The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-28
DIE DEU1SCHE SPRACHE|
NOW THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
OF SAMOA.
Germanizing of Samoa Has Begun.
Some of the Humorissche Features of
the Process-Incongruous Incidents.

APIA, April 1S.-The Germanizing of
Samoa has begun. There are many
evidences of it, some humorous, and
some strictly official A correspondent
in the Samoan Weekly, in the course
of humorous diatribe on the new con-
ditions, touches on this subject thus:
But spracht Deutsch is the watchword
now and l recommend my compatriots
to take the bull by the horns and go
in for die Deutsche Sprache. Next to
English it is the most perfect language
IN the world"
by Authority and Official adver-
tisements of all kinds are now publish
ed in German and some of the busi
ness houses, taking the cue, have be-
gun displaying part of their business
advertisements in the official tongue,
though they do not entirely lose their
presence of mind and business acumen,
and so have a part of each advertise
ment in the language which the people
they are trying to reach, understand.
German postage stamps have been
introduced, and the post mark on all
mail sent from here contains the
words "Kaiscrl Deutsche Post Agen-
tur."
The Samoan Weekly Herald of April
contains the following official notice,
which shows the new trend of affairs:
THE former Samoan Royal Gazette
which was continued under the Pro-
Tisional Government will now be print
ed under the title of 'Samoanisches
Gouvernements-B Blatt;' copies of which
can be obtained at the Imperial Post
Office; price one shilling"
This announcement contains one
! curiously incongruous statement, that
Of the monetary terms in which the
| price is stated. In fact monetary
terms are anomalous, and will probably
be the last ones reduced to a strictly
| German basis. Postal rates are stated
! in terms of German currency. Fines
and damages awarded in the Imperial
| German court are stated in terms of
British currency, so many pounds, shil-
I lings and pence, while beer and dry
| goods, all merchandise commodities
rates for dancing lessons. and prices of
admission to entertainments, are stat
ed in terms of United States currency,
dollars and cents.
By public notice, it is stated that be-
ginning with the first of April, the be-
ginning of the German fscal wear, all
accounts with the government must be
made out in duplicate, and if the ac-
counts are in any other than the Ger
man language, they must be- written
rlainly, without the use Of abbrevia-
| tions or expressions understood only in
Samoa.
| 10 meet thls state or aIalrS, tables
of currency giving the equivalents Of
values in the different currencies, have
| been gotten out by enterprising mon
and are widely advertised.
The GermaniZing influence of affairs
is shown in other directions, also. Grew
smuhl g. Co., one of the big firms of
| German merchants, has purchased the
auxiliary schooner "Manutagi," and
changed the name to "Mataafa" in
compliment doubtless to the staunCh
| friend of the Germans in the late trou e
! bles.
There is one thing, though, that tho
Germanizing influence has not yet
| touched. That is the patent medicine
advertisements. Chamberlain's Cough
cure, Powel's Balsam of Aniseed, and
Clarke's r Al pills, and their wonderful
curative properties, are still advertised
in English