Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1889, Page 6

6 SAMOA AND THE SAMOANS. OF THE TROUBLES. —_ How the United States Became Inter- ested in the Islands. pa os See ae ESTABLISHING THE ISLAND KIXGDOM—THE CON- FLICTING INTERESTS OF THE THREE GREAT NA- ‘TIONS—INTERNAL TROUBLES WITH FOREIGN AS- SISTANCE—CLAIMS OF MATAAFA AND TAMASESE. ORIGIN —_——_. ‘The word “Samoa” is in everybody's mouth just now; everybody discusses, toa greater or less extent, the Samoan question, and every- body wonders what will come of all the wars and rumors of wars that are agitating three great @tions, although the strife itself is far enough away from allof them. It is probably safe tosay that nine-tenths of the people of this land are in a state of intense geographical darkness as to the location of the Samoan Islands. Popular opinion says they are ‘“‘in the Pacific,” and it accompanies this valuable in- formation with a sweeping gesture of the hand toward the setting sun that takes in everything from Behring’s straits to Cape Horn. A good many people imagine that the islands are a few hundred miles west of San Francisco, but lots of other ordinarily well-informed folks dispute that statement without, however, being able to afford any specific information as to the loca- tion of those little coral-founded mud-heaps over which so much diplomatic fuss is being made. The amount of ignorance that has been displayed on this subject during the past two or three weeks is astounding. If you draw a circle on a map of the Pacific ocean and include within the bounda- ries of your ring the junctions of the thirteenth and fourteenth parallels of south latitude and the one hundred and sixty-ninth and one hun- dred and seventy-third meridian of longitude west of Greenwich, you will find that you have fenced around that ‘portion of the globe’ in which Samoa is to be found. The little irreg- ularly-shaped dots on the surface of the ocean are the islands over which not a few people are worrying. Nine of the islands are inhabited. ‘These are the prizes. There are a number of smaller and comparatively valueless islets, but they are rarely heard of. The islands which make up the kingdom of Samoa are called Tutuila, Opolu, Manua, Olosinga, Ofu, Manona, Anuu, Savaii, and Apolima. Of these islands by far the most important is Opolu, and its great port. Apia, is the capital city of Samoa. Opolu is the second island in size. It is about 3* miles long and a little less than 11 miles broad. At Apia is the seat of gov- ernment and within the city limits are the resi- dences of about all the foreigners on the island. Greatest in size is Savaii, being about 40 miles long and 20 mi The greater portion of Savaiian surfac c eupied by two mountain ranges of voleanic origin. In the interior of the island there are numerous lava beds, and consequently there is adearth of animal life. The interest of the United States, however, is at present centered principally on the island of Tutaila, because treaty rights have there given us possession of the harbor of Pago-Pago. The island is fully 17 miles long, and at its greatest width meas- ures about 5 miles. The harbor of Pago-Pago is on the south side of the island, and the in- dentation made by it almost makes two islands of Tatuila. In his report on Samoa Special Agent Stein- berger (before the United States had acquired any rights in the islands) says of this particu- lar region: “The bay of Pago-Pago is surrounded on ail sides by precipitous mountains. Native houses in small villages cluster at their base. When the rains are long continued there are small rivu- Jets foundat the mouths of the ravines; but, excepting the one at Pago-Pago, there is not a living stream flowing into the bay, and even e dignified by the name of creek. On an occasional flat or gentle declivity upon the hillsides of a few acres yw bananas, oranges, taros, yams, and bread fruit, while coeoanut groves line the shore and fish are abundant; hence a scanty population may thrive here. The high mountains, completely shutting im the bay, im a measure lessen the influences of the trade-winds, or they are materially neu- tralized by the exuberant growth of trees and other rank vegetation. The mountains generat- ing moistare. the rains are almost continuous. The artist accompanying me devoted much time to the bay of Pago-Pago and its surround- ings. The security of the harbor is undoubted: no bay in the world could be more safe, while itis sufficiently capacious for a considerable navy. For a naval and coaling station it would be at all times accessible and absolutely secure. Piers and wharves could be built upon the coral reefs, with great depth of water alongside, at trifling ex water cou! mse, and a sufficient supply of fresh fa be obtained at the heat of the bay el depot and shipping demands, but ificant amount of cultivable land around the bay, and the consequent necessity of drawing supplies from the leeward end of the island. with the absolute lack of industrial resources immediately about the harbor. pre- clude the possibility of its ever being a popu- lous or important piace. These facts, however, may add to its desirableness as a naval coaling and general repairing depot for the govern- ment. The bay opening to the south, and pre- vailing winds from the southeast often blowing fresh, sailing vessels, especially square-rigged ones, have great difficulty in beating out.” ‘The kingdom was not always known by the name it now bears. Up to a comparatively re- cent date the islands were known as the Nevi- gators Islands, this being the name given them in 1769 by De Bougainville, a French adven- turer and explorer. who visited the group and also the adjoining collection known as the Fiji Islands. | ‘THE LOCATION. The Samoan Islands are much nearer Aus- tralia than any other important country, but they are far enough away from that British colony to be independent —if Germany will only allow them to be. From San Francisco to Apia it is about 5.500 miles, while from the Samoan capital to Sydney, N.S. W., the dis- tance is not more than 3,400 miles. Half-way between Samoa and San Francisco are the Sand- wich Islands. The entire area of