Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-02
Sovereignty Over Tutuila and Other
Samoan Islands Yielded.
REPORT OF COMMANDER FILLEY
Expansion of American Possessions
in the Pacific.
STRIN ENT REGULATIONS

Commander Tilley has transmitted to the
Navy Department from Page Page Samoa
under date of July l. an instrument of
cession," executed by chiefs of Tutula and
the United States government This docu-
ment is in the Samoan language and is
accompanied by a translation in English.
which is verified by Edwin w. Gurr of
Apia. barrister and solicitor of the supreme
court of Samoa and an attorney of the
court of the United States consulate gen.
eral for Samoa The document was signed
by the marks of the chiefs with their
seals affixed. on the 18th Of April. 1891. i'm
niediately prior to the raising of the United
States flag at the naval station at Page
Page.
CcssiOn to the United States.
1t sets forth that whereas Germany,
Great Britain and the United States of
America have recognized the sovereignty
of Samoa, and whereas because of civil
war these governments deemed 1t neces-
sary TO assume control of the legislation
of the state. and whereas on the 10th of
February, 1900. by agreements the govern
ments determined to partition the state,
and whereas Great Britain and Germany
have withdrawn all rights to the Islands
after described, and whereas for the pro-
motion of the peace and welfare of the
lishment of good government and preServa-
ton of the rights and property of the in
habitants, the chiefs, rulers and people are
DESTROYS of granting unto the United States
government full power to enact legislation
for the islands, and are further DESTROYS
of removing the disabilities that may exist
in connection Herewith and to ratify the
grant of the rule of the Islands of the
ID of April 1%u-the chiefs. as the heredi-
tary representatives of the people of tie
islands, cede and transfer to Commander
Tilley, as representative of the govern
ment of the United States of America, the
islands of Tutuila and Aunuu and all other
islands, rocks, reefs. foreshoreS and waters
lying between certain degrees of latitude
and longitude named, with the rights pos
seSsed by the chiefs to hold the territory,
to the government of the United States.
to erect the same into separate district
to be known as the district of Tutulla
Obligations of the Government.
The government shall respect and protect
the individual rights of all people to their
lands and other property, and If the gov
eminent requires lands, shall take the same
on payment of a fair consideration there
for.
The chiefs of the towns shall be entitled
to retain their individual control of the
separate towns, if that control be in ac-
cordance with the laws of the United
States concerning Tutuila, and If not OBJ
structive to the peace of the people and
to the advancement of civilization. subject
to the supervision of the government.
The instrument is signed by twenty-five
chiefs that is to say ii is signed by Leoso.
in the presence of and at the request of the
chiefs of the division of Fofo and Aitulagi,
and further signed by Pele, at the request
of the chiefs of Sua and by Vaifanua; all
this in conformity with Samoa custom.
Flag Raised Oh Rose Island.
Commander Tilley visited Rose Island on
| the 10Th of July. This is the eastern island
| of the Samoan group. Here he hoisted the
American flag with appropriate ceremonies,
| TUT Manua, King of Manua, and the lead
| ing chiefs of Manua being present. TUT
Manua made a short prayer and then de-
clared the island to be part of the territory
| of the United States.
Rose Island lies seventy miles east of
| Manua. 1t is uninhaSited and is of no
value. The island is nothing but a coral
atoll with patch of wooded land of about
! ten acres on the southern part of the reef.
There is no anchorage near it. Commander
! Tilley took soundings in every direction,
| but could not find bottom al safe dis
| lance from the reef
| IntOxicants and Arms Excluded.
| Commander Tilley has issued stringent
regulations prohibiting the importation of
| firearms, dynamite or other explosives into
the naval station at Tutuila. The natives
are not allowed TO obtain Intoxicating
! liquors. 1t is gratifying TO observe that
| Commander Tilley reports that, as far as
| he can judge the natives do not care for
| liquor. An order recently issued prohibits
| the importation of wines. beers Liquors
| into Tutuila except by permission of the
| commandment.
Commander Tilley reports that all was
| going well at the time of writing.