Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
OUR SOUTHERN OUTPOST
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

In turn the individual is provided for
by the group. IT depends upon the
energy, ambition and eloquence Of the
head of the family whether or not
the family prospers. If Samoan 10
sufficiently inspired, he can do the
hardest kinds of work.
The question arises as to how much
the Samoans should be urged or edu-
Gated to work. Their wants are few,
the climate is not adapted to industry
and they are happy, lovable, peaceful
people suited to and by their environ
ment. contented with the simple life
which a bounteous nature provides for
them.
The men are splendidly built. tall and
muscular, not given to corpulence.
When young the girls have beautiful
figures. Soft black hair sometimes
wavy, straight noses and high fore
heads suggest the European type Nat
ura!ly hospitable and generous. the
Samoans have not yet been imposed
upon by foreigners and they give
strangers "a cordial welcome. Work.
play. religion. feasting- anything-is an
occasion for singing. even the language
being musical. They also love dancing,
holding both singing and dancing con-
tests. Fond of the water. they will
spend hours swimming. fishing and
padding.
Attend Christian Worship.
Although attending the Christian
church as a rule. the SamOans have
their own DarWinian theories. Accord
ing to their legend. creation began with
Nothing. continuing with Fragrance,
Dust, Perceiyable. Obtainable. Earth,
High Rocks. Small Stones and Noun
tainS. Tagaroa, the creator of men.
was born of the marriage Of the cloud
less heavens with the spread-out heavens.
Under the American Government the
population has increased to 8,724, prob
ably due to improved methods of hy-
giene as we'll as the cessation of wars.
Whereas formerly two-thirds of the Sa-
means died in infancy, under the care
and education of American doctors and
nurses and the newly trained Samoan
nurses, this great loss has been re-
duced.
In addition to good medical care
and sanitary inspection. there are other
New World perquisites in these islands
now, such as % miles of road fit for
automobiles, bus service from the Naval
Station to villages, a bank, schools. re-
frigeration and electrical machinery,
and post office.
IL ID UcileVcu LIldk JdCOD tEOBBcVecu
saw the Samoan Islands in 1922. Then
he mistook the tattooing adjoining the
natives for Silken clothing. They in
turn mistook the clothes of white men
for loose skin. They thought pockets
were treasure door through which
they plunge their hands into their bod
les and bring forth cutlery and neck
laceS and cloth and nails"
Soon after the missionaries had be-
gun their work there. Charles Wilkes
on an expedition from the United
States explored the islands, naming
them Samoa in 1899. About IS years
later a United States consular agent
was established In 1878 a treaty, the
first ever entered into by Samoa, was
concluded between it and the United
States giving this country the privilege
of establishing naval station at Page
Page.
After years of difficulties occasioned
by German, English and American oc-
cupation of these islands, it was found
impracticable to govern them by tri-
partite methods. BY the convention Of
1899, the United States renowned all
claim to certain of them and was given
rights and claims over the Island OF
Tutuila and all others east of longi-
tude I'll west of Greenwich.
Soon this territory was placed under
the control of the Department of the
Navy for the operation of naval sta
ton. Later, making the tie really bind
ing chiefs of these islands coded them
to the United States for the promotion
Of the peace and welfare of the people
and the establishment of government.