the disturbed Kingdom is comparatively insignificant—only about 1.600 square miles—while its population does not exceed 40,000, or not quite one-fifth that of this city. THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLES. And now somebody wants to know why the United States and Germany are shaking their fists at each other over such a little garden- ch. The story is a long one and many of its incidents are much complicated. The few facts in the case are almost entirely hidden by a growth of tropical falsehood that is luxu- fiant in the extreme, and through the density | of which it is extremely difficult for the average and undiplomatic vision to penetrate. Each nation involved has a story of its own, and, so far as seen, the only resemblance one narrative bears to another is found in the fact that the seene of each is laid in the same region— oa. In that little section of the Pacific the Ger- mans have always been extremely active im se- curing trading rights, and when, about 1845, white settlers began to reside in’ the Samoan group, 4 majority of them were from the Fatherland. Since that time England and this country have contributed unofficially to the population and wealth of the kingdom, but neither of the two have succeed in placing Germany in the minority. The great bulk of both imports and exports were handled for a long time bys big German firm, and when thet met with financial disaster the business was picked up and carried on by the German Commercial and Plantation society, a corpora- tion of much wealth and political influence. For the past twenty years this company has done its utmost to control the little gs Borg and had it not been for NATIVES AND CANOE. - prest-grandfather was born in Germany and e had therefore but little of the Teuton in him, his mother’s ancestors being among the original settlers of South Carolina, Stein- berger lost no time in fulfilling his mission, and incidentally he made things as pleasant as ‘ible for Steinberger. He saw. or thought e saw,a great future for the islands and he pro- ceeded to make himself solid with the people. He found the islanders governed, or,rather, inis- overned, by two factions—headed respectively ¥ Malietoa and Tupua. Both were fighting in a mild but determined kind of way for the sovereignty. Steinberger talked peace to both parties and it was finally agreed to allow the American to formuiate a plan of government and to frame a constitution after the American fashion. THE RESULT. In this the American succeeded admirably. He provided for the establishment of a two- branch legislature and for a ruler with a term of office. This would give each principal chief a chance; each in turn would occupy the throne. Nothing ‘could have been more. satisfactory, and no one was more thoroughly satisfied than Steinberger. for he was prime minister. No rovision had been made in the constitution ‘or rotation in that office and that lack of con- stitutional safeguard was due, of course, to the thoughtful absent-mindedness of Stein- berger. By March, 1874, the Samoan govern- ment was in good working order, and, after leaving a number of instructions as to how things should be run in his absence, the pre- mier returned to the United States to make his report. It was a very able document and it re- ceived from Hamilton Fish. then Secretary of State, the highest possible encomiums, STEINBERGER’S RETURN created a good deal of sensation and there was for a time a Samoan “boom.” In this city the “premier” was always surrounded by a number of fortune-seekers, and had he so desired he could have recruited a regiment of ambitious young men to go to Samoa. Steinberger had not been home any great length of time when he was summoned to Hamburg.Germany, where he entered into some sort of a contract with the well-known firm of J. Cesar Godeffroy & Son, by which he was to advance their ‘in- terests in Samoa, and subsequent events show that he did not go back on his agree- ment, for the Godeffroys secured the greater portion of the business of the islands. When Steinberger returned from Germany he commenced active preparations for a trip to Samoa, and in these he was assisted by John H. Latrobe, a young Baltimorean. who had de- cided to visit the South Paci: Steinberger n commissioned a special agent of the tates, and was entrusted with the con- veyance and delivery to the Samoaus of pres- ents from this government. Among the gifts were 100 muskets, several smallcannon, a good supply of ammunition, a number of musical instruments and a quantity of clothing. Pres- ident Grant took a decided interest in the ex- pedition. The night before Steinberger left for his island kingdcce the President went over to Baltimore, and at the house of Mr. Thomas Poultney the chief executive took dinner in company with the two adventurers and Mr. Poultney, and Mr. Trimble. Steinberger was loaded down with kind messages from the ad- ministration, and President Grant sent by him a letter in which he expressed his sincere hope that the independence and autonomy of the islands would be fully preserved. THE EXPEDITION. The great collection of gifts and a large quantity of merchandise, contributed princi- pally by Baltimore and Philadelphia merchants, was placed on board the Peerless, a schooner yacht, which was believed to have been the property of the Godeffroys, and in that vessel the goods were carried to Samoa. oe more enthusiastic than the reception accorde the Americans could be imagined. Samoa was overjoyed. The prime minister who had been lost was found; the dead was alive again. Ev- ery Samoan was delighted to see him, and although the climate made unnecessary any modern devices for heating, they were never- theless glad to meet the Latrobe he had brought back with him. When Steinberger left the islands he left them in charge of a temporary ruler, but when he returned he was somewhat saddened to discover two men onthe throne. In his absence the people had tired of the proposition which gave them a temporary king; they wanted a king who would be a king all the year round for as many years as he could stand it. The selection of a perma- nent monarch was no small matter. Some of the