American Samoa, a general report by the governor
American Samoa. Naval governor, 1910-1913 (William M. Crose) | American Samoa. Naval governor, 1921- (Waldo Evans) | United States. Navy Dept
X>0 fc\7 if \n3 u-lia fc "#^< ,pp * J^*?W if r Sv% ¥$k, r* •'i#-1(H**L iiV* -vC?*;'%it ^jisrftf. ; ^fc ; ^1^ J*^ : ^l* r *<*&&%*' Darnell 3ltntoer0itg Slibrarg 3thaca, Sein fork FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS V 506 Rev. Stat, prohibits the withdrawal of this book (or home 1 s: < '37 fMTfc cot ; i '3? J */? *» ?x r:7 Cornell University Library DU 817.A5 1922 American Samoa. 3 1924 028 692 543 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028692543 o a o o AMERICAN SAMOA A GENERAL REPORT BY THE GOVERNOR WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1922 Fa .'NIVI'. Ui; I i Y I. f I? U /», H Y -5=7*6- l\5\SZ^\ I'M LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Government House, Pago Pago, American Samoa, May 1, 1921. From : Government Commandant. To : The Secretary of the Navy. Via : The Chief of Naval Operations. Subject : Report for information of the general public on American Samoa. 1. In compliance with the letter of the Chief of Naval Operations of 'February 3, 1921, there is submitted herewith a general report on conditions in American Samoa. 2. This publication is a revision and enlargement of the report made by the Governor Commandant, Capt. W. M. Crose, 1912. W. Evans, Captain, U. S. Navy. 3 AMERICAN SAMOA. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. The Samoan group of islands extends in latitude from 13° 26' south to 14° 22' south, and in longitude from 169° 29' west to 172° 48' west. American Samoa comprises the " Island of Tutuila and all other islands of the Samoan group east of longitude 171° west of Green- wich." The islands of American Samoa from east to west are : Rose Island, Tau, Olosega, Ofu, Tutuila. and Aunuu. The islands of Tau, Olosega, and Ofu are generally known as " the Manua group," and the island of Aunuu is embraced in the name "Tutuila." Eose Island is a coral atoll, uninhabited, and of practically no value. The islands of western Samoa are : Upolu, Savaii, and the small and rather insignificant islands Apolina and Manono, lying between the other two islands. Upolu is the most important island of western Samoa, although Savaii is the largest. The island of Upolu has always been the most important island of the group, politically and commercially. The Samoan kings lived there, and the most important wars were waged on that island, although the other islands were also often the scene of hostilities. It was customary for Tutuila and Savaii to send warriors to Upolu to take part in the general wars. From very early days the Manua group held aloof from the other islands and did not take part in their politics or wars. It had its own king, Tuimanua, and an independent government. The location of Tutuila will be better understood from the follow- ing table of distances : Distance from Pago Pago to — Miles. San Francisco 4. 160 San Diego 4, 190 Panama 4, 900 Punta Arenas 5, 197 Hongkong 4. S6S Yokohama 4. 072 Honolulu 2.263 Auckland. New Zealand 1.536 Sydney. New South Wales 2.370 Suva, Fiji 612 Apia, western Samoa 77 HISTORICAL RETROSPECT. Very little is known of the early history of the Samoan Islands. The earliest notice we have of them is the visit of the Dutch " Three 6 AMERICAS" SAMOA. Ship Expedition," under Roggewein, in 1722. The French explorers followed — Bougainville in 1768 and La Perouse in 1787. During the visit of the latter at the small village of Asu, in Tutuila, a boat's crew of the Frenchmen and M. de Langle, one of the officers, were massa- cred while on shore. In 1791 the British war vessel Pandora, visited the islands. In 1830 the London Missionary Society established a mission in one of the Samoan Islands, and followed that up by extensive opera- tions in all the islands. The United States exploring expedition, under the command of Lieut. Charles Wilkes, United States Navy, made the first scientific investigations in the islands, in 1839. This expedition, composed of six vessels, was equipped for the particular purpose of surveying and exploring the unfrequented islands of the South Seas. A staff of competent civilian scientists was on board, and the ships (all naval vessels) were prepared for accurate survey work. The surveys then made of the Samoan Islands, though necessarily hurried ones, were for many years the basis of our charts. The latest survey of the islands of American Samoa was completed in 1920, and charts from this survey will shortly be issued. As early as 1850 England, Germany, and the United States were represented by commercial agents in Apia, Samoa. During the next 20 years Germans and Englishmen were more forward than the Americans in establishing trading stations, acquiring land, and devel- oping intimate relations with the natives. Americans took very little interest in Samoa at this time. In 1872 Commander Richard W. Meade. United States Navy, commanding the IT. S. S. Narragansett, visited Pago Pago, and made an agreement with Mauga, the highest chief of Tutuila, in which Mauga expressed his desire for the friendship and protection of the United States, and granted to the United States the exclusive privi- lege of establishing a naval station in Pago Pago Harbor. Com- mander Meade made this treaty on his own responsibility. In May, 1872, President Grant communicated this agreement to the Senate, saying that he would not hesitate to recommend its approval, but for the protection to which it seemed to pledge the United States, which was not in accord with the foreign policy of our Government. The Senate took no action on the agreement. Xaval officers had long recognized the strategic value of Pago Pago, with its magnificent harbor and its