF
Capricorn and is most admirably situ-
ated and equipped FOR the uses to which
IL Is to be put. IL Is on one OF the group
OF Samoan islands and Is conceded to be
one OF the best natural harbors In the
world
The harbor In question Is Pango Pam
go. IL is about 1000 miles south south
west from Hawaii and about $500 miles
east from the Philippines, both OF which
places recently came under the stars
ana stripes. one by the victory OF Ad>
miral Dewey, the other by annexation.
Little Is known of the Samoan islands.
and few people are aware OF the fact
that Uncle Sam had stretched his arms
so far beyond the borders of his home
country. 1t has been known for many
years that the stars and stripes have
flown over portion of the frozen north.
but IL was not known that in land OF
continual summer and ever blooming
flowers the flag was also to be found.
The islands. like the climate and sur
roundings. have had a peaceful exist
ence, and only during the last so years
have they been brought into any promi-
nence. This was caused by some OF the
more civilized nations reaching out their
always greedy hands to take from the
weak. They. however. were called to
halt.
Uncle Sam did not use his power to
get possession of the harbor which Is
now to be put to use as naval station.
1t was given TO the government by the
natives. who have always been on the
most friendly terms with the United
States. Early in 1872 Commodore Rich
~ vd a. To- a
and since deceased) visited the islands
He entered Pango Pango harbor and
was impressed with its natural sur
roundngs and its value as a naval sup
ply station. The channels are deep
enough toadmit the largestvessel. while
the high hills which surround IL make
ii safe haven from the storms that
sometimes rage in the southern Pacific.
The harbor possesses many advantages
over that of Apa and the others In the
IA islands that make up the group. 1t
is on one OF the direct routes between
the United States and Australia. The
island contains about so square miles.
and the population OF Pango Pango Is
about 400. Negotiations were entered
into between the United States govern
ment and the natives, and the harbor
was turned over TO us. Robert Louis
Stevenson made his home on one OF the
islands, and he was right when he said
il was the paradise OF the world.
The islands are OF volcanic forma-
ton. The peaks rise out OF the sea TO
a height of from 200 to $500 feet. They
are covered with a luxuriant growth OF
palms and other tropical plants. which
seem to bow a welcome to the visitor
who lands on their peaceful shores. The
climate OF the islands is incompatible.
The temperature seldom reaches above
80. and the rains are distributed
throughout the year Everything grows
without artificial aid. Sugar cane
grows wild and is used by the natives
TO thatch the roofs of their houses. The
people are peaceful. and they seldom
war with each other. The villages are
we'll governed and cared for. Diseases
such as are found I'm other places in the
tropics are unknown. and plague has
yet TO make its appearance. The ma
tives. especially the men. are tall and
powerfully built. They are intelligent.
and I'm the towns and villages are to be
found schools in which the young ara
taught TO read and write their native
language. which. like that of the Has
waiians. is soft and musical.
The disturbance that visited the iss
lands I'm 1889 was quickly settled, and 4
since that time they have been under
the joint protectorate of England. the
United States and Germany. With tho
stars and stripes again floating over
the harbor OF Pango Pango the sun Will
never set on American possessions. and
the peace OF the place will be assured
for Uncle Sam will stand no intrusion
from nations with land grabbing pro-
clivities.