people continued to hope that the United States would yet take possession of the islands so they counseled a little more delay. They were soon in a minority and then the matter of electing a raler was taken up. There was dis- agreement from the start, and the political fight ended with an agreement which gave the kingdom two kings, the principal one being MALIETOA TALAV! This arrangement did not strike Steinberger very favorably, and it did not take him very long to make public some vigorous criticisms on the governing system which had been adopted. He acknowledged that there were times and places where two kings might con- duce tothe happiness of one individual, but two kings divided up among so many people did not amount to much. Through his in- finence the dual monarchy scheme was recon- sidered. another election was held, he counted the votes and Malietoa was declared duly elected king of Samoa. Steinberger was at once placed at the helm of the government. The Samoans were satisfied and so were a great many of the foreign residents, by whom Stein- berger was regarded as an honest and thoroughly capable man—just the person to bring Samoa to the front. A LEGISLATURE. While Steinberger was a reformer of the purest type he was careful enough and diplo- matic enough to refrain from shocking the con- servatism which existed among the older Samoans. Before his advent the two bodies of chie denominated the Taimua and Faipule— had been ail powerful. These the prime min- ister made happy by forming them into a legis- lature—a rude Samoan imitation of the Ameri- can Congress—with a set of rules of procedure by which they could do about as they pleased, provided that he also was pleased. In the meantime Mr. Latrobe was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court oF Samoa, and he dispensed law wi liberal hand until he became weary of judicial labors and wanted achange. He was then made commander-in- chief of the forces—naval and military—with the title of captain-general. Sim AMERICAN COMPETITION itis more than probable that Samoa would have been by this time completely Germanized. The desire to have Samoa become an attach- ment to the German empire comes solely from Germany, and is as thoroughly one-si an at tachment as ever existed. Samoans have repeatedly ae desires to have their little islands xed to the tail of some other national kite. but they never e: the slightest wish to become vassals of Germany. had, however, displayed a liking for the ited States. In 1872 Commander Meade, of A SPECIAL MISSION. In 1878 President Grant thought some recip- Under Steinberger’s rule the country pered exceedingly. The exports increase mensely, and as the people accumulated means the market for imports was also considerably extended. The Godeffroy firm continued to wax fatter and fatter, the great bulk of the business being in their hi - The Samoans, however, knew little of this and cared leas; they were getting along swimmingly. THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE, There was one man in Samoa who was watch- Consul Foster. He thought Steinberger was treacherous and was only smoothing matters down so that Samoa might, as soon as possible, become an addition to German territory. The prime minister was also doing some watching, and the individual on whom his gaze was fixed was Consul Foster. Then came trouble. There were numerous small “spats,” and there was a big row over the German Commercial and Plan- tation society, comemuneh shed the hacen company. men as though each trying to cut the other’ Then the g greet i hand and Captain Stevens, of her British majesty’s man-of-war Barraceuta on the other. With the aid of a fcrce of marines and blue-jackets from the British vessel United States Consul Foster seized the Peerless and confiscated her, she being afterward sold at Auckland, New Zealand. Then there was war indeed. "The premier and the captain-gen- eral poured their | org into one of King Malie- toa’s ears while Capt. Stevens, Unite Consul Foster, and British Consul W’ talked into the other. Capt. Stevens claimed to have been insulted by Latrobe, and so had the two consuls. The hearing of testimony continued for some time, and 0 long as Stein- berger remained with his majesty all was com- paratively well with his cause, but one day the premier was absent and Malietoa took advan- tage of that fact and went back on him, fired him out of his official position, and would not even give him letters of recommendation. The ex-premier, however, remained on the island, saduad he been undisturbed for a little while longer would undoubtedly have made. a strong effort to reach the throne. He knew his power with the people. and was only waitmg the op- portunity to let slip his coup'd’etat when Con- sul Foster, aided and abetted by Capt. Stevens and Consul Williams, wiped out his plans and removed him from Samoa on board H. M. 8. Barraceuta. EXILED. The hapless ex-premier was placed in irons and kept closely confined until the man-of-war reached one of the Fiji Islands, Here he was put ashore and left to shift for himself as best he could, having as acompanion in misery a Mr. Coe, who was some sort of a special agent of the United States. The Fijians were just as much delighted to see Steinberger as their cennibal ancestors would have been. To them he was a good man, a great statesman, and when they saw how poverty-stricken he was they tookup a popular svbscription for him, and thus gave him the means to return to this country. A TEMPORARY DETHRONEMENT. The high-handed proceedings of the consuls and the captain at Apia had produced an un- looked-for result. Steinberger was gone, and there was no man to take his place. The Tai- mua and the Faipule convened themselves in special joizt session, passed resolutions of the most rabid description, deposed the king, and then adjourned and went out and saw to it rsonally that Malietoa vacated the premises 8 eretofore sacred to Samoan royalty and Stein berger. The unhappy monarch was execrated by the populace for having been the instru- ment of others in the banishment of the man who was regarded as a national benefactor. Malietoa, with a few followers, boarded acanoe