situation at the crossroads of the Pacific trade routes from North America to Australia and from Panama and South America to the Orient, and that a coaling station afr this point would be of inestimable value to the United States. ;Vln 1873. in response to a public demand for more information about the Samoan Islands, the Department of State sent Col. A. B. Stein- berger as special agent to the Samoan Islands, to report upon their condition, which report was submitted in the latter part of the year 1873 and transmitted to Congress in April, 1874. Steinberger was sent back to Samoa a second time, carrying a letter from the President and some presents to the chiefs of Samoa, his official relations with the United States being severed when the letter and the presents were delivered. Steinberger formed a government for Samoa, of which he became premier (practically "dictator"). It was said, and probably with cause, that Steinberger had promised AMERICAN SAMOA. 7 the Samoans the protection of the United States. The State Depart- ment, in answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives, March 28, 1876, transmitted all the correspondence in Steinberger's case to Congress, and repudiated any agreement which Steinberger may have made with Samoa as without authority. In 1876 Steinberger's government fell into difficulties with the foreign Governments at Apia, particularly that of England, and he was deported in the English gunboat Barracouta — Capt. Stevens commanding — in an arbitrary and illegal manner. Capt. Stevens resigned his commission after an investigation into his conduct. The government of Steinberger was the best the Samoans had ever had. It collapsed after his deportation. In 1877 the chiefs of all Samoa sent Mamea as ambassador ito the United States to conclude a treaty, hoping at least to obtain the pro- tection of the United States. He was unsuccessful in this particular object, as the people of the United States were not ready to assume such serious obligations. In January, 1878, Mamea concluded a treaty of friendship and commerce at Washington, the first treaty ever entered into by Samoa, and which contained formal definition of the relations of the United States to the Samoan Group : Naval vessels of the United States shall have the privilege of entering and using the port of Pago Pago and establishing therein and on the shores thereof a station for-coal and other naval supplies for their naval and commercial marine, and the Samoan Government will hereafter neither exercise nor authorize any jurisdiction within said port adverse to such rights of the United States or restrictive thereof. The fifth article provided that should any difference arise between Samoa and another Government at peace with the United States, "the Government of the latter will employ its good offices for the purpose of adjusting those differences upon a satisfactory and solid foundation." The United States here made the first departure from its policy of avoiding entanglements with foreign Governments, which entangle- ments, as a matter of fact, came very quickly. The treaty was rati- fied by both the United States and Samoa during the year 1878. In 1879 treaties were concluded between Germany and Samoa and between England and Samoa, by which Germany was granted a coaling station at Saluafata, Upolu, and England was granted one at a place to be later determined. The treaties were otherwise much similar to the one concluded by the United States. In 1885 Dr. Stuebul, the German consul general, took possession of all the land within the municipality of Apia, in the name of his Government, which action was the cause of much disorder. In con- formity with our treaty with Samoa, "to employ its good offices," proposals were made to Germany and England for them to authorize their diplomatic representatives in Washington to consult with the Secretary of State with a view to the establishment of order. A con- ference was held at Washington in June and July, 1887, which was adjourned in July until autumn in order to allow the foreign ministers to consult with their home Governments, it being under- stood that in the meantime the status quo would be preserved. Almost immediately after the adjournment the German Government, through its representatives in Samoa, declared war on the Samoan King, Malietoa, who was dethroned and deported ; Tamasese was de- 8 AMERICAN SAMOA. clarecl to be King, with Brandeis, a German, as adviser. This action of Germany," declared to be a lack of consideration of the United States, aroused adverse feeling in our country. In September, 1888, many of tlie Samoan people revolted against Tamasese and chose Mataafa- as King, and a war ensued. The Ger- mans in Samoa deported Tamasese. The feeling in the United States against Germany was accentuated. Five hundred thousand dollars were appropriated by Congress for the protection of the interests of the United States. The American squadron in Samoa was re- enforced. On March 15, 1889, there were gathered in the harbor of Apia the American ships Trenton (the flagship of Bear Admiral Kimberly), Vandcitia, and Nipsic; the British ship Calliope; the German ships Adler, Eber, and Olga. A hurricane developed on that day, and by the evening of March 16 only one of those seven vessels remained afloat — the Calliope, which by her superior power and by magnificent seamanship was enabled to put to sea in the face of the hurricane. The frightful disaster did much to bring about a settlement of Samoan affairs. On June 14, 1889, the Berlin general act was concluded, and was later agreed to by Samoa. This act, after declaring the independence and neutrality of the Samoan Islands, and stipulating for the pro- visional recognition of Malietoa Laupepa as King, provided for the establishment of a government. The principal