The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-14
THE NATIVES OF SAMOA.
Their Progress Toward Our Ideal
of Civilization Is Very Slow.
From Fortnightly Review

From Fortnightly Review
samoa may be likened to a caldron in
which several conflicting elements
seethe and strive for mastery. This
mas been the normal condition of the
islands since they became known 10
the civilized world. During the past
few years there has been a reign of
outward and comparative calm, but
this is now threatened with rude ter
fnlnation. 1t would be unfair to tax
either the natives or any one of the
three protecting powers with sole re-
sponslDility for such denouement-the
natural sequence of an inappropriatc
and artificial system of government
which has only been tolerated thus
lorg because anything seemed prefer
able to changes likely to reawaken dor
mant jealousies. A crisis having arisen
Germany, as usual appeared best pre-
pared to meet it; but contrary to gem
eral expectation. she has--as ten years
ago-faltered to take full advantage of
her opportunities. Whether this hest
tation should be credited to treaty
scruples or apprehensions of foreign
opposition it would be vain to inquire
Yet at the same time it is as well to
ent at her command in Polynesian wa.
ters a naval squadron of quite unusual
strength, strangely reminiscent, both
as regards power and occasion, of the
concentration of 1888. which was in
tended to hasten Samoan annexation.
but ended only in disaster and total
wreck
Samoa is quite capable of supplying
"A i'm n 70 Of h,r
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 civil
ization"-as understood by the trader
is lamentably slow Family pride and
objection to sustained labor are the
Samoans' equivalent for caste. They
are gastronomes after fashion. but
the luXuriant Vegetation and fertility
of their lands, together with the manv
products of their prolific waters, pro-
vide every necessary for well-nour-
ished and healthful existence. For all
clothing, also, which is essential on the
score Of climate. decoration or decency,
Samoa is sufficient to the Samoans
Tonga" or fine mats. are precious
heirlooms and scarcely less valuable
in native estimation are the lava-lavas
of "saipe," the cloth made of the inner
bark of the paper mulberry tree, which,
with garlandS of berries and sweet
smelling flowers, serve as ceremonial
attire.
The latter may be deemed somewhat
scanty, but it certainly harmonlzcs
more pleasantly with the cinnamon
brown skin of a Samoa beauty than do
the gaudy caliCOes and velveteens
which have been introduced by the
traders. and whiCh-When cut after Ga
long way after) the fashions of Subur-
bizarre the peculiar objects of conSula:
and missionary benson. The unSOphis-
ticated, much bathing chief. lightly
clad during periods of unofficial life
with waistcloth and elaborate tattooing,
seems to the unprejudiced cosmo-
polite more consistent type of Virile
honesty than his cousin of the Euro
peanized beach" Strutting about in
the incongruous, ill-fitting products Of
an Aria store. For reasons such as
these, Samoa has up to the present
proved somewhat unfelicitous field
for the foreigner intent merely upon
commercial exploitation.
The white residents in Upolu-fOr that
is the only island in which they settle
except as occasional units-seldom eX-
ceed four hundred and twenty in mum,
Der. About 80 per cent. are British
subjects, English or colonial born, not
a few being beach -combers" of the
types familiar to readers Of fiction
and consequently meriting but slight
regard i'm the councils of motherland
Others have achieved more or less sue
cess as owners or managers of planta-
tions, while third and considera BILE
section share with members of other
nationalites connection with the Apia
stores. The Germans resident in Sa-
moa number only about one hundred
and twenty, but, generally speaking,
they possess greater influence and are
more lavishly blessed with the worlds
goods than their British on American
rivals. From the very beginning they |
suffered under no restriction in pro- |
curing imported labor, whereas the 9TH
er whites for many years were pro- |
hibted from equivalent rights. Thus !
during a considerable period the Ger |
mans in Samoa enjoyed a practical |
which proved the foundation |
of their export trade.