late at night and managed to reach the island of Savaii, where he was found next day by the captain of the British man-ofwar, He was at once taken back to Apia and reinstated as king. Just then Captain-General Latrobe concluded that as there was to be war he might as well move out. The grateful islanders were sorry to lose their hired warrior, but they took up a collection and made him a number of valuable presents. As soon as the ex-captain-general was safely out of the way the Samoa: arted in to fighting, and they kept it up merrily and ertinaciously. There were one or two squab- les with British sailors, and several men were killed on each side. The legislature did its best to preserve order, but it failed. Then it sent a delegation of chiefs to Fiji to ask pro- tection of the British authoriti Their re- quest would undoubtedly have been granted had it not been for the action of the United States consul. He talked the matter over with the German consul, and they decided that there Would not be, with their consent, a British pro- tectorate over Samoa, so the Stars and Stripes were hoisted over the Samoan flag at Apia. That stopped the protectorate idea at once. UNITED STATES CONSULATE. The civil broil continued at intervals, and the chiefs thought they would make anott tempt to crawl in under the protecting wing of the American eagle. An envoy was dispatched to Washi , and while he was away there was more trouble. Great Britain wanted to n tiate a treaty with Samoa, so she sent a high commissioner to do it. The Samoan government would not listen to him because their envoy was in this country, and they would not treat with any power until they had been officially notified of the results of his mission. Then the high commissioner was wroth. He landed a large force of marines at Apia, and was about, it is presumed, to take charge of the entire establishment, when the Stars and Stripes again fluttered above the Samoan ensign on the official flagstaff. The treaty was not nego- tiated. The Samoan envoy jo this country failed to induce the government to take pos- session of Samoa, but he arranged the terms of a treaty which was ratified by the chi 1878—the first treaty ever made with A year later and both Great Britain and Ger- many made treaties. END OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHIEFS, The government by the chiefs was a very un- satisfactory one, and, much to the relief of the landers, it died early in 1879, when old Malie- toa returned to Apia and unostentatiously re- sumed the monarchical business at the old stand. Five months later, with the consent of Malietoa, junior, he was duly annointed king. About the first move made by the reinstated ruler was to eject the Taimua and Faipule from the seat of government. Then there was more war, of course. The situation was rather warm for non-combatants, so the consuls of the three great powers talked the matter over with rep- resentatives of both factions, and the confer- ence resulted in the setting apart of the dis- trict of Apia as neutral territory. The consuls all recognized old Malietoa or Malietoa Tala- vou, as the king. Through the month of No- vember, 1879, there was a good deal of fight- ing, but finally the captain of a man man-of-war, then at Apia, intervened and succeeded in making peace between the combatants by arranging matters so that Malie- toa Laupepe should be vice-king during the lifetime of Malietoa Talavou, and then should succeed to the throne. The consuls agreed with the Malietoan government very well, and through their efforts a advisers— American, English an‘ —Wwere appoint- ed to aid the king in his admi streton of affairs, ery pas from this, but the arrangement it long. ot In November, 1880, Malietoa Talavou died on the island of Savoii, and in accordance with the agreement Malie- tos Laupepe was anointed king. Then the omnipresent “‘op- ition” awoke, and J z 3 then Mr. Weber, a German consul, did his deadly diplomatic work, backed np by the ves- sels in the harbor. got the king and the assistant monarch to sign a treaty which gave Germany complete control over the local gov- ernment. The treaty provided that a German- Samoan council of state should be formed. It was to consist of the German consul or his representative, two Samoans and two Germans, who were to i by the German of of the treaty iamirted special legis! of the insisted on lation for the protection of Germans and no one else. Other provisions were that the king should appoint, with the advice and consent of the German consul, a German officer as a member of the Samoan government, the said officer to be the secretary and adviser of the king in all matters pertaining to German residents or in- terests, The secretary was also to be judge in criminal cases where German residents were interested, ' A prison was to be erected for the custody of offenders in cases where Germans were concerned, and the royal German secre- tary was to be charged with the suryeillance of the management of the prison, Phen there were to be policemen appointed, and this force was to be controlled by the German ruler. The treaty beget argery a surrender to Germany of all the rights of Samoa to self-government. MALIETOA’S REPUDIATION, As soon as the German flect sailed away, taking with it the treaty, Malietoa was exceed- ing sorrowfal. THe was probably sorrowful be- fore the fleet left, but he concealed his grief until the German guns looked some other way. Then he wrote to the emperor of Germany and — the treaty. The letter was as fol- ows: Your Masrsty: I write inform your ma- jesty that Tam deeply distressed on account of the troublesome acts done by the subjects of your country in Samoa, Thumbly beseech your majesty to listen to my complaint. The first matter of complaint of which Ihave to inform your majesty is the agreement which was made on the 10th of November between the government of Germany and the government of Samo: The method in which it was brought about was very improper, for we did not desire to make it beeause we w allowed to see the documents so that we could consult about it and consider it. 1 wrote to the German cousul to ask him to give me a copy of the