Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1019

 BOOKS OF KEFERENCE ON GERMAN DEPENDENCIES 897

exports, 9,377,831 marks. The chief export is phosphate (8,561,000 marks in 1910).

6. Samoan Islands. — Among German dependencies are included Savaii and Upolu, the largest of the Samoan or Navigator Islands. By the Anglo- German Agreement of November 14, 1899, ratified by the United States in January, 1900, Great Britain renounced all rights over the islands in favour ol Germany as regards Savaii and Upolu, and in favour of the United States as regards Tutuila and other islands. Under the German Imperial Governor there is a native High Chief with a native council, the several districts being administered by chiefs. Justice is administered by native as well as European judges and magistrates.

Savaii has an area of about 660 square miles, Upolu 340 square miles. Both islands are mountainous, fertile, and well watered. Several adjacent islets, exceedingly fertile and populous, are included in the German de- pendency. The port of Apia is in Upolu. There is a Government Council containiug 8 unofficial members (3 of whom are British) chosen by the Governor from among the settlers. In Apia there is a central and also a district Court. 27 Europeans and 452 natives Avere convicted in these Courts (1910). The inhabitants of the islands are Polynesians, nominally Christian (Protestant, Catholic, and Mormon), but native super- stitions are prevalent. Population 1910, 34,480, distributed as follows: — Upolu, Manono and Apolima, 20,662; Savaii, 12,816. There were in 1911 490 white inhabitants (284 German, 106 British) ; also 1,354 Chinese and 1,003 non-native inhabitants of mixed race. There is a German Government school with 201 pupils, and mission schools with over 8,000 pupils. There are 60 miles of good roads. The revenue and expenditure for 1911 Avere estimated at 950,000 marks. Trade is- in the hands of German, British and American firms. Except in the ' Plantation District ' Europeans may not lease land from natives, and cannot buy land from natives excej)t formerly leased. The Governor's consent is required for sale or lease of land in the ' Plantation District,' about 7 sq. miles, and the purchase or lease of other lands must be with the Government. Natives cannot contract debts with Europeans. The staple product is copra. Rubber trees are being planted. Imports (1911) : 4,066,238 marks ; exports, 4,389,983 marks. The imports are chiefly haberdashery, kerosene, provisions, &c., mainly from Australia and New Zealand. The chief exports are copra and cocoa beans. In 1911, 68 vessels of 115,103 tons (exclusive of coasters and ships of war) entered at the port of Apia (of these 62 with a tonnage of 112,516 were British), and 67 vessels with a tonnage of 114,085 cleared (62 of these with a tonnage of 112,516 were British). Regular steam communication with New Zealand. Wireless stations have been erected at Apia, in Samoa, and Nauru (or Pleasant Island, one of the Marshall Islands), respectively. . Two other stations are planned — at Rabaul in New Guinea, and on Yap, one of the Caroline Islands.

The currency is in marks but English and American gold and silver coin are legal tender : 1^. = 20 "42 marks ; 5 U.S. dollars = 20*95 marks.

British Acting Vice-consul at Apia. — T. Trood.

Books of Reference on German Dependencies.

1. German Dependencies Generally. Budgetof the German Protectorates. Annual. Berlin.

Die deutschen Schutzgebiete hrg. vom Reichskolonialamt. Annual. Berlin. Deutsche Kolonialzeitung, Organ der Deutschen Kolouialgesellschaft. (Berlin fort- nightly).

Deutscher Kolonial-Kalender. Berlin. Annual. Deutsches Kolonialblatt. Berlin.

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