feature of the Gov- ernment was a supreme court, the chief justice to be appointed by the three powers, or, failing agreement, by the King of Norway and Sweden. A municipal government for Apia was provided, and also a land commission, to settle the very troublesome questions of titles to lands. From the Samoan standpoint the new Government Avas not a suc- cess from the start, caused in some degree by the dilatory methods of the first chief justice. The strained relations between the German residents and the British and American residents of Upolu continued. The Mataafa party was never reconciled to the recognition of Malietoa Laupepa as King. War broke out in 1893, Mataafa rebelling against the authority of King Malietoa, and many lives were sacrificed. Mataafa,' with 12 chiefs, was deported to the German Island of Jaluit, the three powers concurring and sharing in the expense of maintenance. The Mataafa followers still maintained an organiza- tion, however, and were ready to rebel again when opportunity offered. In 1898 King Malietoa died. By agreement among the powers, made before the death of Malietoa, Mataafa was brought back to Samoa very shortly after Malietoa's death occurred, he having signed an agreement to abide by the law of Samoa and not to engage in hos- tilities against the Government. The Berlin general act had made provision that the successor to the King should be selected by the Samoans according to their customs, and, failing a selection, that the chief justice of Samoa should decide as to which claimant should be King, this decision to be final. The method of selecting a King was not set forth. The Samoans could not come to any agreement as to the successor of Malietoa; there was no provision in Samoan customs that the majority should rule. The followers of Malietoa Tanu and of Mataafa, the rival claimant, were armed and ready for war. AMERICAN SAMOA.„ 9 After some months of this uncertainty, the decision was referred to the chief justice, who decided in favor of Malietoa Tanu. Mataafa proclaimed himself King, and opened hostilities, abetted more or less openly by the Germans, who refused to recognize Malietoa. Mataafa gained the ascendancy and the consuls of the three powers recognized a temporary provisional government under Mataafa. This step was taken by the consuls to avoid further bloodshed. The United States flagship Philadelphia, Rear Admiral Albert Kautz in command, arrived in Apia in March, 1899. At a conference between officers commanding the naval vessels of the three powers and the consuls it was decided that Mataafa must withdraw from Apia and cease hostilities, and that Malietoa Tanu was legally the King. The German consul general and the officer commanding the German cruiser Falke dissented, and openly opposed by proclamation the orders issued by Admiral Kautz. In the hostilities which ensued Mataafa's forces and villages were shelled by the American and British men-of-war. On April 1, 1899, a force of marines and sailors from those vessels was ambushed near Apia while attempting to destroy some native villages, and two American officers, one British officer, two American sailors, and one British sailor were killed and five men were wounded. Other casualties among the combined forces took place, sentinels being killed by the natives. When this news reached home the three powers decided to send a commission of three men, one from each power, to Samoa to take over the Government temporarily and restore peace. The American commissioner was Mr. Bartlett Tripp. The commission arrived in Apia on May 13, 1899, and immediately set about restoring order. The hostile Samoan armies laid down their arms, the commission agreeing to purchase all guns turned in. Both Malietoa Tanu and Mataafa agreed to abide by the decisions of the commission. At the request of the commission Malietoa resigned the kingship, and it was decided that there should be no King until the powers made some further agreement. A successful provisional government was formed and peace was restored. The three powers then decided that the only way to govern the Samoan Islands was to divide them among the powers — England, Germany, and the United States. England and Germany made a separate agreement, by which England surrendered her claim to one of the islands upon Germany's surrendering to England certain islands in the Solomon group. A convention was made between Germany, the United States, and Great Britain, and was ratified by the Senate February 13, 1900. It provides as follows : Article I. The general act concluded and signed by the aforesaid powers at Berlin on the 14th day of June, A. D 1889, and all previous treaties, conventions, and agreements relating to Samoa are annulled. Art. II. Germany renounces in favor of the United States of America all her rights and claims over and in respect to the island of Tutuila and all other islands of the Samoan group east of longitude 171° west of Greenwich. Great Britain in like manner renounces in favor of the United States of America all her rights and claims over and in respect to the island of Tutuila and all other islands of the Samoan group east of longitude 171° west of Green- wich. Reciprocals, the United States of America renounce in favor of Germany all their rights and claims over and in respect to the islands of Upolu and Savaii 57250—22 2 10 AMERICAN SAMOA. and all other islands of the Samoan group west of longitude 171° west of Green- wich. Art. III. It is understood and agreed that each of the three signatory powers shall continue to enjoy, in respect to the'.r commerce and commercial vessels, in all the islands of the Samoan group privileges and conditions equal to ' those enjoyed by the sovereign power, in all ports which may be open to the commerce of either of them. Abt. IV. The present convention