Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-02-14

cases excepted, her march has been ever
onward till she now rules about one-fourth
of the earth's surface and one-ffth of the
human race. The Roman empire at its
greatest had not half SO many people as
British India, and compared with Britain's
domain all the ancient empires of Asia
sink into insignifcance.
Her latest acquisition, the Gilbert Is
lands, or Kingswill group, lie just north Of
the equator and in longitude 172 east-that
Is, due north of New Zealand and about
1850 miles by sea from the thickly settled
part of Australia. They were discovered
by the British Admiral Byron in 1865, and
then seemed to consist mostly of coral
reefs, each island circular rock, so tc
speak, inclosing an inner sea bordered by
sand hills. But later explorations showed
several of the islands to be inhabited, and
the total population il now about Is, 900
The cocoanut tree is the life of the people,
its fruit makes a large part of their food
and from its wood and bark are construct
ed their boats, clothing, utensils and habi-
tations.
The people are simple, civil and unwar-
like, and governed by hereditary kings
Apamama is the principal island, and King
Paul is boy of ten years. Tunbin Oko
had been king for many years, when he
died in 1891, and was succeeded by his
brother Simmon, who soon killed himself
by drinking. Both these monarchs were
of immense size, weighing over 800 pounds
each. King Paul succeeded as the son o.
Simmon, and there was relaxation of the
rule which gave occasion for interference.
On the 9th of May, 1892, Captain Edward
FL. M. Davis, of the British ship Royalist,
planted the British flag on Apamama and
read this proclamation
Her majesty, Victoria, queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and
empress of India, having this day assumed a
protectorate over the Gilbert islands, | re-
mind all residents in the group, other than
natives, that it is contrary to law to supply
firearms, ammunition, explosive substance,
or Intoxicating liquors to any natives of the
Gilbert Islands. This is hereby made known
for general information.
The flag was then run up and salu.ed by
the marines. and the Royalist fired salute
OF twenty-one guns. King Paul stood by.
apparently pleased with the spectacle, hold
ing his shoes in his hand and digging up
the sand with his toes. The few Americans
IN the island We're furious and protested
vehemently, but of course without avail
The captain visited all the inhabited islands
ana hoisted and proclaimed in each.
The islanders are nominally Christian
and there are English and American mis-
sions. The missionaries and few traders
make quite little society of whites
Many refinements have been introduced
and the palace" of King Paul is well
furnished in the European style. Most Of
the dwellings are quite substantial struc
lures, raised on stone foundations and
1hatched with cocoanut leaves. The people
speak the same language throughout the
group, and the missionaries have printed
testaments and hymn books in the native
tongue. The principal trade is in cocoa
nuts and other simple tropical products
1t is not likely that the annexation will
De seriously contested by any other power,
ana the natives seem well pleased with it,
as II guarantees them against kidnapping
ana other outrages to which they have