Uneasy Samoa

Politics and Epidemics

T ETTERS from Western Samoa, dated May 1 and May 7, indicate consider able uneasiness and discontent there at the present time.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand has radio’d, asking for the good-will and co-operation of the Samoan people, and adding that his Government “is prepared to facilitate the return of Mr. O. F.

Nelson,” the exiled Mau leader. This gesture, unfortunately, was robbed of much of its effectiveness by the receipt of a radiogram a week earlier from Mr.

Nelson, in w r hich he said that he had been assured by the Prime Minister of his un conditional return to Samoa.

It has been learned since that the N.Z.

Government is sending a Cabinet Minis ter and one other member of the Gov ernment party to Samoa to study condi tions there and advise the Government; and, while there is much speculation there concerning the result of their visit, wide preparations are being made for their re ception there about June.

It is pointed out that the Prime Min ister himself cannot issue a pardon to Mr. Nelson. It is assumed that Mr. Nel son will be included in a general am nesty which may be granted by His Majesty the King on his birthday in June.

Mysterious Sickness Among

Samoan Missionaries

Meanwhile, Samoa is in the grip of severe epidemics of sickness. Much whooping cough and dysentery is re ported: but the really serious thing is a mysterious epidemic brought to the is lands by the steamer Cape York, which on April 14 landed a party of Samoan missionaries who had returned from Papua via Sydney. Soon afterwards, several cases of sickness appeared among the new arrivals, and the whole party, together with some 40 other people, were removed to the Apia quarantine station. The sickness was first diag nosed as measles, and subsequently as “a kind of yellow fever.”

Then a disease described as measles ap peared in two coastal villages; mean while, the jaundice or yellow fever was reported in other places. The medical authorities are trying to isolate these outbreaks.

Bitter blame has been placed upon the Samoan officials who permitted tuber cular cattle and horses, shot on the Re paration Estates at Mulifanua, to be dragged out to sea, instead of buried.

The carcases, in a decomposing state were carried by strong currents to the beaches at Mulifanua and Monono dis tricts, creating a great nuisance, attract ing many sharks, and it is believed caus ing some of these epidemics.

The American authorities have im posed quarantine regulations at Pago Pago, which have stopped all passenger and cargo traffic between Apia and Pago Pago.

Defiant Mau Party

Among the Mau followers, the most fanatical section are the people of the Palauli and Salailua districts, on the south coast of Savaii, under the leader ship of the High Chief Autagavaia, an old firebrand and strong opponent of the New Zealand Administration.

On May 1, a flotilla of 10 fautasis (rowing boats) from the Savaii district

arrived on Apia beach, flying Man flags and bringing about 600 people, men, women and children from Savaii to Apia.

On their arrival, a Government medical officer and the Chief of Police explained to them that infectious disease, and especially measles, had broken out in Apia and Upolu and that, therefore, by order of the Government, all communica tion between the two islands was to be stopped. They should therefore not re turn to Savaii before three weeks.

High Chief Autagavaia replied that they should have been told of that before their departure. He also stated that they were already suffering from the same disease in Savaii. “Besides,” he added, “why have your doctors allowed the measles to be brought into Samoa from the steamer in the first instance? If you want us to remain in Apia for three weeks, the Government will have to sup ply our 600 people with food during the period.”

On Saturday, May 2, the Palauli and Salailua districts gave a great ta’alolo, or ceremonial dance and feast, to the Mau Committee at Vaimoso village, in celebration of the impending return of Mr. O. F. Nelson. Full Samoan ceremon ial was observed and, after the dances, the kava ceremony and various speeches, an elaborate and abundant dinner was spread out for the large gathering. Over one hundred large pigs formed part of the feasting.

In the evening the Savaii visitors gave some additional singing and dancing per formances for the benefit of their Apia hosts.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Savaii fautasis departed from Apia on their homeward voyage to Savaii.