Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-23
AQueen
Wh0|SAShamed
0fHerse|f


/ the Tongan Isfapds, in the South Pacific has come
into the imelght> again after years of obscurity
Her realm also known the Friendly Islands. stu-
ated 12OO miles north-noftheast of New Zealand is
British protectorate, but SSoe pronounced SAH-LO
TAY), reigns queen by special dispensation Her
lands comprise constitutional monarchy the only of
its kind in the Pacific.
Queen salote was once the belle Of the islands but
she is past 40 and weighs $50 pounds She always
barefooted and of state she and
perspres in threadbare emne coat pesented her by
a New Zealand diplomat several years ago.
Her Majesty" stepped from the limbo of forgotten
royalty recently when dispatched of allegiance
% King George of England offering him the support of
treasury and the aid of her $4,000 native subjects for
the duration of the present European
parallel this incident put Salote into prominence
the first World War when Tonga issued proclamation
Of neutrality and sent it to Geneva Diplomats puz-
zled and OF them asked What and where in the
world is Tonga ,"
They found that the Tongan Archipelago we'll
known to the Pacific and that its islands form the group
through which Captain Bgh passed
a-drift by mutineers of His Majestys Ship Bounty
Queen Salote in her thrtyfourth year of reign
Her home is Tongatabu, known the Forbidden
Royal Island The royal palace" is two-story frame
building emodeed years from Chinese grocery store
many years Salote maintained a royal guard
consisting of dozen natives in fezzes and Gsrngs Once
after British marines visited the island the Queens
guardsmen stepped forth for duty carrying imitation
made of polished hardwood Saloe sought to the milf
tay bearing of the English visitors in this crude fashion,
but she later abandoned the idea because visiting sailors
and traders laughed much.
Her royal carriage. according to the last reports
brought back by copra traders Model-T Ford which
often is bounding the dashboard roads of
Tongatabu a cloud Her Majesty's tremendous
bulk occupies the entire compartment of the vehicle
while two half-naked natives in plumed fezzes act as
chauffeur and footman.
These which adorn her guards and retinue
saloe purchased with pearls from tnerant South Sea
merchant There Is of them in box. She passed
them out TO her - nearest subjects and kept one for
herself which she hung from rafer in the palace"
Queen Saloc's most priced possession used to he
old steam Yacht on which she sailed merrily
raj bfpq rpd OOl on he
She loved tn, salt water i her face and when
would come soshng the bow and drench her from
head foot she would gurgle and slap her hefty brown
thighs in childish amusement
When she had enough of this fun would go below
and drink pint Of fiery New Zealand gin brandy
and sleep until the stars out Then she would
deck and dance sing perhaps just look at the
moonlight shmmerng the water, depending her mood
of her memorable jaunts among the islands it
is recounted that the Tongan Queen got herself damned
IN small compartment" of makeshift deck-house
which put together with rough boards full
splinters The Queen then weighed about 300 pounds
Usually she could fit into the little room but she had
gained considerable weight since her previous trips.
This time she pried herself into the compartment
and hen found impossible To get out without running
tough spnters into her flesh The tried pun
ont but The the yanked the deeper spnters
dug Finally subjects had tear the deck house apart
Among other things. the queen ardent stamp
collector She is said TO issues early Tongan Mon
archy stamps valued at thousands of dollars Traders
have attempted to buy them her but she
sell them because they the only left Of her
first husband whom she loved dearly
When Salote was young and beautiful she had many
suitors She married the first time the best OF
recollection age l. and has outlved four
husbands. She is widow present very lonely.
In her earlier years Salote the darling of the
Archipelago feed alike by her people by visit
diplomats and traders But she grew old fat
Her Royal Highness developed inferority complex
Ashamed Of her 350pound figure conscious
that palace" has become dilapidated years
sneaks away to the mountains whenever visit
Ing ship anchors in the roadstead. and refuses
town until after the vessel leaves. N. y ~.
Outside of brought 70 port by trading vessels
Queen Sautcs only contact with the world by small
shof-Vave powered by kerosene motor there's
been kerosene for the past four months Is
LIZ h.l.tr Arr. r-rrIl Ill