The Ordway new era., 1910-08-19

- o LITTLE has been written Of
the Samoan islands that many
American citizens are not even
~ aware that to the United States
government belongs the finest
coaling station. at one Of the most
strategic points in the south seas.
Dating back to the early part Of the
year 1899. the two rival factions Of
Samoa, the "Tumua," or party led by
Chief Mataafa. and the Matua. or par
ty led by Chief Malietoa. held a
"fono" or mass meeting at Apia. on
the island Of Upolu.
Both Mataafa and Malietoa aspired
to the throne OF Samoa. and the OBJ
ject Of this meeting was to settle the
dispute and place the rightful king on
the throne. writes Eugene d. Park.
Jr.. yeoman, u. 8. N, In Los Angeles
Times. The decision. when rendered.
declared Malietoa to be the reigning
king of Samoa. and this decision was
upheld by the United States. Ger
many and England.
Mataafa now became hostile. and
fell back with his followers. the Tu-
mua faction. After this ensued the
engagements between the United
States. Germany and England with
Malietoa on the one side and MatAafa
and his rebels on the other.
The trouble was finally brought to
IN end and adjusted through a COM
mission sent by the three countries
and the representative from the Uni.
ted States must have been q splendid
diplomat to have secured Tutuila.
This commission conceded to Ger
many the island Of Upolu. on whose
shores the town Of Apia Is situated.
to England was given the island Of
9avaii. which Germany later gained
possession OF in exchange for her
treaty rights to Tonga. and for the
United States was obtained the
islands of Tutuila and Manua.
Whatever attraction Manua had I
do not know. but in getting posses
sion OF Tutuila the United States Sc
cured the prise grab Of Neptune's
south sea collection. for hero IL To-
Gated the navigable and land.locked
harbor Of Pago-Pago: in fact, II II
the only harbor In Samoa where .
from storms.
This harbor is commodious enough
to shelter . feet and the Pacific feet.
seven cruisers and seven torpedo
boats. rode at anchor here without
Inconvenience. Since q ship must be
allowed enough floating space to
swing completely around her anchor
with the change OF tide. It can be
plainly seen that the harbor Of Pago.
Pago 10 q valuable aid to the United
States.
A the harbor opens to view to the
eyes Of the visitor It presents a beau.
tiful aspect. one which Is simultane-
ously grand. awe-inspiring. quaint
and restful. Being completely sur
rounded by high mountains. the har-
Dor seems like the gigantic crater Of
some extinct volcano which. in its
final struggle for existence. expired
with one last rend which tore out q
narrow channel to the Pacific. allow.
ing that peaceful old mother of
oceans to sweep In and put an end
to all volcanic disturbances.
Along the entire distance around
the shore can be seen groups Of na.
tive houses. rearing themselves
hills. whose sides present the aspect
of an impenetrable Jungle.
When ashore for the first time in
Tutuila one Is both surprised and
pleased at his reception by the ma.
tives. Their hospitality seems un.
bounded. As you walk by any Sa.
moan house you are cordially invited
to enter. A clean mat will be spread
for you to sit cross-legged upon. you
will be treated to the best that the
house affords, and usually the maid
OF the house will make you a bowl of
kava. the national drink.
After you have been feted and
praised until you imagine that you
are the original bale OF virtues, your
glowing opinion of the Samoan's keen
insight into human nature and your
first Impressions Of his noble hospi-
tality are rudely nipped In the bud
by finding that all his attentions and
praises we're simply a commercial
transaction on his part. for he fully
expects you to reimburse him two for
one for every little trouble he may
have gone to to entertain you. and
for many that he has not.
II you should fail to come across"
with the expected filthy lucre he will
not hesitate to tell you about your de.
flciency, and after that, II you are
still going to stick to the established
standards Of hospitality. which your
mistaken father and mother taught
you to uphold. these hospitable Sa.
moans will accompany your disorder.
ly retreat with derisive exolamations