The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-13
OUR NEW ISLAND PORT
PAGO-PAGO, SITUATED IN TUTUIIAs
IN THE NAvIGAToRs.
Immense Value from n Naval Strate-
pacific Trade Development.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Tutuila. the Sa-
moan island which falls to the United States
In recent arrangement completed between
Germany and England. subject to ratifica-
ton by the United States government. be-
comes an extremely valuable addition to the
possessions Of the United States in the Pa
cifc. With but a small area and population.
which, according TO the Treasury Bureau
Of Statistics are but fifty-four square miles
and 1900 population. II possesses the most
valuable island harbor in the south Pacific
and perhaps in the entire Pacific ocean
A representative Of the London Times. re-
Gently in Washington, who had visited and
was thoroughly familiar with not only the
Samoan islands but those Of the Pacific
generally, pronounced the harbor Of Pago-
Page, in the Island of Tutuila, the best in
all the Pacific and the Pearl Harbor in the
Hawaiian group the next in value as a
harbor, the United States thus being the
possessor of the chief island harbors ana
ports of call, supply and repairs in the
Pacific ocean.
Commercially the Samoan islands. singly
or as group, are unimportant so far as
their local production or consumption -
concerned. but extremely important In their
relation to the commerce Of any nation de-
string to cultivate transpacific commerce..
Mr.. Coward, who was sent by the United
States government TO the Samoan islands
to arrange for treaty with reference To
the harbor of Pago-Pago. said: The ca
pacity OF this harbor is sufficient for the
accommodation OF large fleets: landlocked
1t is safe from hurricanes and storms and
could easily be defended from land or sea
IL To-, x.o1 ,fsa-
of view it is the key position to the Samoan
group and, likewise, TO central Polynesia,
and is especially located for the protection
of American commerce. The Samoan archi-
pelago is, by reason OF its geographical
position in central Polynesia. lying in the
course OF vessels from San Francisco TO
Auckland, from Panama 10 Sydney ana
from Valparaiso TO China and Japan ana
from being outside the hurricane track, the
most valuable group in the south Pacific
Situated half way between Honolulu and
Auckland Pago-Pago would be a most con-
venient stopping place or coaling stauon
or the exchange of commodities. With the
Pacific mail steamers making IL port Tor
coaling IL would necessarily become the con-
trolling commercial place in that part or
Polynesia"
The above statement, made by Mr..
Coward in 1887. applied simply TO the har-
Dor Of Pago-Pago, and its importance in
creases with the occupancy and complete
ownership of the entire island BY the Onited
States, and becomes additionally important
in view Of the control by the United states
of the Hawaiian and Philippine groups. the
prospective constructor OF an 1srnm,sn
between the United States and the great
markets OF Asia and Oceanica. which buy
annually more than a billion dollars worth
of goods. and nearly all Of this OF the class
of merchandise which the people OF the
United States desire 10 sell.
The interest of the United states In the
isanda. and ESPECIALLY IutUila.
which now passes completely under our
control provided the agreement OF Germany
and England is ratified by the United
States, began in 1872 when Commander
Meade OF the United States navy. made a
Island of Tutuia, by which the port OF
Pago-Pago was to become the properly OF
the United States on condition that friend.
ly alliance be made between the island ana
this government. President Grant In
message sending the treaty TO the United
States Senate in that year said: The adj
treaty processes 10 make are SO great In
view of the advantageous position OF the
| steamers between San Francisco and AUS
| tralia that I should not hesitate 20 recon-
mend Its adoption but Tor the ooi; gauon
of protection on the part of the United
| States which IL seems 10 imply. This OBJ
/ legation of protection was afterwsrd
| modified by the Senate. which then ratified
| the treaty. which in turn was accepted by
! the Samoan chief, the finai treaty Was
signed on Jan. Z, lS1S and the rauncations
| TO establish at Pago-Pago a station Tor
| coaling, naval supplies. freedom OF trade.
| commercial treatment as favored nation
and extraterritorfal consular Jurisdiction
| were secured to the United States The en-
| tension OF United States control over the en-
/ tire island according TO ne plan proposed
| by Germany and Great Britain would con-
summate the wishes expressed by the cnief
| of the island in the draft Of the treaty for
| warded TO the United States In ls1e, and
| thus bring the people OF the island into
| closer relations with this government Tor
| which they asked on that occasion
Commercially. as already Indicated the
| island Is extremely important IN Its rels-
| ton 10 transportation between the United
| States and Asia and Oceanlca- though un-
| Important as to local production or con-
| sunption the entire Importation OF the
| Samoan group being but a half million
| dollars annually, the bulk coming from the
! Australian colonies. the nearest sources OF
| supply, while the United States and Ger
many divide about equally the remainder or
| the trade. The port OF Pago-Pago was
| shortly after the treaty surveyed by the
| United States government and a coaling
| station was established last year. In con-
| sidering the value of Tutuila and It's har-
| Dor OF Pago-Pago IL Is proper 10 add that
| the Samoan naval disaster of 1883. In which
| a number OF naval vessels were wrecked
| during a severe storm. occurred In the road
| stead Of Apia. on the Island OF Upolu. and
| not In the land-locked and weil-protected