shall be ratified as soon as possible, and shall come into force immediately after the exchange of ratifications. On February 19, 1900, an Executive order was signed by the President, reading as follows: The island of Tutuila, of the Samoan group, and all other islands of the group east of longitude 171° west of Greenwich, are hereby placed under the control of the Department of the Navy for a naval station. The Secretary of the Navy shall take such steps as are necessary to establish the authority of the United States and to give to the islands the necessary protection. The Secretary of the Navy, on the same date, issued an order as follows : The island of Tutuila, of the Samoan group, and all other islands of the group east of longitude 171° west of Greenwich, are hereby established into a naval station, to be known as the Naval Station, Tutuila, and to be under the command of a commandant. POLITICAL STATUS. B. F. Tilley, commander, United States Navy, was the first com- mandant. His orders contained the following clause : While your position as commandant will invest you with authority over the islands in the group embraced within the limits of the station, you will at all times exercise care to conciliate and cultivate friendly relations with the natives. This same clause occurs in the orders of the successive commandants to the present 'day. Beginning with 1905, the commandant, upon nomination by the Secretary of the Navy, has been given by the President of the United States a commission as governor, and his authority in civil matters is derived therefrom. The islands have been known officially as " Naval Station, Tutuila," but the Navy Department has now adopted the name "American Samoa," by which name they are now called. The first commandant drew up a form of government by " Regu- lations." Regulation No. 5, of May 1, 1900, is "A declaration con- cerning the form of government for the United States Naval Station, Tutuila." This regulation describes the form of government and judicial administration and is still in force with amendments. The Navy Department does not give its approval of the regulations issued by the governor. It will be noticed that although England and Germany renounced all claim to the islands of American Samoa, the United States did not necessarily thereby acquire sovereignty over those islands, for their independence had hitherto been recongized by the three powers. However, on April 17, 1900, the chiefs of Tutuila made a formal cession of their island to the United States, arid on July 15, 1904, the chiefs of Manua recognized the authority of the United States over AMEKICAN SAMOA. 11 their islands. These cessions were never acted upon by Congress, but they were accepted by the President, letters and presents be bur sent in acknowledgment. In 1903 full information as to the conditions in American Samoa was furnished to Congress, but that body failed to legislate for the islands and has never defined their political status. By decisions of the various departments rendered from time to time the following points as to the status of American Samoa are established : It is not foreign but domestic territory. Customs duties may be collected in the United States on goods shipped from American Samoa unless tliey are certified to be products of the islands or goods on which duty has been collected in those islands. The same customs duties may be collected on importations from the United States as on importations from other countries, in conformity with the con- vention, Article III. Samoans are not " citizens of the United States," but owe allegiance to the flag. A'essels owned by Samoans are not entitled to registry but are entitled to fly the flag. " Neither the Constitution nor the laws of the United States lave been ex- tended to them, and the only administrative authority existing in them is that derived mediately or immediately from the' President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States." (Opinions of the Attorney General, vol. 25.) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. All of the Samoan Islands are of volcanic formation, having been probably thrown up from the ocean bed by some mighty convulsion of nature. All are mountainous. The Island of Tutuila, of irregular shape, is about 18 miles long and from 5 to 6 miles wide in the widest part. It is estimated that it contains 40.2 square miles of land. A mountain ridge extends nearly the whole length of the island, with spurs on each side, and with indentations of deep valleys. The aspect is extremely rugged, but more so in the eastern than in the western part. There is very little level land except at the foot of the mountains along the coast, and with the exception of a broad fertile plain in the southwestern j>art of the island. On this plain are several villages of importance and extensive cultivations of coconut trees. The north side is bold and precipitous, with a few level spaces here and there, barely large enough to support a village. The mountains are wooded to the top, the whole island being a mass of tropical vegetation, extremely beautiful to the eye of the traveler. Pago Pago Bay, the safest and best harbor in the South Seas, has its entrance to the southward and nearly cuts the island in twain. It is formed in the crater of an immense volcano, the south side broken away and open to the sea. About a mile from the harbor mouth it turns sharply to the westward, giving the harbor the appearance of. the foot of a stocking, with the United States naval station situated on the instep, facing north and entirely sheltered from seaward. The sea can not be seen from ships at anchor inside the harbor, the ships lying quietly in smooth water during the heaviest gales. High mountains encompass the harbor, villages nestling comfortably on the narrow