Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-14
The Tripartite Agreement.

ut is not the purpose of the writer to
enter into the many differences between the
representatives of the tripartite govern
ment and the constantly occurring petty
wars between the native factions. Suffice
II to say that these matters resulted In
1899 in the appointment of high commits
sion of the powers concerned, which finally
decided upon a division of the territory.
Great Britain, in return for concessions In
the Tonga group, reiinquShed her share
TO Germany, which, therefore. was award
ed by far the greater portion-i. e., all
those islands lying west of the list degree
of west longitude, the United States taking
one lying east of the same meridian. This
country had since 1878 possessed treaty
rights to-the principal harbor, that of Page
Page, which nearly sewers the Island OF
Tutuila. In fact, for some years 1t had had
a coal pile there and at the time of the
appointment of a high commission, had be-
gun to establish coal sheds and wharf or
substantial character.
ION the 18th day of April, 1900. the
United States flag was formally raised on
the Island of Tutuila and government as
sumed over that part of the group now
recognized as American Samoa. Coming,
as il did, so soon after our occupation or
the Philippines, and at time when our
military and naval activities were large,
this incident received comparatively little
notice here. In Tutuila, however, 1t was
naturally a great event. Pago Page bay
became a very active center the shores and
shallow waters became dotted as never be-
fore with the small boats of the people of
more distant settlements, and the capacity
of the houses of the surrounding villages
was strained to the utmost. The popula-
ton was highly pleased with the change
of government speeches were made by
prominent natives al the fag-raising cere-
monies, and a paper, signed by all the prin-
cipal chiefs, was handed to the naval gov
ernor expressing satisfaction thereat, and
f,,pr rlir
was a general celebration afterward, con-
sisting of feasting and games of all sorts
known to the natives and of many more
introduced by the officers of the naval sta.
ton ship having that part of the entertain
ment In charge.
THE islands called Tau, Ofu and Olosega,
lying some seventy miles east of Tutuila,
have a combined area somewhat less than
the latter, and are generally designated un-
der the group name of Manua.
Native Products.
THE native products are cocoanuts.
bananas. mangoes taro, vans and bread
fruit OF these, cocoanuts in the form of
copra, practically the only export.
Cacao grows well, but has not, so far. been
planted to any considerable extent on the
American islands. Owing to the small
area available for cultivation, it is unlike
ly that many white planters will be at
tracted to settle. Laws established by the
three treaty powers, and since upheld by
the naval governor, tend further to restrict
the immigration Of the white man. These
laws were drawn with the purpose of pre-
venting the alienation OF lands from the
native owners. No foreigner is allowed to
purchase real estate from the Samoans
so the only property on the market is that
acquired from them previous to the insti-
tuition of the law. Various schemes have
been tried, however to gain valuable land
the most successful being that of marriage
into native family The law does pro-
vide for the lease of land and the limit of
selves do little planting. Cocoanuts bread
frult and taro require no attention, and a
few hours of each week spent in the taro
and tobacco patches suffice both for the
necessities and for luxury. So the life is,
on the whole one of idleness. the people
being much more Intent upon the organiZa-
ton OF excursions to other villages where
the whole party lives for days upon the
bounty of friends than upon enrfching
themselves by manual work. This IS OF
course, principally due to the eneryating
climate, but largely also to the communistic
method OF life. the earnings OF the indi-
vldual going into the common fund of the
family, which does not necessarily consist
or blood relatives. large family with a
good name Is power, and adoptions are
OFTEN made into 1t for purposes of strength
Labor Scarce.
Despite the attractions of some foreign
importatfons, such as cloths and canned
goods, 1t Is difficult and at times almost
impossible to secure native laborers even
at the rate of 81 for eight hours BY deal
ing with the high chiefs it is possible to get
gang for six days engagement, changing
% a new crowd from a different village for
the ensuing week. Even then the work is
most indifferent, and the accomplishment
for the latter half of the time sadly be-
low that at the beginning. Some petty
chiefs usually come in a gang and seem
to hold 1t privilege to draw pay while
doing little or no work. Strikes have been
had, too, and though organized labor is apt
10 De looked upon as more or less of a
civilized institution, advancing in mower
with the times, it is saSS to say that no
American trade union ever held its men