The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-10-11

reached they sent a second conference
to the Governor telling him that 1t
was impossible for them to agree. They
expressed themselves willing to abide
by any arrangement which he suggest
ed, feeling that their rights would be
protected. He finally consented and
the affair was arranged If not to the
entire satisfaction of the traders, at
least to the Samoans.
After an interesting visit on board
the Adams, we returned to the SonOma:
The way back to the ship was light
ed up by faring torches on the boats,
which were gliding here and there over
the inkv waters, and we had glimpses
of the frowning cliffs, dark and mys-
FERROUS, which hemmed US in, with the
snow white frigate birds, startled from
their sleep, flying about their nests.
Returning later, we made Page Pago
at ; o 'clock--a cloudless. burning,
tropical morning. By daylight we had
a full view of the steep, dark cliffs,
the narrow stretch of level land at
their base, where are clustered the few
foreign houses and matched huts of
the natives. The barracks for the
native constabulary were within the do
s0ldiery off duty lolling about the YER
anda at their ease. Their costume was
tasteful and suitable in the extreme,
but one thought it would be instantly
tabooed by certain reformers in the
United States, did they but know what /!
it was and was not
It consisted simply of a dark blue |
lava-lava, skirt, or drapery, extend !
ing from the waist to the knee, with /
two narrow scarlet stripes above the /
hem. The feet were bare, as were /
the splendid bronze torsos, the head |
covered by a gracefully knotted scarlet
'kerchief, harmonizing with the scarlet
stripes of the lava-lava. Stalwart,
huge of stature, they walked with
swinging stride, their superb bodies
free and unhampered by the clothes
Of civilization.
The premises of the naval station,
in their entirety, were in that spick
and span state of order and tidiness
of the United States
naval stations and army garrisons
No litter of any sort lay
about. no disused bales or parcels,
giving one an idea of what could be
lone to clean up our American cities
could they be taken out of politics
ind handed over to the naval or mill
AIRY authorities-the only sort of con-
roll under our triumphant democracy
hat really controls.
A broad sloping path, well graded,
md bordered by beautiful tropical
hrubs, led to the Governors residence,
fine, modern house upon a 5utting
commanding a magnificent {
lew of the bay and the environing
With its polished hard
Food floors, wide verandas, and per-
ect ventilation. it has been admirably
tanned. The Samoans have been con-
erted to Christianity by the mission {
those of the London Mis- ]
ionary Society, which has large schools
nd missions on Tutuila. At night
all the families gather in their huts
or prayers and hymn-singing, and as g
O two families select the same tune, :
he effect is more easily imagined than r
escribed. J
The converts have adopted the clothes
civilization, at least for their church :
Ding, girls and women wearing the :
oloku invented by the New England 7
issionaries in Hawaii flowing skirt =
ttached to a close fitting yoke. It is
aid that when on their way to church,
ad in their best, carrying their Bibles
arefully wrapped in spotless white
1cket handkerchiefs, the interchange !,
greetings, shouted back and forth r
etween the converts of both sexes, q
ould hardly pass in polite society ST
1 indication that, although professed- o,
Christianized, they are still in effect G.
ne children of nature. a
A young officer had been relieved, tt
Id was to return to San Francisco
it'll his family. He had been a great
vorite with the natives, and as a fl
ibute to his many excellencies they W
a chant in the Samoan Ian fl
lage, expressing their affection, re- -
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