The morning call., 1891-07-27
ANOTHER DYNASTY GONE.

The death of King Pomare V removes
the last obstacle to the complete establish
ment of French authority over the Tahiti
Islands. They were paced under French
protection In 1912; and were declared TO be
a French colony in 1880, the reigning King
agreeing TO surrender his authority in ex-
change for an annuity. which enabled him
to indulge in the conviyial pleasures he
loved; but so long as he lived the French
occasionally encountered friction in dealing
with the natives. Their dominion will
henceforth be undisputed, and the tricolor
will wave unchallenged over an island
group with an area of $50 square miles.
population of some 10000, splendid eli
mate and a fertile soil.
The name of Tahiti, and it's capital,
Papeete, are familiar in this city. A regu
lar line Of sailing vessels plies between San
Francisco ana Papeete. But not very many
will recall the incidents of the time when
the names of Tahiti and Queen Pomare
were in everyone's mouth, ana disputes to
which the latter gave rise nearly plum ged
England and France into war. The story
OF that forgotten quarrel is droll.
Seyenty-hve years ago party OF English
missionaries obtained foothold On the ISL
Pomare II, to Professionalism. After his
death the missionaries Increased their eXer-
tons to convert the natives generally, and
to that end took possession of fertile spots
on the island. on which they established
cotton. coffee and sugar plantations, besides
chapels and mission houses. AT this stage
Catholic missionaries from other points i'll
Polynesia put in an appearance. In 1886 a
party of priests planted Catholic mission
at Papeete. Strife and contention arose be-
tween rival missionary orders.
The monarch at that time was Queen
Pomare, who professed to be Protestant.
She was good deal under the control Of
the Protestant missionaries, and of the
British Consul, whose name was Pritchard.
At their instigatiOn, and by her orders, the
French priests were ANONYMOUSLY expelled,
and forbidden to return. News Of the
event soon reached Paris, and created
general excitement. Admiral Dupetit
Thonars was dispatched to Tahiti with a
squadron to insist ON the restoration of the
priests to their missions. Louis Philippe S
Ministers made representations to the
Court of st. James, coucbed in
angry language. France insisted on the
recall of Consul Prltchard. England re-
fused to disturb him. Dupetit ThOnars
landed the priests under the shelter of his
guns. BY the advice of her English friends
Queen PUmaTe hauled down her flag. For q
time il looked as though blood was sure to
flow. 1t CHANGED, however, that the sover-
eign of England at that time was young
girl, who was just going 10 be married. An
appeal was made TO the gallantry of the
French, and military preparations were
stayed. They still insisted, however, on the
dismissal of Consul Pritchard ami the Prot
estant missionaries who had been conspicu-
Gus in moleStipg the priests, and alter a
long debate England consented. The Of
Tending parties were turned out of the isl
ands, neck and crop. a French protectorate
followed in due course, and the way was
paved for the annexation of the islands to
France-which has now been completed IN
regular shape.
1t is net easy to see what value the Society
group can possess for the French. They are
a long way from anywhere. From NOumea,
which is the French penal station in the
Pacific, they are distant about 2400 miles
the same distance separates them from
Honolulu and Auckland. They are $500
miles from San Francisco, about as far from
Sydney and 1900 miles from Panama. These
are the nearest inhabited points. The isl
andS are described as maTvels of beauty,
but distances like these seem long to travel
ers IN search of landscape scenery. Cotton,
coffee and sugar may be grown there; but
the plantations are small, the bulk of the
island surface being covered with volcanic
rock. Such as they are, however, the
French have got them, and it is hardly
likely that any other power will seek to
diSposSess them.