Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-08-19

the Samoan ISLANDS JnaC many
- American citizens are not even
4 81 aware that to the United States
government belongs the finest
aoaling station, at one OF the most
Hrategic points in the south seas.
Dating back to the early part of the
scar 1899, the two rival factions of
samoa, the "Tumua." or party led by
chief Mataafa, and the Matua, or par
y led by Chief Malietoa, held a
fono" or mass meeting at Apia, on
he island of Upolu.
Both Mataafa and Malietoa aspired
o the throne of Samoa, and the OBJ
ect of this meeting was to settle the
dispute and place the rightful king on
he throne, writes Eugene d. Park,
r., yeoman, U. S. NJ, in Los Angeles
fines. The decision, when rendered.
declared Malietoa to be the reigning
2irg of Samoa, and this decision was
held by the United States, Ger
many and England
Mataafa now became hostile, and
ell back with his followers, the Tu-
nua faction. After this ensued the
engagements betwsen the United
States, Germany and England with
1alietoa on the one side and Mataafa
md his rebels on the other
The trouble was finally brought to
IN end and adjusted through com
uission sent by the three countries
md the representative from the Uni
ed States must have been a splendid
diplomat to have secured Tutuila
This commission conceded to Ger
nany the island of Upolu, on whose
thores the town Of Apia is situated,
o England was given the island of
savaii which Germany later gained
possession Of in exchange for her
reaty rights to Tonga. and for the
United States was obtained the
Stands of Tutuila and Manua.
Whatever attraction Manua had /
10 not know, but in getting posses
don of Tutuila the United States Sc
aured the prize grab OF Neptunes
aouth sea collection, for here is To-
stated the navigable and lan3-locked
Aarbor of Pago-Pago; in fact, 1t is
he only harbor in Samoa where a
gessel could seek adequate protection
rom storms.
This harbor is commodious enough
o shelter feet and the Pacific fleet,
even 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
ayes of the visitor it presents a beau
siful aspect, one which is simultane-
susly 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
'anal struggle for existence, expired
with one last rend which tore out a
harrow channel to the Pacific. allow
ing that peaceful old mother OF
oceans to sweep In and put an enc
10 all volcanic disturbances.
, Along the entire distance around
The shore can be seen groups of ma
dive houses, rearing themselve!
against a background of towerin,
nils, whose sides present the aspec
Of an impenetrable jungle.
When ashore for the first time Il
Tutuila one is both surprised an,
pleased at his reception by the ma
dves. Their hospitality seems ur
bounded. AS you walk b, ssnv Sa
moan house YOU are cordially invite
TO enter. a clean mat will be sprea
for you to sit crosslegged upon, yo
will be treated to the best that tn
house affords, and usually the mai
of the house will make you a bowl c
kava, the national drink.
After you have been feted an
praised until you imagine that yo
are the original bale Of virtues, yoy
growing opinion OF the SamOan's kee
insight into human nature and yor
frst impressions of his noble hosr
tality are rudely nipped In the bu
by finding that all his attentions ar
praises were simply commerce.
transaction on his part for he full
expects you to reimburse him two r
one for every little trouble he M;
have gone to to entertain you. al
for many that he has not.
II you should fail to come acros
with the expected filthy lucre he W
not hesitate to tell you about your
1icieney. and after that. II you d
still going to stick to the establish
standards of hospitality. which yo
mistaken father and mother taur
you TO uphold, these hospitable |
moons viii accompany your disord
ay retreat with derisiva exclamatic