Evening journal., 1892-10-17
ENGLAND GETTING BOLD
A Reign of Brutality Inaugu-
rated in Gilbert Islands.
INSULTS HEAPED ON AMERICANS.

Studied Effort to Drive Our Merchants
from the Isiands-The III Used King
was on the Toiut of-sending Letter
50 President Harrison.
SAN FRANCIsco, Oct. 17.-Private letters
received from the Gilbert islands dated
Aug. show that the British, who recently
established protectorate over the group
in defiance OF the kings wishes, are de
tennined to drive out American merchants
and to discriminate in favor Of the Ger
mans.
By this mail a strong protest has gone TO
Washington from Captain A. j. Kustel,
VINO represents Wightman Brothers, Of San
Francisco, the leading American merchants
of the Gilberts. Kustel was shamefuly
abused by Commander Davis, Of the Roy
alst, who took occasion to express his con-
tempt for America and Americans. King
Teburrman drafted letter to President
Harrison, but at the last moment decided
not to send it until further developments
occurred The letter says:
The Kings Letter to Harrison.
81 have written you two letters before,
telling you and your cabinet at Wash
ington I would like my land to have the
American flag ! have not had any answer
Srom you whether will get it, but l would
like to know why we cannot get it, Now,
an English man-of-war has come here and
hoisied his flag on my land. ] said to the
captain, ] have already given my land to
the United States, but he replied Well
we have come first told him 1 was wait
ing for an answer to my appeal for the
American flag.
~ would like you now to finally answer
whether you are going to let me have your
flag or not"
The king was treated very shabbily by
Captain Davis, who did not mince his
words The Briton appeared particularly
angry over the articles in San Francisco
newspapers which praised the kings con-
duct on his recent visit and commended his
desire to bring the islands under the Amer
lean flag. He said:
"The kings head is swelled. We will
have to fetch him down a peg, - him. l
viii show him who is master now. If he
does not look sharp he viii be outof his fat
job. He has got 10 look after business
more closely, and dead square, or Twill put
an agent in his place, and the king can live
on taro ss he used to do"
Captain Davis just before sailing away
receivedsa petition from three merchants,
English, German and Chinese, asking him
to compel the king to reduce taxes and
to place some competent agent in charge
Heygtofore most of the business Of the is
lands has been done by United States Con
sillar Agent Rick, as the two big American
firms of Crawford & Co. and WightmaI
Brothers have controlled the copra trade Oh
the island for twenty years. Now, how
ever, Captain Davis has issued an order
that the natives shall pay no attention &C
Rick, but shall deal directly with mer
chants.
Most Arbitrary BritOn.
The case Of Captain Kustel is an aggra
waited one, as the British commander. with
out giving him hearing, decided agains
Kustel in a case Of alleged assault upon
native What made this procedure th
more CALLING was that he cursed Kustel il
the most blackguardly way, and roundl.
cursed all Americans who were trading OF
the islands Kustel represented a biz
American firm and also owns an importan
trading station Of his OVID. She assault
simply consisted in the capture Of a nativ
who had deserted from his schooner alto
signing articles. The native was a har'
character, who had been driven out of hi
own Island for crime.
Ii is common report at Butaritari tina
the British DO not care for the Gilber
islands, but viii trade them TO German
for a slice OF East Africa.
What lends color to this gossip IS tn
great exertions made by German merchant
on the islands to secure the native trad
and the evident purpose Of the British t
drive out Americans.
Captain Davis is the most arbitrary Brito
who has ever been known in the Sout
seas He swears like pirate, and even
public assemblage every other word is a
oath. He cursed the king roundly, and hi
abuse of Captain Kustel was foul. A
American prestige, which had been bui
up by enforcement of order and squaI
trading, will soon be lost, as Davis openl
insulted all Americans and advised the M
tive chiefs TO have nothing 10 do with then