The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1910-08-19


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
10 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 ID. Park,
Jr., yooman, u. S. N, in Los Angeles
Times. The deciGion, when rendered.
declared Malietoa to be the reigning
Ring 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
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 prize grab of Neptune's
south sea collection. for here is To-
Gated the navigable and land-locked
harbor Of Pago-Pago; in fact, 1t 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, it can be
plainly seen that the harbor of Page
Page is a valuable aid to the United
States.
AS 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 o.
some extinct volcano which, in 1t!
final struggle for existence, expired
with one last rend which tore out {
narrow channel to the Pacific, allow
ing that peaceful old mother o
oceans to sweep In and put an enc
W oil NOiCdulC ulSluT DdOCeS.
Along the entire distance arounC
the shore can be seen groups Of ma
tive houses, rearing themselve
against a background of towerin,
hills, whose sides present the aspec
OF an impenetrable Jungle.
When ashore for the first time II
Tutuila one is both surprised an,
pleased at his reception by the ma
tives. Their hospitality seems I'm
bounded. AS you walk by any Sa
moan house you are cordially invite,
TO enter. A clean mat will be sprea,
for you to sit cross-legged upon, yo,
will be treated TO the best that tn
house affords, and usually the mai
of the house will make you a bowl o
kava, the national drink.
After you have been feted an
praised until you imagine that yor
are the original bale OF virtues, you
glowing opinion of the Samoan's keel
insight into human nature and you
first impressions of his noble hosp
tally are rudely nipped in the bu
by finding that all his attentions an
praises were simply a commercial
transaction on his part. for he full
expects you to reimburse him two 70
one for every little trouble he ma
have gone TO TO entertain you, an
for many that he has not
II you should fail to come across
with the expected filthy lucre he Wi
not hesitate to tell you about your do
ficiency. and after that, IL you ar
still going to stick to the establishe
standards OF hospitality, which you
mistaken father and mother laugh
you to uphold. these hospitable 81
means viii accompany your disorder
ly retreat with derisive exclamation