212 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



indolence and easy enjoyment of nature's bounty. They 

 possessed no real property in fee. A political economy based 

 upon communal ideas weakens the incentive to acquire large 

 private wealth, hence it was difficult for the " government " 

 to tax its subjects. Their own system of government was 

 essentially of the patriarchal type. Every community or clan 

 had a " royal " family, the chieftainship being hereditary as 

 to the family, but elective as to the individual. When 

 a chief was selected by vote of his neighbors, he was usually 

 dignified by honorific titles. The well-known name of 

 " Malietoa," the " Pleasing Hero," is one of these. In a 

 measure the chief was a sacred being, of greater influence 

 if he proved popular than of actual power over his people. 

 His son succeeded to his name and position only when elected 

 to do so. A chief having attained very great popularity or 

 military success might have honorific titles bestowed upon 

 him by clans other than his own; and should he receive in 

 this manner the recognition of five different clans, he was 

 considered the Supreme or Highest Chief, and accorded 

 kingly honors. The idea of royalty, as understood in 

 Europe, seems rather to have been a foreign innovation in 

 the islands. 



When Samoa became a treaty-making power, the necessity 

 for a stronger central government with a definite and respon- 

 sible head was felt. The step from a patriarchal form of 

 government was easily taken under the tutelage of the 

 whites, but true conceptions of a king apparently never 

 sank deeply into the Samoan consciousness. -.To revolt 

 against the de facto king because he had enjoyed an inning of 

 several years and should therefore give other worthy men a 

 chance to realize their ambitions, was entirely proper and 

 legitimate according to Samoan custom. The people there- 

 fore had little idea of "government," as understood by 

 modern civilized nations, and consequently a strong central 

 power levying taxes and actually enforcing judicial decrees 

 was not properly comprehended. The Samoans were unable 

 to appreciate the utility of contract obligations ; they rejoiced 

 in peace, but tribal disturbances were more or less frequent 



