The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-08-18

~ 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
"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, L. S. ~, 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
an end and adjusted through a COM
mission sent by the three countries
and the representative from the Uni
ted States must have been a 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
Savaii. which Germany later gained
treaty rights to Tonga, and for the
United States was obtained the
islands of Tutuila and Manua.
Whatever attraction Manua had
do not know, but in getting posses
sion of Tutuila the United States Sc
cured the prize grab of Neptune's
south sea collection, for here is To-
Gated the navigable and land-locked
harbor of PagoPago; in fact, it is
the only harbor in Samoa where a
vessel could seek adequate protection
from storms.
This harbor is commodious enough
to shelter feet and the Pacific fleet,
seven cruisers and seven torpedo
boats. rode at anchor here without
inconvenience. Since a ship must be
allowed enough floating space to
swing completely around her anchor
with the change of tide, 1t can be
plainly seen that the harbor of Pago-
Page IS valuable aid to the United
States.
AS the harbor opens to view to the
eyes of the visitor II presents a beau
tiful aspect, one which is simuitane-
ously grand. awe-inspiring, quaint
and restful Being completely sur
rounded by high mountains, the har
Dor seems like the gigantic crater o.
/ some extinct volcano which, in its
final struggle for existence, expired
with one last rend which tore out a
narrow channel to the Pacific allow.
| ing that peaceful old mother OF
oceans to sweep in and put an end
20 all volcanic disturbances.
Along the entire distance around
the shore can be seen groups of ma
tive houses. rearing themselves
against a background of towering
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, yor
will be treated to the best that the
house affords, and usually the maif
of the house will make you a bowl O.
kava, the national drink.
After you have been feted an,
praised until you imagine that yo,
are the original bale of virtues, you
glowing opinion of the Samoan's keer
insight into human nature and YOU
first impressions of his noble hospI
tally are rudely nipped in the bui
by finding that all his attentions an,