Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-27
DEFENDS GERMANS IN SAMOA.

I - p : . -
Hiio. October %, 1914. .
Editor Honolulu Star Bulletin.
Sir: | was moved to write the fol-
lowing lines flor which hope you
win find room after reading Mr..
Churchilfs article in the Star BulIe-
tin of October II. relative to condi-
tons in German Samoa. To me it
seems so manifestiy unfair and biased
that could not refrain from stating
my views of it. II. -s..-e -. -.
IT often amuses me to see with what
freedom and celebrity some travellers
arrive at conclusions concerning condi-
lions in the countries they have visit
ed, sometimes for the briefest period
of time @-@'
II German professors made their de-
auctions with equal agility teonsider-
ing the time Mr.. e. used for his inyes-
tigationsl German universities would
not be the mecca for students that
they are. - z.@ ..--.1
1t is quite probable that Mr.. C. un
derstood neither German nor Samoan,
and was therefore at b great disad
vantage in obtaining reliable informa
ton. @..s3@
lived in Samoa some time in 1901
at which time ! became acquainted
with Mr.. Blackjack, the former Ameri-
can consul at Apia. and Chief Justice
Gurr of TntuilIi, both of whom were
married to SamoaIs, III. y
also became Intimately acquainted
with German who had bought Robert
Louis Steyensons old home, "Vanima,' .
near Apia. These gentlemen gave me
great deal of interesting information
, about Samoan history and customs.
/ They all spoke in the highest terms
OF the justice with which the Germans
ruled the SamoaEs. SO.
According to my own observations
the Germans, English, Americans and
Samoans seemed to be living on the
, most friendly terms. Also / failed
to see the least sign of poverty and of
dissatisfaction among the Samoans.
They all were well dressed, well fed
and happy 4
| Contrast this condition with what ]
saw in Shanghai and HongKong in
1907, and Penang. Singapore. Colombo
and Aden-all British colonies - in
j 1908. just off the main streets in ali
these cities saw the most .wretehed
signs of poverty that one can imagine.
Hundreds of half-starved, ragged, mis-
cradle people were to be seen In every
one of the cities | have mentiond.
| But even with what saw could not
honestly say that the entire countries
hoaR ~ fl,. S,a4;cE.s slsokI Oar -.
travellers less serupuloss would prob
ably have damned the powers respon-
sible for this confederation Genesis
ITO Revelations
/ It is quite likely that had the present
! war not come when Il did Mr.. G. would
not have thought of criticising the
German colonial administration. But
as it seemed the fashion to blame
Germany for all the present trouble,
he could not resist the temptation to
kick foe apparently in the minority.
Speaking of the lack of hospitals on
one island-take these islands for ex-
ample. Are there not many remote
hamlets in the Hawaiian islands with
out hospitals? Such being the case,
would it be right or justtfo some half
baked tourist to come along and criti-
else Us harshly?
He says that personally he had no
complaint to make Of his treatment in
Samoa. When was In Apia in 1901
] found the Germans the pink of cour,
tesy and their hospitality was famous
He says American Samoa, meaning Tu-
tuilli, has hospitals and surgeons. They
have exactly one hospital at Pango
Pango on Page Page sharber. and ma
tives who live on the other side of this
very mountainous island lTutuilIil
must come to the hospital BY water, as
it is almost impossible on account Of
the lack of roads to come any other
way.
In conclusion, let me say that I
think Mr.. Churchill allowed his per-
sonal feelings to warp his Judgment
when he wrote the article alluded to-
or so kindly allowed himself to be In
teryiewed.
Thanking you for your kindness in
printing this article, I remain, yours
respectfully,
]. E. SCHUBERT.
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