The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-31
FROM FAR SAMOA.
dwelling ola Monument to American
Dead an Impressive Ceremony.

Washington, Aug. 31.-The navy de-
partment has received an interesting let
ter from Commander B. F. Tiiley, COM
manding the United States naval station
at Tutuila, describing the promising con-
ditions in the American section of the
Samoan islands and recounting the i'm
pressive ceremonies attending the I'M
yelling of monument to the American
and English dead who fell in the shore
engagement there in July, 1899. OF the
conditions, Commander Tilley says:
II am glad to report that everything
connected with the new government is
progressing in a most satisfactory man
uer in all the islands. The natives show
much interest in the new methods OF
government and they are striving to
learn and to comply with my wishes The
general condition of the people could not
be more satisfactory. They are quiet
everywhere and are improving their
roads, clearing up their villages and their
surroundings and planting their gardens
and plantations. Prosperity for the ISL
ands seems fully assured
THE enrolment of a force of SamoanS
for service in the islands has done away
with the necessity of having an armed
force of our own on shore and viii win
the natives to loyalty and allegiance to
the government of the United States
During the past month have visited
all parts of the islands and have found
everything in a very satisfactory state"
Regarding the monument in question,
Commander Tilley says the unwilling
took place at Mulinum in Apia, on July
2s.
The officers and men of the Philadel-
phia contributed literally for the ex-
pense of purchasing the memorial stone
and officers and men of several British
ships likewise contributed. The stone,
which is large and imposing, weighing
p tons, was obtained at Sydney. 1t was
brought to Apia by r. NJ. s. Pylades,
Commander Topper, and put in place
by the officers and men Of that ship. The
monument is situated IN lot not far from
xyfoxx
The land has been given in fee to the
British and United States governments.
a handsome iron fence with stone foun-
dation surrounds the plot. Tt is part of
the conditions of the deed that the Ger
man government shall cause the pros
pect to be kept open to the sea- No
building of any kind shall be erected be-
tween the lot and the ocean.
The land is given in lieu of ground
where the bodies of the men were orig
inally inferred
Commander Tilley has sanctioned the
disinterment of the bodies of our men
and similar action was taken by Com
mander Topper. The lot is situated not
far from the dwelling house of the gov
ernor.
Commanders Tilley and Upper had re-
quested Governor Solfe, representing the
German government, to unveil the mon
ument. The governor made short adj
dress, then drew aside the American and
English flags disclosing the memorial
stone to view. The governor and others
had brought numerous wreaths of flow
ers and placed them on the monument
Among these wreaths was one from
Mataafa with short note.
Commander Tflley says:
II feel confident that 1T will be graft
flying to the department and to all the
friends of the officers and men to whom
this memorial is erected, to know that
everything possible has been done to
show respect to their memory. The cere-
mony was attended by all the German
officers in uniform and by nearly every
resident of Apia. In his address before
the unwilling Governor Soife gave as
surances for his government that the