Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-03
OLD ENGLAND'S FLAG
Swung Boldly to the Southern
Breeze Over the Gilbert Islands.
THE KINGS FLAG PULLED DOWN
And the Proclamation of Annexation to
England !s Read.
UNCLE SAM MISSES HIS OPPORTUNITY
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prs,ArcH.,

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 2.-Following
hard upon the seizure of johnson Island
and the purchase of Niihua Island by Great
Britain, comes the well-authenticated story
Of her seizure in June of the Gilbert
Islands, one of the most important groups
in the South Seas. Private letters brought
to-day by the Australian steamer from
Butaritari, on the Gilbert Islands, under
date of June 20, contain full details of the
seizure of the islands by the British ship
Royaiist on June II, the reading of>the
proclamation of annexation, the pulling
down Of the Kings flag and the raising of
the British colors
The King of Butaritari had only recently
returned from trip to San Francisco. un-
dertaken, it is thought, to induce the
United States to extend protectorate over
the Gilbert Islands. While in Frisco the
King talked of going to Washington, but
he received no encouragement, and ill
health forced him to return here.
Before he left he sent letters to Washing
ton detailing the situation on his island
and warning the State Department that
England would soon grab the whole Gilbert
group unless the United States interfered.
San Francisco commercial houses had in
vested large sums in the islands, and that
they controlled the trade, but that this con-
troll would be snatched from them should
England establish the protectorste.
Eow Urclr Sam Missed Chano
The King declared he preferred the
Americans, but he was powerless 20 resist
should England do what she had done in
other parts of the South Seas The apathy
OF the State Department has resulted in the
loss OF an important group of islands and
the sure ruin of the valuable California
firms. The Butaritari correspondent, who
is an American and has lived for years on
the islands, witnessed the annexation cere-
monies, which were carried out with a high
hand. He sends the following account,
dated June II:
On Sunday, just before noon, the British
man-ot-war Royalist appeared in the har-
Dor. Her captain landed in a steam launch,
and several officers and an interpreter called
on the King. There in public audience,
with all the foreign and native residents of
Butaritari gathered about, he read this
proclamation:
Her Majesty, Queen of the United King
dom of Great Britain, having this day as
sumed protectorate over the Gilbert
Islands, l would remind all residents in the
group, other than natives, that it is contrary
10 law to supply firearms, ammunition or
Intoxicating liquors to any natives. Given
under my hand at Panama. the 9th of May
H. M.'DAvIs,
AS"usation and = Confsrencs.
The reading of this proclamation created
. sensation. A conference was appointed
for the afternoon, at which were present
ha oh h..
mercial Agent, the agents for Wightman |
Bros and A. Crawford, of Frisco, the two
leading American firms, and the repre- |
sentatives of the German company, Jaluit |
Captain Davis explained the cause of the |
protectorate. He declared that Wong |
Ram, British subject, had complained |
that in January last he was robbed of |
liquors and tobacco worth SOS, and |
though he complained to the King, he could |
get no redress Davis talked in a very DOM
neering way to the King. saying: "You
have taken the 500 license from this China
man, who is British subject, yet you per-
nit him to be robbed and do nothing to
make the thief disgorge. You must pay
nim out of your pocket, or there will be
rouble"
At this point Captain Suttrell, who rep
-esents Wightman & Co., said that white
nan stole the Chinamen's goods and the
King could not under the law proceed
against white The British commander
waved aside this explanation and threat
,ned the King. He warned him that he
must make the natives pay Immediately
heir debts to the traders, which amounted
% "a 900 now. He added: "You can't do
his will see that it is done. If you
amt rule your island I will get man who
IAN. You must do something for your
HhA 10 fhA orIn Il 4
woman in the island"
Britan's Flag Now Over tho Island.
Then Commander Davis stepped forward
md said: "If you will now have your flag
,auled down will give you nice new one
o put up" So the old King, who seemed
LACED, ordered his flag, which has foated
rom the royal pole for several years, hauled
lown, and the British flag was run up in its
,lace.
As soon as the English colors were shown
he Royalist fired salute, but there was no
enthusiasm on shore. Everyone resented
he dictatorial manner of Captain Davis,
md even the Kings enemies felt sorry for
he shabby way he had been treated After
lark the Royalist worked her search-light
long the shore, making beautiful effects
The Americans here, who attribute this
ction of England's to the Kings recent
American trip are furious, but they can do
lothing. The same ship left here for Maxim,
mother island. where the proclamation was
ead
The ship returned on June IL, and re-
ported that the native murderer of Chinese
N the island of Garawa had been tried and
onvicted and the King shot him. The
hief production of Butaritari, of the Gill
ert group, is cocoa, the trade in which is
cry valuable. Lately the King has per-
,itted several shiploads of natives to 90 as
aborers to Queensland and Mexico It was
cargo of their islands who went down with.
be Lirig Tahiti in the Gulf of Mexico