A stranger story than Orphan Island, a pleasanter story than Rain, drifted in, last week, from mid-Pacific.
Years ago, an American named Christopher Young discovered the island of Manua in the Samoan Archipelago. He found the natives gentle ; he prospered, became a family man. When the Island King (or “Tui”) died, the natives elected him King to rule over them.
But, in far-off* Apia, dwelt a Governor of Samoa (Captain Edward S. Kellogg, U. S. N.) who knew no kings. The Captain-Governor despatched a Government boat to Manua, brought King Young to Apia, deprived him of his title, refused to furnish a return ticket.
The deposed King of Manua instructed U. S. lawyers to sue Captain Kellogg for damages. The matter of the kingship has now been referred to Secretary of the Navy Wilbur.
*Apia is about 650 miles from Manua.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Cybersecurity Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on DOGE
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness
Contact us at letters@time.com