Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-23
SO beautiful islands have become

these beautiful islands have become
theirs
"As to England, her Australasian co onies
will be bitterly disappointed to have
strong German colony planted and nour-
shed at their front doors But there Is
compensation in the annexation of the
Tongan group. lying about three hundred
miles TO the south of Samoa as well as
Of the more remote Solomon and Gilbert
islands and in the adjustment of hitherto
unsettled questions of boundaries in AZ
RIGA (The Samoan adjustment settles
several intricate questions between Eng
land and Germnny)
"As to the natives, It does not yet APP
pear that they have been consulted in
the matter, or that they will be. Most Of
them will be under German control. 1t
would not be fair to anticipate that they
will be misused. 1t is far more probable
that German authorities will be wise
enough to recognize native customs and
to hope to secure native co operation in
a peaceful development CT the country
1t would not be at all improbable that
they would encourage the natives to gov
way, with Mataaffa at their head. Prob
ably this would be cXpedent and helpfIl
to successful administration. All native
races are better rulcd through their own
high chiefs. whom they respect. and who
know how the native mind acts.
"Our possession, Tutulla is by far the
poorest island of the larger ones of the
hal, 8
five or six thousand in all, ana are less
civilized thar those of the other Islands.
Few white people reside on Tutuila, one
English missionary, a few Mormon mis-
sionarias. and half a dozen traders are
all No mail steamers call there, or are
likely to call. The to-be-Oult Pacific ca
bic is not likely to reach Tutuila. The
harbor of Pago Pago. on the south side
of the island is the hest in Samoa and is
safe from hurricanes ana tidal waves. a
feet can there safely ride at anchoc while
the storms play havoc outside The har-
Dor winds IN among lofty mountains of
volcanic origin, which effectively inter-
cept the wholesome trade winds. The
mountains cordense the moisture from
showers. frequently followed by steaminG
sunshine unrc,ieved by breozcs 1t is a
most dlslgr2eabe place of residence. The
governor or administrator whom we send
there may resdein some more attractive
portion of the island but at best, he must
live a lonely and isolated life, vastly diff
feront from that at Aria, where the great
trade winds constantly temper the heat
where warships with gentlcmanly and So
cially inclined officers resort, where The
trGnS-Pacifc steamers all come, where
the officials circle exists. and where nu'
mcrous intelligent tourists from the worlC
over delight to enjoy the picturesque ma
. tive life and the charms of tropical seem
cry.
Some of our people have regretted tina
England. instead of Germany, was not t
assume control. They have thought, il
view of what took place between Admirl
Dewey and the German admiral at Manil.
as well as of other incidents, that tn,
English would be better nCighbors il
those remote regions. But it is probable
very difficult to get along with now tina
their ardent wishes for control of Samoa
have been gratifed. Personally, | will no
ask more courteous treatment than wa
accorded me by my German and Englisl
: oticial associates during the years of N.
residence among them"
HENRY c. IDE.