Eastern Samoa
p. 51 · Read in the full issue
Progress Under American Rule
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Honolulu, Jan. 4.
IN his annual report, Mr. Claude A.
Swanson, secretary of the U.S. navy, makes the following remarks about American Samoa, which his department administers: On June 30, 1938, the native popu lation of American Samoa, including Swain’s Island, was 12,241, an increase of more than 100 per cent, on the 1900 figure, which was estimated at 5,679.
The increase is due to the cessation of internecine warfare and the improve ment of the sanitary and medical work of the medical officers and their assist ants. (The scheme is greatly assisted by the native medical practitioners, trained by the well-known Dr. S. M.
Lambert at the Suva hospital).
Free clinics and hospitals are a feat ure of the navy scheme.
An average enrolment of 2,546 pupils, employing 73 teachers, was maintained by the 30 public schools.
There has been a notable stimulation of native industry, especially with na tive arts and crafts for sale to tourists and for shipment to the United States and Hawaii for sale in shops. Copra re ceipts totalled $99,382 and arts and crafts brought an income of approx. $45,000.
Commander E. W. Hanson, the new governor, has proved himself very popu lar, and under his personal guidance the Samoans are being encouraged to con serve their outstanding native culture.