The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-03-17
NATIVES OF SAMOA,
ONFLlCTING ELEM EN- t.
STRIVE FOR THE MASTERY.
Not q Good Field for Traders-Peopie
Are Gastronomes, with a Fixed OBJ
lection to Sustained Labor-Germans

Samoa may be likenel to a cauldron
in which several conflicting elements
seethe and strive for mastery. This
has been the normal condition of the
islands since they became known to
the civilized world, says the Fortnight
~ Review. During the last few years
there has been a reign of outward and
comparative calm, but this is now
threatened with rude termination. 1t
would be unfair to tax either the ma
tives Or any one of the three protect
ing powers with sole responsibility foT
such denOuement-the natural Sc
Quence of such an inappropriate and
artificial system Of government which
has only been tolerated thus long be-
cause anything seemed preferable to
changes likely to ~reawaken dormant
jealousies. A crisis having arisen,
Germany, as usual, appeared best pre-
pared to meet it; but, contrary to
general expectation, she has, as ten
years ago, faltered to take full advan-
tage OF her opportunities. Whether
this hesitation should be credited to
treaty scrup!es or a~ppTehensions Of
foreign opposition, it would be vain to
Inquire. Yet at the same time it is
we'll to remember that Germany has at
present at her command in Polynesian
waters a naval squadron Of quite I'M
usual strength, strangely reminiscent,
both as regards power and occasion.
of the concentration CT 1888, which was
intended to hasten Samoan annexation,
but ended only in disaster and total
wreck.
Samoa is quite capable of supplying
all the Immediate needs of her chill
dren, even in their present state OF
quasi-refinement. Although Christian
lty is general, and the Samoans are
being gradually weaned from tlleil
primitive customs, their progress to-
ward "civiliZation"-as understood by
the trader-is laMentably slow. Fam
lily pride and objection to sustained la
Dor are the Samoans' equivalent for
caste. They are ~gastronomes after a
fashion, but the luxuriant vegetation
and fertility of their lands, together
with the many products Of their pro-
life waters, provide every necessary
for a well-nourished and healthful ex.
istence. For all clothing, also, which
is essential on the score Of climate
decoration or decency, Samoa is suf.
tcient to the Samoans. Tonga" OF
fine mats, are precious heirlooms, an(
scarcely less valuable in native esti
the cloth made Of the inner bark O
the paper mulberry tree, which, will
%garlands of berries and understanding
flowers, serve as ceremonial attire.
The white residents in Upoiu-fo,
that is the only island in which the,
settle, except as occasional units-sel
dom exceed 420 in number. About 81
per cent are British subjects, Englisl
or colonial born, not a few hein!
"beachcOmbers' Of the types familia,
to readers Of fiction, and consequent,
meriting but slight regard in thu
councils Of the motherland. Other:
have achieved more or less success a:
owners or managers Of plantations
while a third and considerable section
share with the members of other ma
tionalities connection with the Apis
stores. The Germans resident in Sa
moa number only about 100, but, gen
orally speaking, they possess create
influence and are more lavishly blessed
with the worlds goods than thei,
British or American rivals. From tn!
very beginning they suffered under NJ
restrictions in procuring imported la
Dor. whereas the other whites for
many years were prohibited from
equivalent rights. Thus during a con
siderable perior the Germans in Same;
enjoyed a practical monopoly, Which
proved the foundation of their eXpor
trade.