The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-01
PROSPERITY in SAMOA
NATIVES OF TUTUILA BENEFITED BY
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.
A Tractable People Who Are Striving
to Learn - Monument to- Ma
rines Who Fell in Battle.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31-The Navy De-
partment has received an interesting let
ter from Commander B. F. Tilley, of the
United States naval station at Tutuila, de-
scribing the promising conditions in the
American section of the Somoan islands
and recounting the impressive ceremonies
attending the unwilling 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 pro-
all the islands. The natives show much
interest in the new methods of govern
ment and they are striving to learn and to
comply with my wishes. The general con-
dition OF the people could not be more sat
isfactory They are quiet everywhere and
are improving their roads, cleaning up
their villages and their surroundings and
planting their gardens and plantations.
Prosperity for the islands seems fully as
sured. The enrolment of a force of Sa-
means for service in the islands has done
away with the necessity of having an
armed force of our own on shore. and will
win the natives to loyalty and allegiance
to the government of the United States.
During the past month 1 have visited all
parts of the islands and have found every
thing I'm a very satisfactory state"
degrading the monument in question,
Commander Tilley says the unwilling took
place at Mulinuu, in Apia. on July %. The
officers and men of the Philadelphia con-
tributed literally for the expense of pur-
chasing the memorial stone, and officers
and men of several British ships likewise
contributed. The stone, which is large and
imposing, weighing twenty-five tons, was
obtained at Sidney. 1t was brought to
Apia by III. 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 the ocean,
commanding a beautiful view. The land
has been given in fee to the British and
United States government. A handsome
iron fence with stone foundation surrounds
the plot. 1t is a part of the conditions of
the deed that the German government shall
cause the prospect to he kept open to the
sea. No building of any kind shall be
erected between the lot and the ocean
The land is given in lieu of ground where
the bodies of the men were originally in
TERED. Commander Tilley has sanctioned
the disinterment of the bodies of our men,
and similar action was taken by Com
mander Tupper. The lot is situated not far
from the dwelling house of the Governor.
Commanders Tilley and Upper had re-
uuested Governor SOL. representing the
German government. 10 unveil the monu-
.ocnt. The Governor made a short address,
then drew aside the American and English
flags, disclosing the memorial stone to
view. The Governor and others HAD
brought numerous wreaths of flowers and
placed them on the monument. Amongst
these wreaths was one from Mataafa with
a short note.
Commander Tiley says: 81 feel confident
that it VIII be gratifying to the depart
ment and to all the friends of the officers
and meri to whom this memorial is erected
10 know that everything possible has been
done tn show respect to their memory.
The ceremony was attended by all the
German officers in uniform and by nearly
every resident of Apia. In his address be-
tore the unwilling Governor Solf gave as
surances for his government that the MEM
orial would be guarded and cared for per-
petually''
The names of Lansdale and Monaghan
head the list of the American dead: those
OF Freeman and Long of the English. and
the simple inscription KILLED in Action.
April. 1859" tells the story of their patriotic
devotion TO duty.