Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-03
NATIVES ARE GLAD
Samoans Pleased at Being Under the
American Flag.
ANBNGLISH MISSIONARIES
Taking Up the White Mans Bur-
den in the South Seas.
COMMANDERT ILLEY PRAISED

The Secretary of the Navy has received
the following interesting letter from Rev.
i. V. Cooper, resident missionary for Tu-
tuila and the Manua group of the London
Missionary Society. at Pagalele. Samoa:
81 feel sure you will not take II amiss II
j venture to write you to express both my
qualification and my gratitude, not merely
with the fact, but with the manner, In
which these islands of Tutuila and the
Manua group have recently been officially
taken into the sphere and under the pro-
lection of your government.
LAS the resident English missionary on
Tutuila, having had for some years past
the entire oversight of the religious and
educational work on Tutuila and the three
islands of the Manua group. am, perhaps,
in a better position to gauge and express
the feelings OF the islanders on the changes
made and being made than any other for
eigner resident in these islands. OF the
5000 population. more less. of these
islands. now under your benign flag. have
Intimate dealings with over 5000. and am In
close touch with their ideas.
Natives Pleased.
81 have no sort of hesitation in saying
that the native populations are more than
satisfied to find themselves under the benef-
cent protection of your government. and
permanently attached to your people. 1t
must be very gratifying. II not fattering.
to know that the natives have received
your flag heartily, and are showing
themselves content to be led and instructed
in matters Of internal rule and order by
those who from time to time may be ap-
pointed TO act az governors over these
islands. of which your new naval station is
the center.
Yet not merely as the missionary of
five-sixths OF the islanders of eastern Sa-
moa now under your care. but as Brit
fsher representing British missionary
ciety. to which all Samoa owes its evan
geiizing and its enlightenment it is sin
cere pleasure to me to express my personal
gratitude and satisfaction that your people
and government have become definitely and
Intimately allied with these islands and
their people. That connection cannot but
make for the betterment and progress Of
the Islands and the islanders alike.
Work of Enlightenment
When it is remembered that the govern
ment of the United States through its rep
re>entatiVe. Commander b. F. Tilley is
NOW pr"mulgating law and establishing
order ON a firm, humane and enlightened
basis for the first time in the history of
missionary enterprise in these islands. there
Is 4 reason for the deepest satisfaction on
cur part. and ii must he equally gratifying
10 Your government and people to be able
To- help these islanders to better circum-
o.
gether peaceably and progressively. while
you are securing great advantages of a
political character to meet your growing
needs and the ever-increasing influence Of
your people in the waters and on the shores
Of his great Pacific.
Commander TfIIey Praised
With an experience in these seas of near
" twenty years, and closely identified with
the Society and Austral islands in Eastern
Polynesia, up TO the time of their annexa-
ton by the French, knowing how difficult
IT has often turned out to be to treat with
native races, and especially where their
Independence has been at stake. / may per
hspS he permitted to say a word out of nv
own heart concerning Commander Tilley. L
cannot conceive Of your finding a better
man To represent your government in such
delicate and difficult matters as must al
ways be associated with the task of an
neN!ng than Commander Tilley. His kindly
naJur~ and tactfulness. his approachable
hess and admirable patience. and his desire
y De alike Just and firm. have had not a
little To do in easing the difficult task of
superseding the old order of things among
a proud and conservative people and sue
e-ssfuily setting up newly organized body
o. officials. who will work under the imTne-
cfate supreme control and direction of the
commandant of your naval station. Com
nlander T1lley has done a great deal in Il
short time. and has done it well and quietly
He has made many friends and he has
Won great respect. Indeed / have heard
remain for long time to come in the po-
sitton = governor over eastern Samoa
Religion and Education
WITHOUT unduly trespassing upon your
time. may commend our religious and ed
ucstioral work to the consideration of your
government and the Department of the
Navy under which these islands are placed
As l have already said more than five
sixth< NJ these islanders now under YOUR
Gag are Protestant Christians They are on
the whole very loyal to our English mis-
Sion. which has wrought for all Samoa
now just on seventy years. our mission be-
Ing the pioneer mission TO Samoa as it was
10 the South Pacific generally. We have
gwen 10 these Islanders not only Il re-
HglOuS literature. but we have given them
an educational literature. at great cost
OF time and expenditure. We have sys-
tenn or education extending from village
schools To a fairly high class school and il
viii be our endeayor to develop and foster
this educational work as far as we are
ahie But. as you may well imagine the
expenditure of our mission is far beyond
Vhat the natives voluntarily contribute
That X nothing. however. If we can ONLY
succeed in assisting these islanders to high
er Ideals when they shall seek good for its
own sake.
We trust that these natives may realize
that they are now in touch with great
people. and respond TO every endeayor
put forth IN their behalf 10 fit them for
new and useful destiny. All We ask from
your government is a kindly consideration