strip of level land along the shore. Pago Pago, the most 12 AMERICAN SAMOA. important village of the island, is at the extreme toe of the stocking, to follow the simile. Fagatogo lies behind the naval station. Aua, Lepua, and other small villages are on the north shore. The harbor is well buoyed and lighted and may be safely entered by the largest vessels by night or day. Other harbors of importance, with villages of the same names, are Leone and Fagaitua on the south side and Fagasa and Masefau on the north side; but, with the exception of Leone, these harbors are of little value. In the center of the island of Tutuila rises Matafao Peak, 2,141 feet in height — sharp, narrow, and symmetrical. Mount Alava, 1,608 feet, and Mount Pioa, 1,717 feet in height, mark the mountain chain to the northward and eastward of Pago Pago Bay. Mount Tuaolo (or Olotele), 1,639 feet, is the highest mountain of the western part of the island. Tau. of the Manua Group, 60 miles east of Tutuila, 14 square miles in area, is cone shaped, the center being about 2,000 feet in height. Its southern and eastern coasts rise abruptly from the sea. The principal villages, Luma and Suifaga. are on the west coast, on ah open roadstead. Near by is the village of Faleasao, on a small bay, giving an excellent anchorage during the southeast trade winds. Olosega is approximately 3i miles from Tau, to the westward. There are two small villages on this island. Ofu is separated from Olosega by a narrow passage, easily forded. It also has two villages. Both of these islands are rugged and mountainous, but there is enough land to support the small population. The combined area of the two islands is 3.7 square miles. CLIMATE. The climate is tropical. The southeast winds blow strongly from May until November ; during the other months of the year the winds are variable, frequently from the west and northwest. Severe gales and occasional hurricanes have been experienced. In March, 1889, when the ships of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany were gathered in the harbor at Apia, six of the seven vessels were driven on the reef by a violent whirlwind, where they met complete destruction, entailing a great loss of life. In January, 1915, the islands of the Manua Group were visited by the severest storm in their history. The loss of life was small, but there was great destruction of property. The churches, schoolhouses, stores, and most of the huts of the natives were blown down. The greater part of the coconut and breadfruit trees and banana and taro plants were destroyed. Food became very scarce, and Congress appropriated $10,000 and the Eed Cross Society $2,000 for the relief of the people of these islands. In addition to this, the natives of .Tutuila gave large quantities of taro and other foodstuffs. About half of the people of Manua were brought to Tutuila in order to re- lieve the situation. The rainy season extends from December to March. February shows the greatest, average rainfall, 24.1 inches ; August the least, 7.8 inches. The average ye'arly rainfall for 20 years in Pago Pago has been 195.5 inches. The year 1908 shows the greatest rainfall, 284.4 inches, and the year 1905 the least, 130.05 inches. The temperature is AMEEIC'AN SAMOA. 13 highest during the summer months, December to February; coolest during the winter months, June to August. December shows the highest average temperature for 20 years, 82.4° F., and June the lowest average temperature, 79.7°. The highest temperature is about 88° and the lowest is about 68°. See Appendix H and Appendix I for detailed data on temperature and rainfall. In the harbor of Pago Pago there is much rain. Mount Peoa the eastern side of the bay being called the " Rainmaker " from its habit of precipitating the moisture out of every passing cloud. This climate, where there is so little variation of temperature from day to day, together with the limited diversions, affects people from temperate zones according to their temperamental adaptability to tropical conditions. Those persons who abstain from overindulgence in intoxicants, and who do not attempt too great physical or mental activities during the middle of the clay, can remain here for many years with little or no harmful effects. Others, who attempt the same strenuous methods of living to which they were accustomed in colder climates, soon complain of increasing irritability and forgetfulness, with more or less physical breakdown. Such persons are likely to find a return to a temperate climate advisable after about two years. GOVERNMENT. The seat of government is at the naval station in Pago Pago Bay. The governor is at the head of the government. He is also the com- mandant of the naval station and commands the station ship. The secretary of native affairs, an executive official, has cognizance of all native affairs and native officials, acting under the direction of the gov- ernor. The position of chief customs officer is held by a naval officer, so appointed by the governor. The public works officer of the naval station acts in the same capacity in the island government, and as such is superintendent of roads. The captain of the yard, or executive officer of the naval station, is sheriff and responsible for the public safety. The island treasurer is a naval supply officer, who also acts as general storekeeper of the naval station. The public health officer is the senior medical officer, who, in addition to his naval duties, has direct charge of the Samoan Hospital and outlying dispensaries and is responsible for quarantine regulations and the sanitary conditions of the islands. The navy chaplain is superintendent of education for the island government. American Samoa is divided into three general administrative divisions — Eastern District of Tutuila, Wastern District of Tutuila, and Manua District — these corresponding to the Samoan political divisions which have existed from early days. Each district is administered by a native district governor appointed by the governor, The districts are divided into counties, each administered by a county chief. These are also very ancient political divisions, each ruled by one high chief. The county chiefs are appointed by the governor, but the selection is limited, as the office is usually given to the chief whose name entitles him to it by Samoan custom — an hereditary position which is held during good behavior. District governors are chosen from the rank of county chiefs. Each village is controlled by a village chief, " pulenuu," elected annually- and appointed by the governor if the selection is approved. 