agreement, in order that we should thoroughly understand its meaning. He replied that he refused to give me or my governmenta copy of the agreement until after we had accepted (signed) it. assented to the agreem Malietoa and Tupna, w count of our intt nt and our names, ere signed to it on ac- dation by threats, I also y of our withdrawal from ount of its containing acticable claus I therefore beg your majesty will not assen to that agreement. Lalso appeal to your majesty with reference to the troublesome acts of Mr. Weber, a subject of your country. He is continually trying to cause divisions among my people, in order to bring about turbances and war in Samoa. I have receivec much information respecting his working for the purpose of causing troubles to arise in scheming and offering bribes to some Samoan chiefs to induce them to comply with his wishes and thus cause a re- bellion in my eounti I complain to your majesty on account of this improper condue! Weber so that he may be compelled to desist from acts by whi the blood f the people of my country may be shed. L hope and pray that God will bless your ma- jesty and your government. Tam, your maj Mattetoa, King of Samoa. SAMOAN TROUBLES INCREASED as soon asthe Germans on the island knew what had been done by Malietoa, Dr. Steubel, the German consul-general, and Mr. Weber, of ‘rading company, sueceeded in raising the Apia, and when Malietoa noan colors they were pullvd down of German marines. Tamasese was upon to rebel, and he was actively supported by the Germans. A German fleet sailed to Samoa in 1886, and it gave all possible aid and comfort to the German tool and Samoan rebel—Tamasese. An attempt was about to be made to take possession of the kingdom, but that was frustrated by an un the part of United States Consi who raised the star spangled banner above the Samoan flag. That action upset the Ger- man plans, and it also npset Mr, Greene- baum as an official part of this administration, Secretary Bayard repudiated the act and re- called the patriotic ofticial. DEMANDS. Early in 1887 a new character appeared in Samoa—Johann Ludwig Brandeis. He was sent at once to the camp of Tamasese, and the rebel He could ushed the re- bellion and would have done it had it not been for the entreaties of the American and English consuis, both of whom desired to avoid blood- shed if possible. A conference of the three owers was then being eld in this city, and the consuls hoped that diplomacy might bridge the trouble over. elay proved to dangerous to Ma- TAMASESE, ‘toa, for as soon as the Washington con- ference adjourned (it having failed to agree) the German government decided to make a rsonal war upon the king. Of this conclu- sion the United States was not: i after war had been declared. pretexts were advanced. It was alleged the German citizen had been injured at A drunken brawl, Nobody knew who di age, but the German consul-general de- nded an abject apology from Malietoa, He also insisted on the payment of £1,000 to the damaged German and the punishment of the Samoans who had dared to deface the drunken man’s features. King Malietoa thought the de- mands were based on rather visionary grounds and he was considering the advisability of compliance when another bill was sent in. It was for $12,000, and the money was to pay for fruit which the Germans said had been stolen from their plantations during the four previ- ous years, The demand was made on August 23, 1887, and the next morning, before 7 o'clock, lietoa replied to the effect that he could not raise the means at once, and he furthermore sired to consult over the matter with his chiefs, Half an hour later his flag was pulled down by the German forces, and an active mil- itary campaign was commenced, Tamasese was brought to the capital by a German man- of-war, and was installed as king, with Johann Ludwig Brandeis as prime minister, with five German war yessels in the harbor ready for business, MALIETOA A PRISONER. Malietoa at once surrendered himself to the Germans and was‘taken away a prisoner in one of the German men-of-war. He is still a prisoner on one of the Marshall Islands. The Germans imagined that with the removal of Malietoa Laupepe the troubles would end, but they were wrong. The troubles had only’ just commenced, Loyal Semoans would not recog- nize Tamasese as their king, and they at once chose one of their chiefs — Mataafa — as ruler,under the hon- ored and customary re- gal title of Malietoa Mataafa. The new mon- arch was regularly crowned and every- thing was done that was considered neces- sary to make his claim ood. The Germans, , still held on to Tamasese and Bran- deis, and they ere sup- orting the rebels ed lulietoa Mataafa has behind him the great: bulk of Samoan le, and he ix favored by both the United States E ik i ; i i E e { ? i ff | iv H i fH g i £ g & E 2 4 8 i £ [ i ef So. Tamasese, but they 'y were forced to. One chief refused toswear and the Germans burned his village of two hundred huts, ent down the co- coanut and bread fruit trees and then dis- turbed the last resting places of past genera- tions of Samoans; not a grave but was dese- cratated. \ SAMOAN COMMERCE has decreased somewhat during the past two Years, due to the great disturbances there, but it is not 60 small as some people might imagine. In 1885 the total amount of trade was $542,612. Of this Germany secured 281, the United States, $146,000, and Great Britain the remain- der, $115,000. ‘There is no reason why, if free from internal troubles, the Samoan Islan should fot have a trade worth annually fifty times as much as the foregoing figures. The soil is rich and is covered with the most luxu- riant tropical vegetation. The hills are masses of timber right b= Jone their summits, most of the trees being of valuable varieties. Fruits such as only the tropics can produce are every: where—oranges, bananas, mulberries, cocoa- nuts, pineapples. limes, and bread fruit. Cot- ton grows to perfection there and sugar will pr r wherever planted. Coffee be made staple product. THE SAMOANS are really a fine-looking people, especially the men. They are tail, well proportioned, muscu- lar and red-headed, the latter peculiarity