Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1899 — Gentleness in War. [ARTICLE]

Gentleness in War.

War is savage In its very nature, and one looks for war among savages to be peculiarly barbarous. That such is not always the case among the people of Samoa is attested by a letter sent from Samoa by an American gentlel- - who recently visited Apia, and who gives a description of Mataafa’s army in camp after a battle between the rival claimants to the throne. We went' all about among the huts where'the savages were reSting after the battle and making preparations for the next fight. It was a very peaceful scene, for their arms were all concealed under the mats where the men sat, and many of the soldiers were accompanied by their wives and children. They were amusing themselves by smoking and beating tom-toms. The Samoans are a most amiable race of savages, and white people are always perfectly safe among them. Everywhere we were greeted with smiles and friendly nods and the salutation, “Talofa,” which means, “Love to you,” from men, women and children. One instance of their friendly feeling occurred during the big battle. A white man, • who lived In the street where they were fighting, saw that two of his horses had strayed out between the hostile lines. He did not want to lose them, and he did not want to venture out in the line of fire. So he stuck a white flag out of his window. Upon seeing It, both chiefs ordered their men to stop firing, and hostilities were suspended while the white man went out and drove his horses to a place of shelter. ~ Then the combatants went at it again.