Evening star., 1947-10-08

have heard since, has convinced me that Mr..
Ickes attitude toward naval government Of the
Pacific islands is more nearly the democratic
attitude than is the attitude of officers like
Capt. Walter Karg who, in his communica-
tion Of October l to The Star, seeks to brush
of an expose of facts with charges of "exag-
geration" and attempts to soothe the public
with excuses for naval failure.
In this letter will cite only few examples
OF naval treatment of American Samoans.
During the war years. military rule in the
strictest sense was imposed on the islanders.
The Samoans fully realized the need for ex-
pediency, for not one voice was raised in pro-
test. But the imposition went over and beyond
expediency bordering on despotism Respect
of personal rights ceased to exist.
Abuses Are Alleged.
For example, when a new airfeld was
needed, naval authorities selected a suitable
site and few days later the bulldozers started
their rampages. Coconut trees breadfruit trees
and banana plants were destroyed. The Samo-
ans understood; but not one tin Of corned beef,
or pound of RICE or cup of flour was given the
property owners to alleviate the scarcity Of
native staple food, destroyed by the bulldozers.
Compensation was not paid for the land thus
confiscated. No land claims have been paid
even today.
When water main was to be laid to a de-
stroyer base, anything in the way of the pipe
line had to be moved. For the sake Of common
decency, a responsible authority should have
notified the people Of the indiscriminate path
Of the line. AS 1t was, homes had to be moved
at an hours notice, and no material help either
In moving or rebuilding was given the eWcted
victims.
All able bodied Samoans were drafted to meet
the emergency of erecting defenses and Of
loading and unloading ships. Even the high
est chiefs cast aside their dignity and prestige
to work as stevedores, gesture that was ex-
emplary of the character of Samoans and was
responsible for the cooperation of all people.
One Of the highest chiefs working as steve
dore, caught pneumonia and died. To the best
of my knowledge, this chiefs or any other
chiefs meritorious achievements were never
acknowledged while citations for military OFF,
cials connected with the projects flowed freely.
There were times when Samoans who took
. day off to attend Sunday services, a prewar
obligation in Samoan life, were set upon by
naval MPs and whisked away to prison, their
home for the next few weeks while working.
More than once some were taken away In the
middle of the services.
During the war, in the codifcation of the
laws of Samoa the Navy forbade the sale OF
liquor or the giving of it to q Samoan But it
seemed to be within the law to get the Samoan
girls drunk in the Naval Officers Club or at
officers private parties. At one time, while
boyhood friend of mine lay dying, the sobs of
his mother were drowned by the hilarious
laughter from an officers party for short tim
ers" held about so feet away in the naval doc
tors three-bedroom quarters. This naval doc
tor was in charge of the Samoan Hospital.
This is not intended to tarnish the glory
that is deservedly the Navy's. What is past
is prologue" In our stepping stones toward
peace in this atomic age, let us not be too
engrossed with other achievements to remem-
Der the basic concepts on which this Nation
was founded, one of which is the recognition of
the rights of others, even if they are in the
minority. PETER TALL COLEMAN.
Wants to Forget Hemlines
To the Editor Of The Star:
It is q curious and not very favorable COM
mentary on America that there should be at
this time so great a commotion over the new
long hemline With the world situation in an
extremely delicate and potentially explosive
state, we find $50 radio stations, half dozen
H..