being due to the habit they have of applying lime to the hair asa cleanser. Their clothing is generally of the least elaborate description, and in the majority of cases consists simply of acloth or shawl twisted around the waist and failing to the knees or thereabouts. This gar- ment covers the elaborate tattooing which i found on every Samoan, and which is never seen above the waist nor below the knee. There is but one design and that is followed strictly in all cases, Samoan laws against tat- tooeing are very stringent, and violations are punishable’ by imprisonment and a heavy fine. The chiefs and principal men wear garlands of flowers around their necks and some of them indulge in the additional adornment imparted by a head-dress of leaves. The men dislike work, and they do as little as possible. This is probably due to the fact that there is but little labor needed to produce suf- ficient on which to live well. All thé labor on the big plantations is done by slaves, who are imported from the Salomon Islands and Fiji. ‘The women are small and not baé-looking. They are generallyclad, or rather half clad, as the men are; but there are three or four new styles of semi-Euro- pean costumes used by afew. The womenare also tattooed, but there is less of it than in the case of the men. Many of the natives 8 English, and as all religiously inclined Family ayers arise twice day, and Sunday of unbroken Nothing can be bought on that day. The churches are filled can NATIVE GIRL. are conducted princ pally by English Wesleyan Methodist mission- aries. The Samoans are very fond of music, and they sing with an enthusiasm that ogea~ sionally spoils the harmony. THR NATIVE DANCE. The Samoans have a peculiar variety of what they call dances, There is but little real danc- ing. however, for the performers are seated the greater part of the time. Elizabeth Scott | Parker thus describes some of the dances she | saw on the deck of an American man-of-war at Apia: “The dance 1s performed mostly in a sitting posture, and consists in all conceivable motions of the head, body and arms, the rear rows furnishing the music by clapping hands in various measures and in perfect time. The movements of the eight dancers were per- formed with the utmost precision and grace, and through it the whole party sang? Many of their wild melodies are really beautiful. Every figure of the dance has its significance. Some. loading and firing a gun, sewing, rowing, we alpable, but the greater part was unintelligi- Bie'to ux, ‘This performance continued for an hour or more, after which some plays were given, always accompanied by the weird sing- ing and clapping of hands. One play repre- sented dogs quarreling over a bone, and the deep growls and snarls of the men represent- | ing the big dogs, as well as the shrill bark of the chief's daughter, the little dog, were very | natural, as well as their action. Another represented a mother moaning over her dea baby, She was crying with one eye shut, aSa- moan custom, when the father coming in dis- covered the misfortune which had befallen his house. Thereupon his grief was even more violent than that of his spouse, and he indi- cated that nothing could solace him but rum. When he had gained sufficient control over his feelings heusked the mother what was the cause of the child’s death, and her reply created great merriment among the natives. She said it had died ‘waiting for the American man-of-war to come! The entertainment finished in a frenzy of motion, a throwing up of hands, a whirl of the body, and a hearty peal of laughter.” THE UNITED STATES INTERESTS. The question is frequently asked: “What in- terest has the United States in Samoa?” The interest is not a small one, Samoa is almost directly in the course of vessels running be- tween the Pacific coast and Australia and New Zealand. This line of commerce is growing very rapidly. and its proportions will soon be immense. The United States needs a port of call and a coaling station in Samoa, and if the kingdom is in the possession of one of the great European powers it would shut American vessels out in case of hostilities, and thus do irreparable damage to this country. If the | Nicaragua canal is completed Samoa will then be in the direct line of communication between Australia and Europe, and this will add enor- mously to the commercial and strategical value of the islands, England does not want them; | she has Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. The | United States does not want them; it only wants | to see them independent; it only asks that | Samoan autonomy be not disturbed or im- perilled. ‘The New President, Dr. Patton, is the | sentatives | C. B. Purviset al. to Marion P. Shadd, part PRINCETONIANS AT DINNER. Guest of the Alumni Association. President Patton, of Princeton college, was the guest last evening of the Princeton alumni association. Their eighteenth annual banquet and reunion was held at Welcker’s. The ven- erable pregident of the association, Dr. Harvey Lindsly, presided daring the early part of the evening, and then calling President J. C. Well- ing to the chair he smilingly excused on the ground that he has not so young as he used to be. He is one of the oldest living graduates of the college, having graduated in the year 1820, and his presence at these annual gatherings is appreciated by the members of the association over which he has presided for so many years, Mr. Justice Harlan and Repre- sentative W. C. Breckinri: of Kentucky, were also present as invited guests. Neither of these gentlemen are graduates of the col- lege, but. as President Patton observed in the cane | course of his speech, Justice Harlan had gradu- | a bottle will be sent y ated three sons from Princeton, and therefore ought to be considered an alumnus, So many members of the family of Representative Bre are graduates of Princeton that he is regarded as one her sons, He would have been sent to Princeton only, as_he explains his father did not thinh he amounted to enough to warrant the expense of his attending a sallags outside of his native state. President Patton made the speech of the evening. As the recent successor of Dr. Me- | Cosh