14 AMERICAN SAMOA. The village councils are composed of the " matais " (heads of fami- lies) in each village, and each is presided over by the village chief, except on occasions of the election of the village chief when the vil- lage magistrate presides. The suffrage is restricted to the " matais," in accordance with the Samoan custom, whereby the family, not the individual; is the unit of society. The district governor, county chiefs, and village chiefs have each a policeman, who acts as messenger and assists in keeping order. Laws are enacted by the governor. The annual fono (general meeting) is held the latter part of each year, to which all parts of the islands send delegates. The people are notified in advance and have preliminary district meetings in which are discussed matters to be presented at the annual fono and in which petitions are prepared. At the fono matters of general interest are discussed, new laws or changes in existing laws are recom- mended, and information is asked and given regarding all matters connected with the administration of the government. A monthly newspaper, " O le Fa'atonu," is the government gazette, containing all new regulations and instructions, together with information of local interest. LAWS. The codification of the laws, regulations, and orders for the gov- ernment of American Samoa were carefully revised by Albert M. Noble, judge of the high and district courts, by order of and under the supervision of Capt. Waldo Evans, United States Navy, governor, early in 1921 and printed in book form in both the English and Samoan languages. This is the first bound edition ever given to the Samoans in their native tongue. The organic law of American Samoa is regulation No. 5 of 1900, "A declaration concerning the form of government for the United States naval station, Tutuila." This provides that the laws of the United States be in force unless expressly modified ; that the Samoan customs, not in conflict with the law, shall be preserved; that the Samoans shall retain their village, county, and district councils who meet to recommend laws, and who are charged with the cleanliness of the villages, counties, and districts, the planting of lands, the making of roads, and matters of local interest. Political divisions are established and administrative native officials are provided for as described in the preceding section. The judicial power is vested in a high court, district courts, and village courts, and the jurisdiction of each is defined. The office of secretary of native affairs is established and his duties defined. This organic law has been found to be generally satisfactory and has been subject to but slight amendment. Some of the other laws as passed from time to time are as follows : Customs regulations provide for specific duties on spirits, tobacco, jewelry, etc., and an ad valorem duty of 15 per cent on general merchandise. The free list comprises fresh meats, vegetables, fruit, live animals, and printed matter. A tabulated list of customs duties will be found in Appendix A. AMERICAN SAMOA. 15 Pago Pago is made the only port of call or entry in American Samoa. All incoming freight must be delivered to the customs department, which receives the freight in the customs warehouse and delivers it to the consignees. A small handling fee is charged. The importation and manufacture of intoxicating liquors is pro- hibited. The importation of firearms or ammunition by anyone is pro- hibited unless a special license is granted by the governor. Natives are allowed only shotguns for sporting purposes, the number allowed in each village being in proportion to the population. Licenses are collected semiannually from persons engaged in the various occupations, and also from stores and warehouses. Most of the persons who pay licenses do not pay taxes. Taxes are assessed by the governor on the loth of November for the following year. The procedure for apportioning and col- lecting the taxes is also provided for. All vessels departing from American Samoa bound to the United States or any insular possession shall declare a manifest at the cus- tomhouse of cargo taken on in American Samoa. The importation of opium is forbidden; likewise the importation of all drugs and patent medicines, unless specifically approved by the health officer. Dogs shall be registered and wear a license tag. The fees are: Males, $1 per year; females,. $2 per year. Stallions and bulls for breeding purposes must be registered and licensed. No animals except domestic animals shall be imported without special permission, and a certificate must accompany such animals from the port of departure showing that the animals have no dis- ease, and that no contagious or infectious disease exists among the animals of that class in the country whence shipped. Passengers without visible means of support shall not be landed. Persons desiring to remain in American Samoa shall deposit $100 with the customs officer, to be returned upon the departure of the passenger or after a residence of one