Foreign Tourist Resents Apia

Under Observation

Foreign Tourist Resents Apia Police Methods

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Jan. 17.

FOR several years the Administration has tried to attract tourist traffic to Western Samoa and encourage tourist steamers to make Apia a regular port of call, well realizing that this policy should result in an increase of revenue for public and Government. Apia Police Depart ment, however, does not seem to be in agreement with this policy. This, at least, must be presumed from the treat ment accorded a recent prominent visitor to Samoa.

The gentleman in question, a foreigner of distinction with ample means at his disposal, and with excellent credentials, who intended to travel in the islands for several months, after 2½ years’ globetrotting in other parts of the world, was subjected to a lengthy interrogation and examination by the Chief of Police. He was asked to obtain special permits to travel to the neighbouring island of Savaii, and was actually placed under some sort of police surveillance during his stay and while on harmless excur sions. When he visited a plantation, the planter was rung up by the police and asked, whether Mr. — was staying at his house.

The whole annoying procedure was resented by the visitor, and caused his hurried departure from shores that he regarded as made inhospitable by the police and red tape.