The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-03
BY REUEL S. MOORE
United Press staff Correspondent

PAGo PAGo, Tutuila, American
Samoa, Nov. 3.-If congress follows
the recommendations of the Ameri-
can Samoan commission some nine
thousand Polynesians will be gwen
American citizenship.
Tropical, verdant Samoa offers
many things foreign to the lands
and peoples under the American
flag, foreign even to the other tropi-
cal possessions Of the United States.
Samoa. is a primitive paradise,
where no orphans and no aged go
begging and uncared for, where one
man shares his brothers and his
cousins food and property under a
peculiar family communal system,
and where the name Of God Is ut
tered more frequently in reverence
and His benediction more frequently
asked than in Christian America.
The Samoan's wants are simple.
Almost every Samoan, man and
woman, goes barefooted.
Few Clothes Are Worn
Instead of trousers the male wears
cotton or tapa cloth lava lava,
skirt-like garment which he wraps
around his waist.
Often his body is bare from the
waist up, although at other times
he may wear a shirt and sometimes
a tie and coat.
The women for the most part flnd
q cotton dress sufficient clothing,
although sometimes they, too, wear
a garment similar to the males,
only fastened mostly above the
breasts.
The Samoans, have adopted some
Of the simpler household conven-
fences, such as oil.lghts and utensils,
and they use the islands only
transportation utility, a government
owned bus line.
The American Rule
But despite their remoteness and
the difference in their custom the
people Of American Samoa have
shown a strong attachment to the
flag of the United States, which
was first concertedly manifest in
1900 when the chiefs of Tutuila
coded their lands to the United
States, followed by similar action
on the part Of the Manua chiefs in
1904.
Since that time until the present
they have been governed by the
navy, without any guarantee OF 8
voice in their government, although
the wishes of the Fono, or coun-
Gil Of chiefs, has generally been
accepted by navy governors. They
have not held citizenship.
Citizenship Is Urged
But the American Samoan com
mission, after conducting hearings
in various parts of the islands, has
recommended that the Samoans be
given American citizenship, a repre-
sentative government, privileges OF
court appeal to the courts Of the
United States and bill Of rights.
An organic act embodying these
PRINCIPLES and setting up the ma
chinery for a new self-government
Is beirg drawn up by the commits
sion and will in all probability be
submitted to congress in December.
The commission, which here re-
Gently concluded hearings and
which is now working on the report
to congress included;
Representative Government
Senator Hiram Bingham, Con-
necticut, Republican, chairman;
Senator Joseph T. Robinson, Ar
kansas, Democrat; Congressman
Carroll L. Beedy, Maine, Republic
an; Congressman Quinn Williams,
Texas, Democrat; High Chief
Manga, one Of those who signed
the 1900 treaty of cession; High
Chief Tufele and Chief Magalei.
Spokesman for the Mau, organ
ization seeking a representative
government for Samoa and Amer
lean citizenship, asserting they rep
resented 5000 of Samoa's popula-
ton, asked for q civil government
as one Of their points.
In answer to this the commits
SIGN will recommend that the
President of the United States be
free to appoint a civilian. or an
active or retired army or navy man,
as he sees mt to take the governor