year. It is prohibited for the master of any vessel to discharge any member of his crew unless ar- rangements are made for maintenance and removal. The alienation of native land is prohibited. Foreigners may lease land for a period not exceeding 40 years. The lease must be approved by the governor. The marriage laws provide for publication of notice of intention to marry for a period of two weeks. Foreigners must obtain a certifi- cate from the governor that they are free to marry according to the laws of the land. Licenses to marry are issued by district judges. Marriages may be performed by clergymen or district judges and must be recorded in the marriage register ; the fees to be charged are fixed by law. The divorce laAvs provide the following grounds for divorce : Adul- tery, previous existing marriage, habitual cruelty, desertion for one year or upward, and sentence to imprisonment for 10 years or more. The court has no jurisdiction unless the applicant has been a resident for at least one year. Hearings are held in the district courts, and the proceedings are sent to the high court for decisions. 16 AMEKICAN SAMOA. The Sunday law prohibits working or doing business on Sunday, with necessary exceptions, and also prohibits the disturbance of re- ligious services. Religious freedom is provided for. No person shall be anywise molested, punished, disquieted, or called into question for any dif- ference of opinion or belief in matters of religion. Gambling and lotteries are prohibited. The important criminal offenses are defined and punishments estab- lished. Compulsory vaccination is provided for. The registration of births, deaths, and marriages, the adoption of children and the registration of a "matai" name, all are made com- pulsory. The law of eminent domain provides for the condemnation and acquisition of private land for the use of the United States Govern- ment. A permit to build must be secured before erecting any building of foreign construction. Natives may not enter into contracts for more than $25 or con- tracts to labor for a period exceeding one month unless the contract be in writing approved by the governor. The position of registrar of titles is provided for and instruments must be filed for registration. The currency of the United States is the only legal tender. Gov- ernment checks and copra receipts are negotiable, and discounting them is forbidden. The rate of interest where not specified in a contract is 6 per cent per annum. Where the interest is specified in a contract, the limit is 8 per cent per annum. The game law prohibits the shooting of pigeons and doves between March 1 and August 30 of each year. The road law provides that natives shall construct and maintain roads in good condition. Each county is made responsible for the roads within its limits. The civil government pays half the cost of constructing new roads and builds and maintains bridges. The educational -law provides for the compulsory education of children who have not completed the fourth grade. LAND TITLES— LEASEHOLDS. There are no public lands in American Samoa. When the Ameri- can flag was raised, there were no Crown lands in these islands, and all of the land was owned by individual proprietors. The land re- quired by the United States Government for its naval station, about 40 acres, was acquired by purchase or by condemnation proceedings, where full compensation was given.- Nearly all the land is owned by natives, but a few small tracts are owned by foreigners, the titles having been established before the land commission during the Gov- ernment under the Berlin general act, between 1890 and 1899. There is no opportunity for Americans to become planters in these islands, because of the small amount of arable lands. There is but one white planter in American Samoa at present, Mr. E. W. Gurr. His plan- tation is a freehold in a valley on the north side of the island. He AMEBIC AN SAMOA. 17 has planted coconut trees, rubber, cacao, and a small amount of coffee. The Mormon mission holds 360 acres of land in the western district under a lease of 40 years, acquired in 1902, and it has expended con- siderable sums of money in clearing and planting the land with coconuts and stocking it with cattle. SOIL AND ITS PRODUCTS. The soil is a rich mold upon the slopes and even upon the precipi- tous mountain sides, while the valleys and level tracts are a deep alluvial deposit of the same, the whole a decomposition of vegetable matter, with only a slight proportion of decomposed lava. This being impregnated with iron makes a vigorous tillable loam. So rapid is the growth and decay of vegetable matter, and so long has it been accumulating, that the interstices of broken lava upon abrupt declivities are "filled with soil which is again protected from heavy washes by trees and shrubbery. Lava beds descend to the sea in many places, with black and for- bidding faces. The "iron-bound coast" extends for several miles east of Leone Bay, the edge of a great lava bed, against which the sea roars unceasingly. The sea has cut tunnels in the lava, breaking through the crust many yards inland ; the air compressed within the • tunnels or chambers by the surges of the sea forces the imprisoned water high into the air through these inland "blowholes" with a geyserlike effect. On a stormy day the sight is a magnificent one. The hills and valleys are rocky, but the volcanic rock is still dis- integrating. Many landslides occur during the wet season from this cause. A list of the trees of Samoa, prepared from the report of Col. A. B. Steinberger, W. E. Safford's " Useful Plants of Guam," and notes of residents of Tutuila, and which list is believed to be substantially correct, though incomplete, is appended, marked " Appendix B." Nearly all tropical plants which have been tried in Samoa are