Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-12
Invited to the Fins-Raisins.

This ceremony being OYER they then pro-
ceeded to business. Capt. Tilley, through an
interpreter, informed them Of the Presi-
dents proclamation. and briefly outlined to
them the policy he intended to pursue, and
invited them to attend the 1ag-raising IN
Pago-Pago on the 18th of the month.
According to Samoan custom the king
said they could not agree to anything until
they had gotten all the light on it that they
could. He asked for information so it could
be laid before his people and discussed be-
fore coming to a conclusion.
THE captain informed him that this was
the agreement arrived at by the three great
powers that had governed Samoa. and that
il was necessary for the peace and pros
perity of the islands. Besides small COM
munity like theirs needed. the friendship of
powerful nation to protect it from other
nations and interruptions people. He did
not intend to interfere with their laws and
customs. they were getting along so
well and were so well contented They
could administer their local affairs usual:
but would have to acknowledge a general
allegiance to the United States The meet
ing broke up without any conclusion being
arrived at, and we returned to the ship.
In the afternoon. the queen and good
many people visited the ship.
Acknowledged American Sovereignty.
About o'clock in the evening the cap
tain and some officers went ashore. When
the king and chiefs assembled again they
agreed to acknowledge the sovereignty of
the United States. They said they did not
want any change in their local affairs
rulers. to which proposition the captain
readily aSSented.
I'VE returned to ship about 10 o'clock.
Chief Tufeie and his crew displayed great
skill in taking the boat out through the
surf and narrow passage stern first and
steering from the stern. The next morning
We took aboard about 100 of the natives
who wanted to be present at the flagrais-
ing. and, about 8 o'clock we weighed an
Choir and started for Pago-Pago, arriving
there about pm
No Changes In Local Government.
Commander Tilley said that he felt very
much gratifled of the days work. "Manua,'
he says ''is a beautiful and prosperous
island. 1t is in most happy and peaceful
state and Is well governed. The people are
all processing Christians. No changes in
the local government of the island will be
necessary. 1t could not be better. but the
protection of the United States will give it
security.
The tut manua Cking) of Manua is the
riShtful heir to the office, his father having
died as king. The present tut manua has
been educated by the London Missionary
Society and Is man of very strong char
acter and enlightened mind He is earn
est Christian. and was for many years one
of the native teachers of the missionary so
ciety. The Island of Manua will give our
government very little trouble and 1t is
most fortunate that it has such a desirable
ruler as the present tut manua
Il sailed from Manua on the following
morning for Pago-Pago. taking with me
about one hundred of the natives. who had
accepted my invitation to participate in the
ceremonies attending the hoisting of the
American flag
FlnS-RnisinE MT PngO-PagO.
In accordance with the program. the
American flag was hoisted on the naval sta
sion. Pago-Pago. April II. at 10 o'clock 6. H.
with Impressive ceremonies. The exercises
opened with the reading of the Presidents
proclamation and the general order of the
Navy Department. followed by the presen-
tatiOn OF an address by the Samoan people
of Tutuaa- Appropriate religious exercises
were then conducted by Rev E. V. Cooper
of the London Missionary Society and by
Father Meenaidier of the Roman Catholic
Mission at Tutuila. Commander Tiiley then
made formal declarations Of the sovereignty
and protection Of the United States over the
island. and hoisted the American flag dur
ing which ceremony America" was sung
by the teacher and pupils of the London
Missionary Society, followed by national
saiutes. fired by the United States steamer
Aoarenda and the German cruiser Cormo-
ran; me exercises closed with an address
by Consul General l.. w. Osborn
Ceremonies of the Native..
In the afternoon" says Commander TIL
icJb LILO natives gave several 'taalOlOS' n
me. The taalolo is a ceremony which in
dlcates that those participating acknowl-
edge the authority and promise allegiance to
the person to whom 1t Is given 1t consists
of a procession passing before the ruler
and each native dressed In his aboriginal
costume presents to the ruler some pres
ent of food such as chicken, Dig. fruit
etc.
THE other exercises lasted until the even
ing OF the 18th instant. Nearly the whole
population of Tutuia was present and mar
ticipated in the exercises and sports They
showed great enthusiasm, and l think 1t is
most gratifying to these people that the
United States has taken charge, of the ISL
and. l treated with the greatest re-
spect by the natives
The German cruiser Cormoran came
down from Apia to be present at the cere-
monies. Governor Solf. the German gov
ernor of Samoa and all the officials of The
Cormoran attended the exercises on shore"
Address of the Chiefs
Inc address or the chiefs of the islands
is unique and impressive document In
part it is as follows:
"Sautations:
I've desire to make known with the
greatest respect to your susuga and his
afioga. the President of the Nnited States
of America, we are now exceedingly CRATE
full to the great powers for the care and
protection In tnlS country in mast
days. We will continue thus to be
thankful. We rejoice with our whole hearts
on account of the tidings we have received:
the conventions of the great powers con-
corning Samoa are ended. Their declara
lions are thus: Only the government of the
United States Of America shall rule in
Tutuila End Manua; other foreign govern
mentS shall not again have authority there
We give great thanks to the great powers
for that result. That declaration is ac-
cepted by us with glad hearts.
Now therefore. let your susuga know
and let also his afioga, the President of the
United States of America, know. and let ali
the nations of the earth know and all pao-
pie dwelling therein. that in order to set
aside all possible doubts in the future con-
corning our true desire at this time on oc-
count Of the rule of the United States Of
America in Tutuila and Manua, we now,
rightly appointed according to the customs
of Samoa to be the representatives ST all
the different districts in Tutuila, We do
confirm all the things done by the great
powers for Tutuia We do also cede and
transfer to the government of the United
ap ySI.