Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-12-04
THE SAMOAN SETTLEMENT.

II
first published the Burlington Free
Press sent a request to Hon. Henry @.
Ide, of ST. Johnsbury, formerly chief
Justice of Samoa, for any suggestions
he might make with reference to the
adjustment. In it's issue of Nov. II
to present to our readers this morn
ing a summary of his views on the
situation, which will have wide inter-
est as having been made by one fully
qualified to speak on the subject.
Judge Ide writes as follows;
$50 far as our government is con-
cerned, doubtless the controlling mo-
tive in agreeing to a division of Sa-
moa whereby Tutuila and its ada
cent smaller islands accrue to the
United States, and the remainder be-
come German territory, is that the
tripartate arrangement was difficult
of administration, and exposed to
this hazard of recurring frictions. A
system wherein an autonomous native
government was reorganlzed, but In
which also three great powers were
constituent parts, contained SO many
elements of possible conflict of au-
| thorities and so many wheels within
a Wheel that nothing except the
highest degree of tact and discretion
on the part of all officials, could pre-
vent discord and consequent danger
of international complications. That
90 In 10
always available.
AS to Germany, Samoa has long
been a point of extreme interest in
her colonial policy. Germans have
done far more than citizens or sub
jects Of all other countries to improve
and develop the natural resources OF
the islands. They control the large
commercial establishments and have,
at great expenditure, brought mag
nificent plantations into high state
of cultivation. 1t will be matter of
greao pride to them that a consum-
nation long sought has finally been
realized, and that the best and most
valuable portions of those beautiful
islands have become theirs.
':As to England, her Australasian
colonies will be bitterly disappointed
to have German colony planted and
nourished at their front doors. But
there is compensation in the annex
alton Of the Tongan group, lying
about three hundred miles to the
south of Samoa, as we'll as the more
remote Solomon and Gilbert islands
and in the adjustment of hitherto I'M
settled questions of boundaries in
Africa. (The Samoan adjustment
settles several intricate questions be-
tween England and Germany
GAS to the natives, it does not yet
in the matter, or that they1will be-
Most of them will be under German
control. 1t would not be fair to an
ticipate that they will be missed. 1t
is far more probable that German
authorities will be wise enough to
recognize native customs and hope to
secure native CO operation in peace
full development of the country. 1t
would not be AT all improbable that
they would encourage the natives to
govern their own affairs largely
their own way, with Mataaffa at their
head. Probably this would be expe
dent and helpful to successful ad-
ministration. All native races are
better ruled through their own.native |
chiefs, whom they respect and who
how tho tive mind
"Our possession, Tutuila, is by far
the poorest island of the larger ones |
of the group. It's inhabitants are not |
numerous, five Or six thousand in all,
and are less civilized than those of |
the other islands. Few white people |
reside on Tutuila, one English mis- |
sionary, a few mormon missionaries, |
and half dozen traders are all. No |
mail steamers call there, sor are likely |
to call. The to- be- built Pacific cable !
is not likely to reach Tutuila. The |
harbor of Pago Page on the south
side of the island is the best in Samoa
and is safe from hurricanes and tidal
waves. A feet can there safely ride
at anchor while the storms play havoc
outside. The harbor winds in among
lofty Emountains of volcanic origin,
which effectively intercept the whole
some trade winds. The mountains
condense the moisture from the al
ways laden clouds, making violent
showers, frequently followed by
streaming sunshine unrelieved by
breezes. It is a most disagreeuble
place of residence. The government
or administra for whom we send tbere