New-York tribune., 1900-05-21

recognition
from the people of the islands Of Tutuila and
Manua of United States sovereignty all the
Samoan islands east Of the Hist meridian, ceded
by the joint treaty of December 2 1899. BY this
treaty Great Britain withdrew from the group,
Germany secured Upolu and savau and the United
States given jurisdiction Tututla, Manua.
Ofoo, OIoosinga and Rose islands, the last three
being small and uuimportant-
contract for the erection OF steel pier in Pago
Pago Harbor. connecting with steel shed Of
10000 tons capacity shore at Swimming Point,
cost about s20000o had been signed September L.
1898, by Admiral Bradford, and April o5 last
year the naval collier Abarenda left Hampton
Roads with most OF the material on board. She
also took a huge Flagstaff upon the chance of hav-
ing to raise IT, and several dwellings and other
necessaries for the establishment of a permanent
settlement She arrived at Pago Pago August TO-
and Captain B. F. Tilley after purchasing from the
native chiefs the land required for station at
cost of $780, proceeded Hand his cargo and
prosecute the work. vroia
voyage had to be made to Auckland for extra
humber. AT last accounts the pIer and sheds were
progressing rapidly the officers OF the vessel had
marked the most important rocks and shoals of the
harbor entrance by buoys and the approaches to
the island had been thoroughly surveyed.
INFORMING THE CHIEFS
Before the voyage to Auckland Captain T1ley,
VINO mad been to Apia for day two IN the
Abarenda, there learned from the Germans of the
agreement 10 divide the islands between GERMANY
and the United States. He noticed Indications of
possible disturbances among the natives particrI-
larly on Tutuila between the rival chiefs After
some elaboration he wrote and sent letter on De-
cember s, 1892 TO the High Chief Monga telling OF
the change in government and asking the chiefs
TO inform all the natives Of IT and to keep order
captain Tilley, when he returned 70 Pago Pago,
FEBRUARY T. found the natives all at work se+is-
fed that the United States would protect them
or punish them deserved. The contractors had
all the good native labor they wanted at a dollar
day and everybody was in splendid health.
COMPLETING THE PACIFIC CONQUEST
These conditions continued until a month o
when under authority from Washington C-an+atn
Tilley was permitted to complete his pacific con-
quest OF the new possessions After the ratification
OF the Samoan treaty the President issued an ex
ecutive order. placing the islands under the CON
troll of the Department Of the Navy for a naval
station The Navy Department decided to regard
Ile lslahds as embraced within a navy yard and
to be governed by the ordinary regulations in vogue
IN such q station that at New-York or Boston
On February II instructions were sent IN Cantaip
IlIIey by Acting Secretary Allen appointing him
commandant OF the naval station Of TutIIila,'
and approving all he had done. The Department
relied upon him TO establish "a simple straight
forward method of administration such as n win
the confidence of the people"
The result Of these instructions. which were
acted upon with astonishing promptness. reached
the Navy Department this week in several highly
interesting orlclal reports from Tutuia.
CAPTAIN TILLEY's REPORT
In the first Of these Captain Tuev after
acknowledging the Departments letter of Febru-
ary H. which he says received on April l.
while he was al Apia with the Abarenda con-
tinues:
I decided al once to hoist the American flag At
Pago Pago, Tututla, the 18th inst. and de-
string that there should be appropriate ceremonies
upon the occasion. I issued. through our Consult
General invitations TO all the prominent officials in
On the Sth inst 7 proceeded to Pago Pago
with the Abarenda. and immediately commenced
desirable to have the natives Of tbe isIanS ~
Aanua participate in the ceremony proceeded to
ing with all the high Chiefs Of Turua for qhe
Purpos5e OF extending TO the people of Manua
Immediately upon my arrival I sent a letter to
the Tui Manua king, requesting meeting of the
chiefs on the following day. as I had something
~ ls. 70 CoInIltl!cAte 70 Lnerr received
phono appointed for the following day March
by most Of the officers Of the Abarenda and Con-
sul+tdeneral T - l. W Osborn, BORN OF Apia whom I had
conducted win great ceremony, and before any
up with drinking kava. Finally ready for
business, and the TUT Manua addressed
e9urteously' giving me hearty welcome 10
Manua ~ handed an him copy Soo OF the Presidents @
the United States had assumed the sovereignty
and protection of the Islands Of the Samoan group
n accent The new; government and 70 eo-5nersta ar m
with me, and pointing out the many advantages to
them which would result The phono lasted until
7 would meet them again in the evening. I urged
them TO consider the matter carefully among them
selves. and give a reply their inten-
tions at the evening phono. After this left them
board ship The evening session of
the phono was opened with prayers and singing,
the TUT Manua himself leading in the religious x
arcises Immediately after the prayers the Tui
Manua handed a letter accepting gracefully for
himself the chiefs the people the sovereignty
and protection of United States OF America for
the island Manua. / felt much grattied with
the result Of the days work
Manua is beautiful and prosperous island. II
Is in most happy and peaceful state, and is well
governed. The people all protesting Chris
tians No,chanees in the local government OF the
island will be necessary It could not be better.
but the protection OF the United States will give
II security.