New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29
SAMOA.
THE WAYS OF ITS NATIVE AND FOR
EIGN POPULATION.
From The Fortnightly Review.

EIGN POPULATION.
From The Fortnghtly Review.
Samoa may be likened to caldron in which
several conflicting elements seethe and strive
for mastery. This has been the normal con-
dtion OF the islands since they became known
TO the civilized world. During the last few years
there has been a reign Of outward and compare
tive calm. but this is now threatened with rude
termination. II would be unfair to tax either
the natives any OF the three protecting
Powers with sole responsibility for such denOue-
ment-the natural sequence Of inappropriate
and artificial system OF government which has
only been tolerated thus long because anything
seemed preferable to changes likely to reawaken
dormant jealousies. A crisis having arisen, Ger
many, as usual appeared best prepared to meet
II; but, contrary to general expectation, she has
as tey years aGo-faltered TO take full advan-
tage OF her opportunities Whether this hesita-
ton should be credited to treaty scruples APP
prehcTeiOns Of foreign opposition il would be
vain to inquire. Yet, AT the same time. il is well
TO remember that Germany has at present at
her command in POlynesian waters naval
squadron OF quite unusual strength strangely
reminiscent both as regards power and occasion,
OF the concentration of 1888 which was intend
ed to hasten Samoan annexation but ended only
in disaster and total wreck.
Samoa is quite capable OF supplying all the
immediate needs Of her children, even in their
present state OF quasi-refinement Although
Christianity is general, and the Samoans are
being gradually weaned from their primitive
customs. their progress toward "civiliZation'-
as understood by the trader-is lamentaby slow.
Family pride and objection 10 sustained labor
| are the Samoans equivalent for caste. They
are gastronomes after a fashion, but the luXuri-
ant vegetation and fertility Of their lands, to-
gether with the many products OF their prolific
waters, provide every necessary for a well-nour-
ished and healthful existence For all clothing.
| also, which IA essential on the score OF climate,
decoration or decency, Samoa is sufficient TO
the Samoans Tonga" or fine mats, are pre-
/ cious herloOms, and scarcely less valuable IN
/ native estimation are the lava lavas of "salpe,
/ the cloth made OF the inner bark Of the paper
! which garlanfq
and understanding flowers, serve as ceremonial
! attire The latter may be deemed somewhat
scanty, but it certainly harnonizes more pleas
antly with the cinnamon brown skin OF a sam
oan beauty than do the gaudy calicOes and vel
veteens which have been introduced by the
traders, and which-when cut after "a long way
after the fashions OF Suburbia-are the peculiar
objects Of consular and missionary benson. The
unsOphisticated much-bathing chief, lightly clad
during periods Of unofficial life with waistcloth
and elaborate tattooing' seems to the uhpreJu.
diced cosmopote a more consistent type OF
virile honesty than his cousin of the European
iZed beach" strutting about in the inconSru-
| GUS limiting products Of an Apia store. For
reasons such as these Samoa has up to he
present proved a somewhat infelicitous field Tor
the foreigner intent merely upon commercial
exploitation.
The white residents in Upolu-for that is the
only island in which they settle except as occa-
sional units-SedOm exceed four hundred ana
twenty IN number. About 30 per cent are British
subjects English colonial born, not a few
being "beachcOmbers' Of the types familiar 10
readers Of fiction. and consequently meriting bur
slight regard in the councils Of the motherland.
Others have achieved more or less success as
owners or managers Of plantations. while a third
and considerable section share with members OF
other nationalitles connection with the Apla
stores The Germans resident I'm Samoa number
only about one hundred and twenty. but, gener-
ally speaking they possess greater influence,
and are more Iavishly blessed with the worlds
goods than their British or American rivals.
From the very beginning they suffered under no
restriction in procuring imported labor. whereas
Ia. at her "
from equivalent rights Thus during cOnsd
cradle period the Germans in Samoa enjoyed a
practical monopoly. which proved the foundation
Of their export trade.