The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-08-10
Fiji Fiji ARE
FINE SOLDIERS
tFrom sunday,s Advertiser.l


Orders to proceed to San Francisco
after finishing coaling at Honolulu and
making a special trip to Hilo, were re-
ceived aboard the U. S. cruiser st.
Louis yesterday morning shortly after
her arrival from Samoa. The cruiser
was originally intended to go back to
Bremerton. The rumor that the st.
Louis would be attached to the Pa
cific fleet which is due here next month
has no foundation, as the st. Louis is
on a special cruise, practice cruise
the officers term it, and she has been
out a long time already.
According to the executive officer,
the st. Louis had smooth voyage
down and back, passing Suva, and
spending a short time at Pago Page
in the American portion of the Sa-
moan archipelago. There were no
deaths or accidents to speak of during
the trip. Lieut.. -Comdr. Guise, of the
station gunboat Annapolis at Pago
Pago, died bfore the st. Louis arrived
there.
The officers speak in the highest
terms of the company of Samoans or.
gained into what is known as the
Fiji Fiji, or local garrison. The men
are selected from among the Samoan
chiefs, who hold their positions dur
ing good behavior. Bad behavior for
feits their place in the ranks. They
are clothed in red turbans, blue loin
cloths and very short skirt. They
carry the regulations American rife
and are expert in the manual of arms,
and in fact in any of the maneuvers
or drill required of all troops in the
service of Uncle Sam. They are paid
at the rate of about $1S per month
and are commanded by American naval
officers. They are picturesque body
men, and have been in the service
for several years.
The officers report that the volcano
on the island of Savaii is still in ac-
tive eruption and belching forth lava
at n terrific rate The volcano has
steadily poured out lava for several
years and is forcing it far out into
1he sea.
Officers also report that American
rule in Samoa is popular.
The st. Louis brought six iron bound
boxes containing $4,000 in gold, cur
rency and silver, consigned to the
local postoflice, representing surplus
money orders issued from Pago Page,
and is the first remittance since May
!. The boxes were sent to the First
National Bank under guard and the
collections will be reported to Wash
ington by U. s. Inspector Hare.
There is talk of the cruiser, on leav-
ing Honolulu, steaming to San Fran
cisco at full speed in order that the
engines may be given the hardest of
tests.
The officers were entertained both
in Fiji and Samoa. AT Suva they were
entertained by the British governor
of the island of Fiji. The postal card
summaries of the trip from Honolulu
to Samoa and return are interesting
On July 5 a salute of 81 guns was fired
at noon, and boxing and other athletic
events We're held on the quarter deck
and forecastle in the afternoon.
On July the crew found the wealth
,er warming up and the following day
squalls Were encountered. On July
Davy Jones boarded the cruiser and
Informed the captain that Neptune
would come on board the following day
when the vessel arrived at the Equator
and all landlubbers were served witt
notice that they would be initiated. A
. a. m. the following day Neptune ani
suite came aboard and were received
cordially by the captain and initia
tions followed. Sidney Island was
sighted on July 10. On July Is thu
st. Louis dropped anchor off Suva ant
on July 10 the cruisers baseball team
had a game on the cricket grounds, /;
party of officers going to Bau the fol
lowing day. On July 81 the captain
and wardroom officers gave a dinner TO
citizens of Suva. A salute of II gun
was fred in honor of the British gov
ernor. A smoke concert was given l,
the evening for the crew by Englisl
residents. On July "a the st. Loui
arrived at Page Page.
On July % the st. Louis started fo
Honolulu. j