The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-29
THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
Native Industry Encouraged Under
Civilized Government.


Civilized Government.
Washington, June 27-Conditions in the
Samoan Islands since the transfer of Tu-
tuila and Manua TO the United States
and Savaii and Upolu to the German gov
eminent is the subject of a report by
the British consul located in the islands,
a copy of which has just been received
report is as follows:
1.-The Islands of Sevah and Upolu were
annexed by Germany on March !, 1900.
Shortly afterwards, on April II, the Unit
ed States took possession Of Tutuila and
Manua. The only export for many years
has been copra amounting to: In 1897, to
$4,000 pounds; 1898, $1,000 pounds; 1899, 3d.
600 pounds; 1900, $4,000 Copra, largely used
for the manufacture Of soap and candles,
ETC., goes to the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Russia, Italy and the United
States, principally to the United Kingdom
and Germany. One of the first acts of the
government was to protect the natives by
enforcing fair weights; they are now be-
ing encouraged to make a better article.
AT the present time, cacao is engaging
much attention here. At distance of two
or three miles from the sea, it grows all
most wild, and can be cultivated with
success everywhere in Samoa, except per
haps, on the summit of the mountains,
where the climate will probably be too
Geld. The quality is good Mr.. Carruth-
eTs' cacao fetched lately the highest
price in the London market The Cover
nor is introducing plants of the famous
Soconusoo variety from Mexico. Cacao
planting should draw the attention of
home capitalists. The great drawback is
leases from the natives for longer period
than ten years are not likely to be con-
firned, Us the government does not wish
to encourage land spectators, and refers
any applications of this kind to the Ber-
In authorities.
Coffee has been failure. Even The
hardy Liberian coffee introduced a few
years ago Is now suffering from the same
disease that destroyed the Mocha and
other varieties. Vanilla and kola prom
Sc we'll. Rubber should also succeed
Bananas and pineappies are shipped ocee-
sionally to Auckland in small quantities
but the time occupied in transit is too
long. and the fruit is often spoiled on
the voyage.
THE principal articles imported are salt
beef, in kegs and timed meats entirely
Sydney; prints, longcloth and other arti-
cles OF drapery. etc, principally from
Auckland and Sydney, although during
the last three years merchants have be-
gun to import from Hamburg many arti-
Giles formerly brought from the colonies:
kerosene oil, timed biscuits and lumber
come from San Francisco.
Commercial travellers from Auckland
and Sydney visit Samoa regularly for or
hA
by the Godeffroys, for many years estab-
lished in this group imports from Ham
burg the greatest part of the nanufac-
tured goods used in the carrying on of it's
business.
AT present the import duties are as fol-
lows: Ale, Soc per dozen quarts; spirits,
$3.50 per gallon; wine, 81 per gallon; spark
ing wine, $l.5O per gallon; tobacco, SOC
per pound; cigars. 81 per pound; sporting
arms. "a each; gunpowder, 25c per pound.
On all other articles, ad valorem. per
cent. on invoice. cost and charges. 1t is
supposed that some alterations will be
made before long in this tariff.
Storekeepers pay yearly tax of from
$2 to 800 per annum, according to the
business done. The tax on buildings "a
per cent. yearly on two-thirds of their
value; that on trades and professions is
from 50 to $50 per annum. There is an
export tax Of 21z per cent. on the value
OF copra shipped. All of the above were
imposed originally in accordance with the
Berlin treaty of 1880
The population Of German Samoa con-
sists of about 200 whites, 300 haft-castes
and 5000 natives. Imports therefore.
cannot be very large, native wants in a
climate like this being very limited; but
should planting companies be formed and
the land utilized. matters will assume a
very different aspect.
There is more protection for property
now than formerly was the case, when
the islands were under the rule OF a ma
tive sovereign. The government is rom
ciliating both parties with much success.
and at present the relations between the
natives and all foreigners are most ami
cable If rebellion should occur II would
arise out Of the disputes between the old
conflicting native factions
THE area OF Upolu Is 10000 acres; of
Savai 10000 acres; In all $4,000 acres. of
which about 1000 acres are now being
cultivated One hundred and fifty thou
sand acres have beer sold TO foreigners.
Commerce would be ncseased 20 a very
large extent should the land generally be
thrown open to Improvement by sale or
forty-year leases. The price of the land
ranges between $50 and SOS per acre. ac-
cording TO its situation and Improvements.
m AHtIicdh company ihteiy hOld several
thousand acres In blocks al from 81 to IS
per acre.
There arc several schools In Apia, Ro-
man Catholic and Protestant. In which
English services are regularly held.
The area OF Tatuila and Manaua Ia
small. perhaps $500 acres. much Of which
Is steep and mountainous. Tutuila Is sew
enty miles from Apia. -Four thousand
natives are living on Tutuila, and 1900
on Manaua. and about twenty whites and
az many haif-castes'
The imports OF tho Samoan group IN
1900 we're about $4,000 In value. ana the
exports $4,000. No details OF the 1900 COM
merce were available when the report
waa sent hut the isfo figures showed that
tho Tnitsd states held second rank IN tho
supplying the imports the figures
being From British empire go. 1911
from the United states, fis.Jt9. from Ger
many, 1884