Baron Saurma to Mr.
Gresham.
[Translation.]
Imperial German Embassy at Washington,
Washington, November 1, 1894.
Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor,
referring to the note of the Department of State of December 21, 1893,
and to the note of this legation of March 28, 1894, relative to the wife
of Mataafa and those of his companions, herewith to inclose a copy of a
report (accompanied by a list of names) dated July (June?) 11, 1894, and
made by the imperial governor general at Jaluit, concerning the
situation of the Samoan chiefs who are now held there as prisoners.
The governor general, in his report, advocated the sending of the women
from Samoa, and expresses the opinion that Mataafa’s wish to have his
three sons with him should be granted, at least as regards one of them,
viz, Tagoti.
I have the honor, in pursuance of instructions received, to inquire of
your excellency whether, under existing circumstances, the United States
Government would agree to have the Samoans whose names appear in the
accompanying list (provided that they wish it, but with the exception of
Tui, Taigafi, and Muliaiga, whose removal, in the opinion of the
governor general, is not advisable) removed to the Marshall Islands, and
to pay the expense of such removal conjointly with the other treaty
powers.
Requesting that I may be favored with a reply, I avail myself, etc.,
[Page 728]
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Report of the Imperial Governor-General at
Jaluit.
I have the honor to make a report to your excellency concerning the
accommodations which are afforded to the Samoan prisoners here, and
also concerning their mode of life and their conduct.
The prisoners, twelve in number, and all chiefs, with the exception
of Tusi Tusi, Mataafa’s secretary and servant, are for the present
occupying quarters in the vacant lot in the rear of the
governor-general’s residence, where they have built their huts of
native material, in a healthy place. In addition to these men,
Mataafa’s niece lives there, she having been brought with them when
they came here by the German war ship from the Ellice group, and
also a Samoan woman who had lived here for some time previous to the
arrival of her countrymen. The manner in which the prisoners are
lodged, very near to me, where they are constantly under
supervision, both by day and night, seems to be the most suitable,
notwithstanding the fact that the place is at a considerable
distance from the house of the chief of police and from those of the
other white men. Moreover, another special policeman, Tarpaulin by
name, who is a native of the Ellice group, near Samoa, and who
speaks both English and Samoan, came here about three weeks ago for
the purpose of interpreting for them and of keeping a close watch
upon them. He has built himself a hut next to that of Mataafa and
reports to me daily all that takes place in the Samoan camp.
It is rather a difficult matter to furnish the Samoans with an
adequate supply of food, inasmuch as many articles of consumption,
such as breadfruit, yams, bananas, etc., which they had in abundance
in Samoa, are quite scarce here. They complain a good deal of the
lack of pork. Still, I do everything in my power to make their
privation less irksome to them. Beer is furnished to them on Sundays
and all holidays, and now and then they get a pig. Breadfruit is
obtained by purchase from the native chiefs and from other islands.
Mataafa, who abstains from beer on account of his health, gets a
bottle of wine on Sundays and holidays, and occasionally some
cigars. None of the Samoans receive any other spirituous liquors.
Such other things as they need for their subsistence are furnished
to them, on my order, from the store of the Jaluit Company. As they
are most skillful fishermen, not a day passes on which they do not
return from the lagoon with an abundant mess of fish. Now and then,
on special occasions, they receive a present in money from the firm,
and also from me. They expect this, particulary when their dances
take place and on the occasion of their new year congratulations.
Their dances appear rather to be grotesque musical performances. The
principal part in these dances is played by the women, the beater of
time, and the clown, the latter of whom does all in his power to
amuse the spectators by his grotesque leaps and grimaces. Mataafa
himself does not take part in these dances, but receives on such
occasions the homage of his people. He always makes apologies
because the dancing is not better. He attributes this to the fact
that he has none but persons who are advanced in life, and who are
no longer as agile as they once were.
Mataafa has asked, in case it is purposed to keep him here for a
considerable time, that his three sons and the wives of his men may
be brought here. The names of these persons will be found in the
accompanying
[Page 729]
list. I could
only object to having more men sent here who are capable of bearing
arms, and to the coming of Tui, the alleged wife of Tagatoa (Tagaloa
?). This Samoan woman was the wife of a former tavern keeper here,
whom she left for the purpose of returning to Samoa. She has the
reputation of being an intriguing woman, and her presence here,
owing to her relations with the wives of the other chiefs, would be
dangerous, or, at least, not desirable. The question of sending the
Samoan women here was raised sometime ago, and I think that their
presence here could not fail to make the prisoners more contented
with their lot. As to Mataafa’s sons, he would, I think, be
satisfied if he could have the oldest one here in Jaluit.
Mataafa himself and a number of his men are Roman Catholics, while
others are Protestants. He is, to all appearances, very sincere in
his religious belief. I am also assured of this by Mr. Vassen, who
often converses with him on religious subjects and gives him
religious comfort. Mataafa holds religious services for his Samoans,
in addition to the Sunday service, every morning early and every
evening, in the little Catholic church which was purchased some time
ago by the Catholic mission here, and Mr. Vassen frequently takes
part in these services.
[Inclosure
A.—Translation.]
Names of the women and girls whom the Samoan
chiefs here desire to have sent to them.
- 1.
- Lealosi, wife of Chief Leiatana.
- 2.
- Tuliloa, wife of Chief Fiame.
- 3.
- Taafiu, wife of Chief Laulu.
- 4.
- Palepa, wife of Chief Taumuiga.
- 5.
- Taofi, wife of Chief Tupuola.
- 6.
- Tui, wife of Chief Tagaloa.
- 7.
- Siamoa, wife of Chief Mulipola.
- 8.
- Taevale, wife of Chief Soa.
- 9.
- Siaima, wife of Chief Telea.
- 10.
- Selepa, wife of Chief Sauini.
Names of the girls.
- 1.
- Alaimaca.
- 2.
- Talapasia.
- 3.
- Avele.
- 4.
- Sose.
- 5.
- Siagiagi.
- 6.
- Salacvalu.
- 7.
- Tagii Malie.
- 8.
- Paola.
- 9.
- Tuupu.
- 10.
- Sausua.
Names of Mataafa’s sons.
- 1.
- Tagoti.
- 2.
- Taigafi.
- 3.
- Muliaiga
* * * * * * *
