The Irish standard., 1901-11-23
community was an elevating and re-


in fashion which would be worthy
example to the other nations of the
world. I went among the natives, and
all seemed peaceful and contented
leading their quiet lives much in the
fashion Of their forefathers, save that
the missionaries have long since Chris
tanned all the people, and wars and
runors of wars seem now to be ended.
But after l became better acquaint.
ed with the people, both white and
Samoan, the veil was lifted, and 1 saw
misery and shame. Slowly the dread
full story was revealed, piece by piece,
now from the lips of Samoan and
then confirmed by white man. Day
by day added fresh testimony to the
case, and 1 learned to my shame and
sorrow that American rule in Samoa
has been thus far curse rather than
blessing. No one had dared to ten
the story.
The American papers have been
filled with false reports and mislead,
ing articles. Our beneficent rule in
Samoa is sham and disgrace and
the man who is held responsible for
it is the commander (now captain) Of
the Abarenda, now on a three months
leave of absence in America. The
American government has made this
man supreme ruler Of our new posses
sion. He has made the laws and exc
cuted them. He has vested in himself
the legislative, executive and judicial
branches of the government. he Is
the supreme judge, as well as supreme
lawmaker. From his decisions there
is no visible mode of appeal.
1t may be argued by some persons
that such an anomalous state of nf-
fairs, SO abhorrent to both the letter
and the spirit Of republicanism, is a
necessary evil in the taking over Of a
new country before congress has pro-
vided suitable form Of government.
Those who advance this excuse, how
ever, will be forced to add that such
an autocratic rule would be extremely
dangerous unless Entrusted to man
of high character, Of unquestioned mo-
rails, and Of firmness and justice in
dealing with his subjects. In such a
system of government gross and con-
tinucd debauchery would be an intol-
cradle evil, when countenanced by the
ruler. 1t is only too we'll known that
the native races are swept as by a pes
thence when corrupted by the vices of
civilization.
l saw with indignation the natives
of Tahiti systematically debauched by
the French naval officers. 1 saw the
boats Of the big French cruiser, the
Protc, carrying off loads of native
women to take part in Il drunken revel
for the entertainment Of the commo-
dorc. I was in Tahiti when the Prote
went on n cruise around the island,
stopping at village after village and
holding Bacchnnalian orgies. And in
my foolish pride, said that no officer
in the American navy could be guilty
Nf such shameless conduct. When the
cscapadcs of the commander were re-
lated to me by one person after an
other. when the sckening details were
confirmed by every person with whom
talked ON the subject, I was forced
to admit that the commodore Of the
Prote had rival.
When I heard of his drunken revels
in Apia, of his riding Intoxicated
through the streets of the town with n
notorious native woman sitting astride
the same horse, Of his carouses in
Pango Pango, of the corruption, not Of
one or two, but of many native girls
In the little community over which he
ruled, I concluded that, as an Ameri-
can citizen with some respect and
pride in the official conduct of it's rep
reseltatives my silence would be cow
ardly and unworthy.
When these reports first came to me
1 was incrcdulous. "Surely the Ameri-
can consul Mt Apia must know of this,
IL it be truer' I exclaimed
at is known to every child ON the
Apia and Pango Pango beach," was
the reply.
"rhcn why does not the consul re-
41 o,,A1,
ton?' I asked.
"Hc is friend Of the commander"
was the reply, "and, besides, you know
the consul's son was the commanders
guest when the Abarenda last went to
Auckland"
"Then why has not some one re-
ported the matter from pango Pan
%o?" l persisted.
because no one would dare to do
So was the reply.
Again looking over the laws Of TIL
tuila | could readily understand that
no resident Of Pango Pango would
dare to make this exposure. 1t is evil
dent that no one could live under such
a dictator as this and be sure Of life,
liberty and the pursuit. Of happiness,
after having told the truth about ex-
listing conditions.
The statements have made do not
half reveal the sin of the American
rule at Tutuila. The charges are grave