Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-06-13
AMERICAN SAMOA
A GREAT COUNTRY
Productiveness of Soil Rem
ders Work Unnecessary.
NATIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Whisky Is Barred Out, and the Peo-
pie DON'T Want Ii, Anyway-Amer-
lean Uniforms Make Great Swells OF
the Islanders.
SAN Francisco, June I2.-Command-
er B. F. Tilley, U. S. N, governor in
Samoa. has just arrived here on leave of
absence. In discussing the conditions
there, he said:
"We have permitted the natives to
follow their own customs when they
were not pernicious. 1t was necessary
to reform their customs regulating mar
riage and divorce. The uniqueness of
the conditions and remoteness from
higher authority compelled me to act
the part of a supreme lawgiver as well
as that of an executive officer. | issued
ordinances forbidding the transfer of
real property to whites by natives and
regulating contracts between natives
and whites.
Protection of Natives.
''The ordinances were necessary for
the protection of the natives, as the
general laws of the United States do not
fit the conditions in the islands The
possessions are divided into counties,
each governed by a native officer ap-
pointed by the American commander.
This system has pleased the Samoans.
Recently the chiefs at Faga Togo off
cred the water front land to the govern.
ment at a reasonable price, and an
nounced that they would build Pres
byterian church with the money. The
London mission works among them.
All the natives are Christians, and are
seemingly religious.
Work Is Unnecessary.
''Peace was what the islanders needed.
They had been warning perpetually,
and the warfare interferred with pro-
ductiOn. The soil voluntarily yields
bread fruit, cocoanut and everything
the Samoans require to eat, aud there Is
really no reason why they should work.
It is not surprising, therefore, that they
are inclined to idleness.
"Under the American stimulus, the
product of our possessions ought to
double within year or two. The area
of plantation is increasing. Copra is
the principal production, although the
cocoa and tobacco crops are worth no.
tice. The white population of Ameri-
can Samoa is about ITO all told.
A Brave People.
"The Samoans are not permitted to
have whisky, but they do not like it,
anyway. The are brave, warlike, hos.
pitable people, quite the finest natives
have ever seen. Our government
ought, if possible, to preserve the race
from admixture. We have enlisted So
Samoans in the navy as landsmen, or
dinary seamen and petty officers. They
are kept ashore and are the military re-
source of the island. They are wonder
fully proud Of their uniforms. They
take to firearms like ducks to water and
are rapidly becoming experts in the
school of the soldier. An educated Sa.
moan, drawing SIG, $40 or $50 in Amer
lean money, is tremendous swell
among the natives. He makes a good
soldier. fighting being the Samoan's
speciality.
Value of the Islands.
81 do not think the commerce of the
islands ever will amount to great deal
The chief value of the islands to the
country is the great harbor, which is pro-
tected against hurricanes and can easily
be made secure against an enemy. Con.
gress has passed an appropriation to en-
able us TO enlarge the coal storage Ca
pacity of the harbor TO 10000 tons,
enough to coal feet
German Samoa is doing we'll under
Governor Solf, a broad-minded man.
Lieutenant Commander Borin is now
in command at Samoa"