The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-08-31
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THE SPANISH INVASION OF
pONhPE.
a paper by Mrs. F. +. Rand, American
Missionary to Micronesia. read be-
fore the Hawaiian Mission Chill
dren's Society. Honolulu.
1 /

The Caroline Group lncludes hu-
sale or Strong's Island, Ponape or
Ascension Island, the Mortlocks,
Rnk, Ohai and Yap, together with
many smaller islands.
The Spanish claim to these islands
is based on the alleged fact that one
of her ships discovered (sighted)
some of the principal islands in the
sixteenth century. No settlement is
krown to have been made in these
islands by the Spaniards during tue
three centuries that have elapsed
since the date of discovery. In 1886,
however, stimulated no doubt by the
thirst for real estate (earth hunger)
that affected many European powers
about that time, the Spanish govern
ment selected zap, the most westerly
of all these islands, as the site for a
coaling station, and two shipS of war
were sent there to establish the
station.
While negotiating with the chiefs
for permission to establish a prOtec-
torate over the island, German war
ship arrived and cast anchor in the
same harbor. Learning of the in
tentions of the Spaniards, and that
they were to complete their negotla-
Lions that day the German captain
hurried ON shore, raised the flag OF
his country and took possession of
the island in the name Of Germany.
The Spaniards were greatly in
censed at this, and one of the Spanish
captains proposed firing into the
German vessel the other captain,
however, did not favor the idea he
accordingly restrained his fellow cap
tain, and set sail for Manila the
same day. From Manila state
ment of the condition Of affairs was
at once forwarded to Madrid, where
it created great stir; popular feel
ing rose 50 high that the office of the
German minister was mobbed. The
Spanish government demanded that
Germany should give up all her
claims in the Catolines. This the
German chancellor had little enough
disposition to do, but Bismarck, per-
ceiving that serious trouble might
arise if he persisted in holding the
Carolines, (for the Germans had
taken possession of all the islands
after leaving Yap), aud doubtless
, seeing way to facilitate the accom-
plishment of more important ends,
suggested that the question at issue
should be settled by the arbitration
of the Pope. This proposition was
accepted, and the Pope of course
decided in favor of Spain. Germany
accordingly agreed to acknowledge
the sovereignty of Spain over the
islands, provided the latter would
occupy them. A few months later
the flag of Germany was lowered and
that of Spain run up on the principal
: islands in the group.
Never since the establishment Of
: the Mission at Ponape in 1852, by
Messrs. Sturges and Guick, had the
outlook been so full of cheer and
!. encouragement. At that time the
five tribes into which this savage peo'
pie are divided, were engaged in Bit
ter war with each other. Intemper-
ance was rife on the island, all were
toddy and kava drinkers. Not until
the lapse of eight years did these
faithful workers witness any appre-
I ciable fruit of their arduous labors.
The converts then numbered but
three. These three were at once Or
ganized into working church, To-
/. Gated at Ron Xiii, in the Xiii tribe,
in the southwestern part Of the is
land. These three members were
at once sent forth TO work as evan
gelists in the neighboring villages
Such was the success that attended
their efforts that soon the story OF
the gospel had spread over the whole
island Twelve years later, in 1872
= there were six churches with mem
bership of about 300 two churches
~ had been established in the Metala.
IS MIN tribe, two in the t, one in The
C Nut and one in the Xiii.
From this time on the work was
rapid. The language was reduced
W WlItilS, tHc NCW lCStatHCI0 va
translated and published, books wer,
printed, new churches organized, vii
age schools were started with native
for teachers, aud at Qua, in the Met
alanim tribe, were established
training school for boys and
- boarding school for girls. The who'll
island seemed to be waking to ne'
: life. The influence of this new stat
of things did not fail TO reach tn
hearts of the old chiefs, some o
whom were led to give up their time
honored heather customs, and L
throw the weight of their exampl
wholly in favor of the right. Anon,
Re this number who were received an,
baptized into the church was on
king. Some of the chiefs, however
still clung to their kava drinking a
well as to other vices. The whole is
land was now under Christian inhu
ence. There was hardly a plac
where the missionaries were not glad
ly welcomed, and so great was tn
l. enthusiasm for learning that it wa
difficult to supply the demand fo
[sl teachers.
. Such was the condition of the mi;