and meeting with the association for the first time, his presence was regarded with pe- | culiar interest. His clear cut, incisive manner of speaking and his practical views made a_fa- vorable impression. He spoke of the develop- | ment ‘which was now in progress toward the | university idea, and expressed his approval of the policy of so directing the studies of junior and senior years as to afford the best help to students in the careers which they have in e Harlan made an e Representative who spoke with his ac and eloquence. President Welling. john H. Voorhees, Belknap, and Henry also responded to toast Appropriate resolutions were adopted in re- gard to the death of Robert Shellabarger, who was present at the last annual meeting. | those present were the following: John J. sted, T. W. Talmadge. Henry B. Munn, Robert | F. Thompson, J. Le ge. A. Porter Morse, Wm, Stone Abert, Jos, K. Me Joh Blair, Jas. M. Johusto ‘has. D. Fow- ler, W. B. Bryan, Edward 8, ‘almont, Galt D: , Walter A. Galt, Frank Presbrey, MeFee, Jos, H. Gulick, Frederick D. Mc! ney, and Henry Clay Stewart, The Shipping League Adjourns. At the afternoon meeting of the shipping league yesterday a resolution was adopted that appointments to the United States consular service should be made with more direct ref- erence to the needs of American commerce | and to the ability of the applicants for the de- velopment and distribution of our labor pro- ducts, | A mass meeting was held at Grand Army hail at 8 o'clock last night at which speeches | were made by Representatives Thomas, Far- quhar, Boutelle, and Spinola, and ex-Repre- Ellis, of Louisiana, and Money, of Mississippi, advocating legislative measures for the advancement of American commetce. The convention, after adopting resolutions, adjourned sine die. a Ha? Transfers of Real Estate. Deeds in fee have been filed as follows: | 14, section 7, Barry Farm; #160, 8. Bieber to | B. B. Earnshaw, part 26, sq. 995;$—. Susan A. Edson to Ellen A. Sutphen, part sub 11 $1,200. H. Jorg to A. Bliss, part 4, 8q. Funk to John Walter, j Ai Kate Flynn to | 1,500, | j hs parts Gizor and 3 Allen Mannix, sub 61, sq — Two Wills Filed. BEQUESTS OF GEN. RO ‘R JONES AND MRS, FAY- ETTE C. SNEAD. The will of the late n. Roger Jones was | filed yesterday. It bears the date of November 12 last, and is witne by H. Pelham Curtis and H. 8. Whipple. He bequeathes all his es- tate to his wife, Frederica Burckle Jones for her natural life. Should his daughters, Mary Campbell Wisner and Katherine, and son Lilew- ellyn, survive his wife, he gives three-sevent hs of the residuary estate to his daughter Kathe- rine and two sevenths to the otners, and he provides for a division should either of them die before the others. A commission was di- rected to prove the paper. The will of the late Mrs. Fayette C. Snead was also filed yesterday. It isdated August 10, 1888, and names her neice, Fayette R. Snead, daugh- | ter of C. S. Snead, as her heir and jomtexecator | with her father and brother, Udolpho. She j leaves a number of personal bequests, jewelry, | &c., to relatives. ae Raising a Stake. JAS. MCDONALD TRIES IT AND IS GIVEN NINETY DAYS. Jas. McDonald, a young man who lives with his parent, near 4th and I streets northeast, was inJudge Miller's court this morning for try- ing to “raise a stake” without performing any labor. He would like to be a member of the “Sons of Rest.” because he believes it is un- healthy to do any hard work. He has been tired for a long time, which has prevented his using any Potomac water, either on himself or his clothing, and when arraigned he presented the appearance of a person who lived in a mud house. Jim started out yesterday to get wealthy, andcalled on a resident of H street noftheast, “Lady,” he said, “please ma’am give me afew My mother has been dead for three ays, and Tam trying to get some money to bury her.” The young man then toid a sad story of his mother’s last illness. The lady pitied him, but his actions soon caused her to doubt his story, and she refused his request, whereupon he be- came angry, and began to abuse her. While thus engaged Policeman Crawford came along and arrested him. The policeman knew that Mrs. McDonald was well and hearty, and he placed Jim behind the bars at the sixth pre- Scotch Songs. AMELIE RIVES, I I.—MY LADDIE. Oh, my laddie, my laddie, 1 lo’e your very piaidie, 1lo’e your very bonnet Wi’ the silver buckle on it, Tlo’e your collie tarry, I lo'e the kent ye carry: But oh! it’s past my power to tell How much, how much I lo’e yoursel! HARPER'S.” Oh, my derrie, my dearie, I could luik an’ never weary At your een sae blue an’ laughin’, ‘That a heart o’ stane wad saiten, While your mouth sae proud an” curly Gars my heart gang tirlie-wirlie; But ob: yoursel, your very sel, 1lo’e ten thousand times as well! Oh, my darlin’, my darlin’ Let's gang amang the car! Let's loll upo’ the heather A’ this bonny, bonny weather; ¥e fauld me in your plaldie, MyAuve, my luve, my laddie; An’ close, an’ close into your ear T’'ll tell ye how I lo’e ye, dear. II.—LOVE’S GHOST. ‘The wan moon luiks fu’ patiently oot a scarf o' rainbow licht, Like a woman pale wi’ mony a grief Drest oot in colors bricht. in, ‘The clouds are fary winding sheets, ‘The trees grim han’sreached up in prayer, An’ the wind a ghaist that greets. Anither ghaist gangs at my side, ‘Wi’ eyes like stars, sad, sad wi His wastit han’s reach up in prayer, His sobs torment my ears. Pale ghaist o’ luve, gang on, gang on; ‘Why will ye ever haunt me sae? Ye area part o’ hours fled, A o’ yesterday. Iknow ye not. Flit, flit awa’; Your eyes like fires burn in my heart. Wraith 0’ fause luve, haunt not the leal; Tn true luve's nam —— Sar Tue Leacve Derexpep MurpErers.— Before the Parnell [Eee i t iH ll j E i F cinct. Jim had nothing tosay in his own be- half, and thought it was a rich joke when | Judge Miller said “ninety days.” j Mr. N. W. Firzcrrap Acgurrrep.