New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-13
UNCLE SANS NEW ISLAND.
TUTUILA. IN THE SAMOAN GROUP. A
VALUABLE POSSESSION.
THE FINEST ISLAND HARBoR IN THE PACIFIC
IMPORTANT AS A CoArING STATION

IMPORTANT AS A COALING STATION.
Washington. Nov 70 (speciaD. the sa-
moan island which falls 20 the United States In
the recent arrangement completed between Ger
many and England. subject to ratification by the
United States Government, becomes an extremely
valuable addition TO the possessions OF the United
states In the Pacific With a small area, which
according to the Treasury Bureau OF Statistics Is
only hfty-four square miles, and with only four
thousand population It possesses the most valua-
Die Island harbor in the South Pacific, and perhaps
In the entire Pacific Ocean. A representative OF
THE London Times" recently In Washington, who
had visited and thoroughly familiar with not
only the Samoan Islands. but those of the Pacific
generally, pronounced the harbor Of Page Pago
In the Island OF Tutuila. the best In all the Pacific.
and Pearl Harbor. In the Hawaiian group. the next
In value as harbor. the United States thus being
the possessor OF the chief island harbors and ports
OF CALL supply and repairs in the Pacific Ocean.
Commercially, the Samoan Islands sngly or
a group are unmportant, so far their local pro-
ducton and consumption are concerned, but ex-
tremely important In their relation TO the
merce OF any nation desiring to cultivate trans
Pacific commerce Mr. Coward. who by
the United States Government TO the Samoan ISL
ands to arrange for treaty with reference to the
harbor OF Page Page, said:
The capacity OF this harbor Is sufficient for the
accommodation OF large fleets; landocked, IT IS safe
from hurricanes and storms, and could easily be
defended from land or sea attack at small ex-
pense. IN 4 naval point or view 10 Is the key posi-
ton to the Samoan group. and likewise to Central
Polynesia. and is especially located for the pro-
Archipelago is by reason OF its geographical posi-.
ton In Central Polynesia, lying in the course OF
Panama to Sydney and from Valparaiso to China
and Japan. and from being outside the hurricane
ciac Situated half way S Between Honolulu and
Auckland, Pago Page would be most con-
sells or steamers. either for supplies or for the ex
change Of commodities. With the Pacific mail
moi for uOn
necessarily become the controlling Commercial
place in that part Of Polynesia.
The above statement made by Mr. Coward IN
1887. applied simply to the harbor OF Page Pago
and its importance increases with the occupancy
and complete ownership OF the entire island by the
United States. and 1t becomes additionally important
in view Of the control by the United States OF the
Hawaiian and Philippine groups the prospective
construction OF an sthmian canal and the rapidly
growing commerce between the United States and
the great markets OF Asia and Oceanica, which buy
annually more than slOO,M0Oo worth OF goods,
and nearly all OF this OF the class of merchandise
which the people OF the United States desire to sell
The interest OF the United States In the Samoan
Islands. and especially Tutuila, which now passes
completely under American 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 treaty
with Maunga, the great chief of the island OF
Tutua, by which the port OF Pago Pago was TO
become the property OF the United States, on con-
dition that friendly alliance be made between the
island and this Government. President Grant, in
message sending the treaty TO the United States
Senate In that year. said:
The advantages OF the concessions which the
treaty processes 10 make are SO great. In view OF
the advantageous position Of Tutuila seaport as
coaling station for steamers between San Fran
cisco and Australia, that l should not hesitate TO
recommend its adoption but for the oblgation Of
protection the part Of the United States which
II seems TO imply.
This obligation of protection was afterward
modified by the Senate. which then ratified the
treaty: this In turn, was accepted by the Samoan
chief The final treaty signed on January 7,
1873 and the notifications exchanged on February
10 by which the right 10 establish at Page Page
a station for coang, naval supplies, freedom OF
trade, commercial treatment favored nation
and extraterritorial consular Jurisdiction were Sc
cured to the United States The extension or
United States control over the entire island. ac,
cordng to the plan proposed by Germany and
Great Britain, would consummate the wishes exS
pressed by the chief OF The Island IN the d.ari 81
and thus bring the people OF the island into closer
relations with this Government, for which they
Commercially as already Indicated, the island Is
extremely important In Its relation TO transporta,
ton between the United States and Asia and
Oceanica, though unmportant as TO local produc-
ton or consumption the entire importation Of the
samoan group being but 10000 annually the bulk
coming from the Australian colonies, the nearest
sources OF supply. while the United states and
Germany divide about equally the remainder OF
The port Of Page Page was. shortly after the
treaty. surveyed by the United States Government
In considering the value OF Tutuila and its harbor
of Page Page. 1t is proper to add that the ga.
moan naval disaster Of isSs IN which number d,n OF
occurred In roadstead OF Apia. on the Island OF
Upolu and not In the landlocked and well pro-
tected harbor OF Page Page.