The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-10

one of the most prominent ns-
ures during the recent trouoints
times In Samoa. has writ
ten for the Chicago Times-Hefsid
sksfehy account Of the Samoan people.
With whom he has 30 long lived Herr
Rose Is particularly well qualified to
speak OF the Samoans. for. aside from
the official position he has held among
them during the last six years, ne mas
probably become more intimately ac-
cuAinfed with the natives than any white
man who has been among them In recens
years. He seeks In this sketch 10 give
q picture Of the SaHaoans In their own
homes. showing their quaint customs.
manner Of dress both among men. wo-
men and young girls. their industries.
ceremoniais and other chief character
istics Of these strange people. who OF
late are occupying 20 much attention In
the United States, Germany and Great
Britain--the three nations which have
undertaken 10 direct the affairs Of ia
moa- Herr Roses article Is particularly
timely, coming n the Samoan commits
sioners are returning to report on what
II to be done with Samoa.
At time when Samoa Is occupying 50
much attention on both sides OF the At
lantic. IT may not be inopportune for one
VIM Uho Afst-%k ahtsh6 AAV sfAhhSo&t@ sph
. number OF years, and has had oppor-
tunity for observing their characteristics
and the progress they are making. TO
point cut some OF the more interesting
features OF their daily life and surround
ings. As whole. these 81 60 people. in
Guiding the women and children. form
Q most interesting part OF the poiynesian
race. which. very likely OF Malayan or
igin. came from the north centuries ago
and settled In different islands OF the
Pacifie--Ha await Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa
and New Zealand.
The Samoans are like all the Poiyne-
SLAMS. fine-looking people, their skin be-
Ing OF light brown color. the figures tall
and erect. the faces having a pleasant
cast OF features. the men taller and more
robust than the women. owing to the
outdoor lives they lead Very often the
6AmOans are referred to as "savages,"
but anyone who has had close intercourse
with them knows that more harmless.
more companionabIe ard more amiabis
people can hardly be found. They are
Of an exceedingly hospitable nature. and
foreigners who visit the islands may be
sure that they will be received in the
kindest way whenever they stop In a ma
tive village.
work In Of No Necessity.
NJ StdfSe s6AHbattS are uHCn uiHer-
ent from civilized nations. Regular work
and the hard striving to gain fortunes Ii
quite unknown 10 them. Nature has been
generous TO them and their rich country
provides them In large abundance with all
they want without the stern requirement
Of working for Il. As q result very little
work II required or done. Such nutritious
foods as the bread fruits. tarc. yams. sugar
cane and cocoanuss abound. and the peopi.
6s.rz
most appct!xing dishes out Of these natural
products. There are many varieties OF
1gs. which are reserved for festivities and
for solemn dinners Of ceremony. OF which
the Samoans are very fond. Living In
this way. almost entirely as vegetarians
they need very little neat or animal food
They are fond OF 'fsh and fsshing an much
for the sport A. for the food, and both
men and women are dexteroum fishers with
nets and spears.
Aside from food the wants OF the peopIa
are few Owing To tina tropical climate
they have little need Of clothing. In oider
times the stuys from which the psonla
made their eiohing were preparea frsr. .Ae
bark OF tree. a..a even to this aay these
sfuffs made from tree banks are used i'm
the inlands points. far distant from the civ
Htzing Influence OF Apia- Gradually, how
ever, prints have been imported from Eu.
."4N' as'N sA.t@@ ttc now lIiutI As1eQ i'll
dressing
The men wear an apron, covering IN.
body from the wa!ss down to the knees
The upper part or the sseiy IL usually max.
ed. but little by title the natives living
In the capital. Apia. and the hish chiefs
arc herornins accustomed TO wear sing,s,s
and Jackets.
Foad of Wesrsns Flowers.
The women wear the se-csiiea lava
lava Besides that q costume introduced
by white missionaries in often seen In th,.
islands. being borg dress covering th..
whole body from the neck q tho fee,
Young girls very often wear a small Jacket.
wn'ch covers the upper pars of the body
loosely. leaving The arms and neck naked
both the men and women are exceedingly
fond Of as!orninx themselves vita ftowers
the strong smelling osae- always being pre-
TERED. u IL a very pretty sight 10 see "A
pretty Samoan gfrl hetseckea with hrfgh,
red or yellow flowers with green leaves
wound in her dark hair and wTeathk ayouns:
her neck
III IL peculiar tact that ali satnoanS es-
TEEN u high privilege 10 ges e.aSeesSton
OF an umbrella. ami the umbrella s,efsss 20
be regarded among them a. the certain
mars 81 respectable person So high
chiefs are soliesn seen without an untires-
Ia and thesa ~ lesser rank ssNok forward
fordis 20 tire tire when .hep may ~ the
possos~sorS ~ such q badge of siisflnosias,
II ~ an easy. csrt-fros and geil-free Hfo
which These SansgssFls tive. az iAey can s.aet.
~ get ;he little uaaney watch shsy want -
buy 'he siul1 tor ih.lF clothing They cara
this hS making ceprs- THIS - .hs. Fsstss 81
the e,sccsnut wateh = ire rhiss n-cs,sast NJ
Samoa exported and Is used n ire soap
and ol iutius' res
As the s-si - very fgrfi1e. tt,a cultivation,
cf Tire plants us~d Fe~ sn4si needs very IT.
he work. ana - TIE Sa9yNsns iaaA : Nfe
Of easy Incidence anss ar, q11~ csasatessf
with their ststi@n. Thry So nSss .-,,sr Ar.
hena that "tinse > nsoDeY on ne ecss-
trsry. they pressed sasss iciiNsF4.sly AMI
there IS invariably nsucA sn.ktag anss Sc
iiissFating before any arfiau = taken Iuss
In this respect are sae sAacsms often mis-
Judged. assi there ~ an irritable feessss :
amcnz sosste Foreigners avwr what ssey
consider Ssrnoaa 0asssmaes.
Royalty of Recent Gsrth.
Much 80 the ssnse - tAe Sassseans a
taken up ia dealing wsfn pszallc matters
Fuhitc business Is transacted a4 tszesfiszss
called 'eE~snsss The sfnAtsssg essEastssusRx
v,sst.tt.s .~3.a ssssssM~ s.ssa 49,.