The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-05
Spain to Be Called to Account for Maltrsat-
ment OfMissionaries Laboring Among the
Natives Of the Caroline Islands
Some False Impressions About Our Ma
tional BankingSystem Brushed Aside.
NOta Tax on the People, but Source Of Profit
The Increasing Demand for Domestics
On Evidence of Unusual Prosperity.


Property OF Americans In the Caroline Isl-
snds Cannot Re De.troye ed with Impunity.
Special 70 the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Oct 4-Even though the
Chilian complication has not been salts
factorily settled. despite the fact that the
Behring sea negotiations arc sull penang.
and although engrossed with q vast
amount OF diplomatic matters in the ab-
sence of Secretary Blaine, the President on
last Saturday began the consideration OF
another important international question,
what is known in diplomatic circles as
1.-The Caroline islands affair" This mat
ter has been dragging its slow length
along in the tedious channels Of the state
Department. for some time, but the Presi-
dent has decided that it is about time the
incident was concluded. and he hopes It
may be settled with credit to the United
States. Notwithstanding the fact that it
may involve US in squsbble with Spain.
The persons most concerned in this affair
are number of American missionaries. who
have suffered considerable maltreatment at
the hands of the Spanish church repre-
sentatives and officers who control the
Caroline islands Their churches have
subjected TO all sorts OF indignities. and it
ia said that their lives have been endan-
gered. The President has decided that
this condition OF affairs nnst not be al
mination of the administration TO see that
American citizens are protected IN all parts
of the globe. especially in cases such as this
instance. where they have been working
for the cause of civilization.
The Caroline islands are in the Pacific
ocean east of the Philippine group. They
were first discovered and settled by Span
ish navigatOrs and remained nominally
Spanish possessions until i've or six years
ago. when Germany undertook to claim
them This act caused an almost open
rupture between Germany and Spain,
but the matter was finally referred TO
the Pope for settlement He decided In
favor of Spain. lt was known 10 the gov
aries were at work among the natives of
the islands and Secretary Bayard ad-
dressed a note to the Spanish gov ernment in
which he gave notice that the protection OF
the missionaries was OF prime concern to
the United States. He received a suave
note In reply. promising that the MISSION
aries should not be interferea with. but
this promise seems to have bern made only
that il might be broken. At at any rate.
the friends of the missionaries presented
TO the state Department some time ago q
detailed account OF the treatment which
they were receiving. and it was not q story
to DO read with pleasure by any patriotic
heart. At that time, however, this govern
ernment was engaged in negotiating q rec
Iprocity treaty with Spain and the TING
was not deemed propitious for q full
discussion of the subject. IL has now been
taken up. and will be vigorously pushed TO
a conclusion. Our citizens will be protect
ed. While the President has not absolute
ly determined what action TO take in tho
premises, IL is understood that he has VIZ
tually decided 10 make an immediate de-
mand on Spain for indemnity for the ont
RACES committed upon these American citi-
zens. It may be that Spain will ask tho
withdrawal of the missionaries on tho
ground that they do not teach the princi-
Piles of the established church of that ma
tion. Snch a request would be in accord
ance with the law and practice. and would
he complied with, but the President 10 de-
termined that the withdrawal of the mis-
eionaries shall not absolve the Spanish
government from making reparation for
the damages and the insults already in
fiicted.