Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/708

 580 UNITED STATES : — SAMOAN ISLANDS

SAMOAN ISLANDS.

(Amekican Samoa.)

The Island of Tutuila and all other islands of the Samoan group east of longitude 171 degrees west came into the possession of the United States in February, 1900. For many years American influence had been strong in Samoa. In 1872 the harbour of Pagopago, in Tutuila, had been ceded to the United States for a naval and coaling station. In 1878 this cession was confirmed, and rights of freedom of trade and extra-territorial jurisdiction in Samoa were granted. In 1889 was held at Berlin the conference between the representatives of the United States, Germ.any, and Great Britain, resulting in the treaty recognising the Samoan Islands as neutral territory with an independent government, the nativ.s being allowed to follow their own laws and customs, while for civil and criminal causes in which foreigners were concerned, there was established a Supreme Court of Justice, in which an American citizen was the presiding judge. This arrangement continued till 1898, when disturbances regarding the right of succession to the office of king arose. In 1899 the kingship was abolished, and by the Tripartite Treaty of November 14 of that year, accepted in February, 1900, by the United States, Great Britain and Germany renounced in favour of the United States all rights over the island of Tutuila and the other islands of the Samoan group east of 171 degrees longitude west of Greenwich, the islands to the west of that meridian being assigned to Germany. The harbour of Pagopago had, in fact, been occupied by the United States, under already existing treaty rights, in 1898.

The Island of Tutuila, 70 miles from Apia, has an area of about 54 square miles, with a population of 5,452. Manua and the other islets (Ofu and Olosega), have a united area of about 25 square miles, with about 1,797 inhabitants. Tutuila is mountainous, luxuriantly wooded and fertile. It is described as the most pleasing of the Samoan islands. The harbour at Pagopago which penetrates the south coast like a fiord, is the only good harbour in Samoa. It is a United States naval station under a Commandant, the Government having acquired there a land area of about 40 acres.

The Commandant is also the Go^-ernor of Tutuila by commission from the President. He appoints officers and frames laws or ordinances, but native customs (not inconsistent with United States laws) are not changed without the consent of the people.

The islands are organised in 3 political divisions:—!, the Eastern District of Tutuila with the islet of Aunuu; 2, the Western district of Tutuila ; and 3, the District of Manua and the neighbouring isles. In each District there is a native governor under whom are native high chiefs in the 'counties,' these having the control of village chiefs. Judicial power is vested in village courts, in 5 judicial district courts, and in a high court

Ordinances have been made for the regulation of police, the importation of spirits, assessment of taxes, possession of arms, and other matters. The sale of native lands to whites is prohibited. Especial attention is given to the general health of the natives. Systematic efforts to eradicate the hookworm