—Yes- terday afternoon, im the Circuit Court, Nathan W. Fitzgerald was acquitted of the charge of perjury. It was alleged that Fitz- gerald filed an affidavit in a suit here based on a judgment in Indiana, in which he stated that he had not been served with process in Indiana; that he was not in the state, and there was no ‘his opinion of it in the following letter: New Yorx, Jan. 7, 1889, Mrs. Hareret Het al Amey HUBRARD AYER Having tried your ‘auniet Sarapari! rem edy for an Sty a the eer wetbene: Bently satisfactory and immediate resulta 1 take erent ES » be a perfect appetizer, household should keep « bottle of it on hand. I have not felt so well in years Bow, after fouly one bottle it ™ mere ure very respect ull ANTEL E. DOWLIN President Board of Aldermen, 1 Tf your draggiet docs pot have Recamier Tilla refuse all other Kinds and send one dollar to Mra, Harriet Hubbard Ayer, Park Place, New York, and free of express charges, Un- like other Sarsaperilias, it will not force out an erup- ion on the skin, it will not deplete the blood, but en- Tiches it while it purifies it at AUCTION SALES. [OR TEAGE SALE OF A VALUABLE FaRM IN PRIN IHORGE'S COUNTY, MD. By virtue of the contained in a from and wife to Mary Cor T. Spri jar ichte Lew, dated ith day of October, ISKS, and recorded Prince county, 1m ‘said land records of me’ BLN. ey and by the | ematumued to Ames a t among the Liber J. W Limequently as or arith, other Thomas i 1 . the atte trustee wider rt t the court house do TUESDAY, the N TSSH, at TW mortgage, and public ustomed | | THOMAS HILL, A med in said mortgage aud truster under Ment ttorney sand as WM. ST © PARM IN STAPF: NiA, ABOUT FOUR KS° STATION. ON THE DELICKSBURG RAL oO OND AND PRE TTIW S FROM STAR. D Alc COURTHOU TAINING 4% SS. irtue of 3 May, 1§SO, beri. F BB, SD. abd 14 ords for Stafford county, Ving deed dated Ayn Records for wai ree hundred and «, abd improved by fides, The fara uing and tarming y of trust on the purchaser with wit roperiy, « If the ay of sale the prop ie Fisk and cost of defaulting pur BROOKE B. WILLIAMS, Trastee. ; Kellogg Building, Washington, D.O* SES [HOMAS DOWLING, Auctioneer, - erty to chaser, VERY VALUABLE SOUTH SIDE © STREET NORTH On SATURD: FOUR O'CLOCK of the premises, I ‘will sell the east in square 218, with Jepth of 103 feet 7 inches, with an L-shaped lot of py 30 to not wide alley. This property is situated in one of the most valuable sections of the city and should command the attention of buyers and «peculators generally, ‘Terms, one-third cash, balance in one and two years With interest, and secured by a deed of trust on the Property sold, or all cash at the purchaser's option, A deposit of 825 recording and conveyancing at purchaser's Cost. THOMAS DOWLING. ‘IMPROVED PROPERTY ON x T, NEAR 15TH 12-7t Auctioncer, AWNBROKER’S AUCTION. ‘On MONT TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH, com ma at HALF-PAST SEVEN P.M, Ishall nell. at yu ution, all forfeited pledves up to date, consist- ing of Gold and Silver watches, Diamond and other Kings, Jewelry of all kinds, Silverware, Clocks, Mar- Tors, Sewing Machines, Guu and other goods too numerous t please take notice. C. A. ROOT, Auctioneer. (PHOMAS DOWLING, A Mst., Pawubroker. £2-3e° TRA CONTENTS OF RESIDENCE, No. 13 RIGGS STREET NORTHWEST, AT AUCTIC COMPRISING SQUARE PI vALNUT Pi LOR SUITE. PORTIERES . SELS, WALNUT © Ne EBOARD. DINING TA. AND CHAIRS. ICE CHINA, GLASSWARE, AND KITCHEN REQPISITES, &e- Ou THURSDAY, FEBRUARY SEVENTH, 1889, at EN O'CLOCK A’ M., at residence, 1309 Riggs street vext. I will sell above “THOMAS DOWLING, Auctioneer. UNCANSON BROS., Auctioneers. NEARLY NEW THREE STORY AND BASEW BRICK DWELLING. NO. 1718 THIRTEF. STREET, BETWEEN R AND RIGGS STREETS NORTH WEST. On FRIDAY A} FTERNOON, FEBRUARY EIGHTH, FIVE O'CLOCK, we will sell, in front of the prem se, and improved bye nearly-new brick dwelling (three stories and base- ment), 11 rooms and modern conveniences. This property is desirably located for a private residence or Inveatuieut, convenient to street car bnes, schools, and churches. Terms —#4,000 can remain on it for aterm of years at 6 percent per annum, the balance in cash. A de- fost ot #200 will be required at sale. Cow oe, urchaser’s cost. Terms to be comp wi in 40 dayn, otherwixe. the rirht reserved to resell, at the risk and cost of defaulting purchaser, after 5 days® public notice of such resale ih sotue uewepaper pub shed in Washington, D.C. DUNCANSON BROS. ft Auctioneer SUB LOT_99, SQUARE fronting 18 feet on 13th street, PROPOSALS. __ = ae TOOLS FOR GUN- Feb Bureau of Washington, FEBRUAKY 3 iz: : me ne machines, | gear cutter, 3 borizontal boring and drill- ing machines, 2 lathes, ] universal milling machine, ph im miRing machine. 6 Sering sod, = a fu inachine. Blank proposals, with specifications denctiy tions of the several tools, can be obtained a Storekeeper at authority given by him to anyone to accept service. The court charged the jury that the a cided by lot. The purpose of defendant was to show that no ade- quate judgment could have been had against him in Indiana, and he admitted that the state- ments were false, but at the time supposing that the suit commenced in December, 1882, had been ended he made aflidavit in good faith, believing that this was another action. The court said that the question was whether reject any proposal not deen Government, JAMES FULTON, 3 3 __FINANCIAL. Pee ‘W. CORSON. CORSON & MACARTNEY, the defendant was honest in making the afii- davit. If they believed that he made the afiidavit under the impression that the suit was another than the one cited they should acquit, otherwise convict. eaten THE COURTS. Crimrxat Court—Judae Montgomery. . Yesterday, John H. Simms, bigamy; motion for new trial filed. Nathan W. Fitzgerald, per- GLOVER BUILDING, 1419 F ST. N. W, Bankers and Dealers in Goverument Bonds, it investment securities. Gas, Insurance made of nate jury; verdict not guilty. Evert Gilbert, house- reaking: verdict guilty. W. H. Dade, embez- zlement; motion for new trial denied without prejudice. Circuit Count—Chief Justice Bingham, Yesterday, White & Co. agt. Harrison & Co.; verdict for defendant. Prozate Court—Judge Cor. Yesterday, estate of Jones; will filed letters of omen pane Estate of John F, Linkins; D! rtit TEETH FILLED Seat of uusterial, ot 1320 Ht at aw beara thee ment gt from 1 to 5 p.m. a $eaPbowberl Jee = ‘ARR PARSONS, DENTIST, ‘ST. COR. Cu. ro? '5 ‘Weeth extracted De cia Ee