found to flourish. In clearing land for plantations the trees are left on the ground as they fall, and in from three to five years have decomposed and dis- appeared. The whole surface of the islands has been heavily wooded, but the clearing of land is progressing slowly. The dense forests have some valuable timber, but most of the wood is unsuitable for building purposes, rotting quickly when cut and dressed. The hard wood is used by the natives in building their houses. There are no sawmills, and no attempt has been made to market the timber, which is not abundant enough to make it worth the labor of getting it to the coast. Samoan fruits comprise the orange, lemon, lime, citron, mango,, alligator pear or avocado, vi, papaya, pineapple, nonufiafia, banana, and a few other tropical fruits. Citrous fruits are subject to scale. Lemons are of a poor quality, large, thick skinned, spongy, and with little juice. There is no outside market for fruit. Some of these fruit trees are described in Appendix B. The Samoan vegetables are chiefly the breadfruit, taro, and yam. Bananas are used as a vegetable. There are practically no other vegetables in common use. The breadfruit is described in Appen- 57250—22 3 18 AMERICAN SAMOA. dix B. The taro (C alodium Colocasia) is common to tropical coun- tries. It is a succulent plant with edible, starchy, tuberous root- stock. The leaves are large and heart-shaped. The plant is culti- vated, but requires little care. There are several varieties, one variety growing best in wet places and another variety growing best on newly cleared land and on the hillsides. When the taro is mature it is dug ; the tops of the rootstocks are cut off and at once replanted ; they take root and mature in less than a year. Taro is cooked in many ways, usually roasted or boiled, but is never made into " poi," as in Hawaii. It has a high percentage of carbohydrates, of which starch is the most important, and a low percentage of fat, protein, and crude fiber. It furnishes an abundance of nutritious food, which alternates with breadfruit in the diet of the Samoan. Europeans soon cultivate a taste for taro. The yam (Dioscorea) (Samoan, " ufi ") is another tuber very com- mon in the Tropics. There are many varieties in Samoa, each with a distinctive name. The yam grows to a much larger size than the taro. It is more difficult to cultivate ; therefore it is not grown nearly so extensively as is taro, although the soil is suitable for its growth, and it is well liked by the natives. In planting the yam, the earth must be loosened to a considerable extent around the roots, and a heap of. earth made for each plant, whereas, in planting the taro, the native pulls up a few weeds, makes a hole in the ground with a stick, inserts the tops cut from the taro root, and nothing more is done until the taro is ripe and is pulled up or dug from the earth. Bananas are of many varieties and are extensively cultivated, each family having its banana plantation for its own use. Many vegetables of the temperate zone thrive in Samoa, but there are no truck gardeners in Tutuila. The following vegetables have been grown with success : Tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, cucumbers, parsley, sweet corn, eggplant, onions, beans, watermelon, and sweet potatoes. Arrowroot ("masoa") is indigenous, but is seldom cultivated. It is used in puddings or fancy dishes. Kava {Piper Methisticum) (Samoan, "ava") is a shrub grown extensively throughout Samoa for its root, from which the national beverage of the same name is made. The drink is an emulsion of the powdered kava root and water, prepared and served with great ceremony. It is not an intoxicant and has no injurious effects unless drunk in large quantities. Kava is used in Germany and America in the manufacture of certain medicines. Sugar cane is grown to some extent, principally for the leaves, which are used for the thatch of the native houses. A parasite has recently been found in the sugar cane which has done much damage. It is not likely that the cane will ever be grown here for export in the form of sugar. Coffee has been grown in small quantities with success, but none has been placed on sale. Tobacco is grown by natives for native consumption. It is a strong variety and thrives well. The natives roll cigarettes from it in pieces of dried banana leaf. From the pandanus are made several kinds of floor mats and sleeping mats. AMEBICAN SAMOA. 19 The most important product of the soil of Samoa is the coconut ("niu"). This tree gives meat, drink, and shelter to the Samoans. It grows anywhere it is planted — in the sand on the coast where the roots are laved by the sea; on plateaus, on the slopes, and even on the mountain ridges, where it stands out like a sentinel against the sky. The trees begins to bear nuts when about 5 years of age and are mature at T years. The trees grow to be very tall and are very strong. The roots form a dense network extending many yards from the trees, enabling them to withstand the heavy trade winds. From the husk of the coconut (coir) the men plait sennit, with which they bind together the .parts of canoes and all parts of the framework of the houses without the use of nails. The shell is used for drinking cups and for fuel. The leaves are used to make rough baskets, rough mats, and to place on the thatches of the houses to hold them down in windy weather, and when dry the leaves are used as torches. From the midrib of the leaves crude brooms are made. The wood of the trunk is too perishable to be of any great value, but it is used rough hewn for rafters in the native houses, and whole sections of the trunk are sometimes used for rustic bridges over streams. The water of the green nuts is used for drink, and in some villages where there are no springs it is their only beverage. 