The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-18

savage race. They still go nearly or quite
naked, with tattoOed bodies. and are fond
of war. As no census has ever been taken
and most of the poulatlon vary greatly
from what is known OF the islands al
ready explored, it cannot be less than
10000
The islands We're probably first visited
by Aware de saavedra Ia 1893, and after
wards, In 1879, by the navigator Drake.
IN 1896 they were rediscovered by the Spaa-
ish admiral Francesca Lazeauo. who gave
them the name they now bear In honor Of
Charles II, of Spain.
The Islands have at different times been
claimed by Spain. England, Germany. ana,
in fact, by almost all the European Pow
ers. The points claimed in favor of Spain
are probable priority of discovery, the
fixing on The islands of a Spanish name by
Lazeano and the proximity of Spanish
possessions.
From the Philippines and Ladrone Is
lands more or less intercourse has been
had with zap and other westernmost is-
lands of the Caroline archipelago Yap
is volcanic island of considerable slze.
with an excellent harbor on the southeast.
The natives are of a higher grade of civ
ilization than most Of their neighbors.
They build first-rate boats. lay OUT their
villages regularly, pave their streets and
construct stone piers and wharves. A
island in 1886.
Germany in 1885 laid claim to certain Of
the Carohnes A dispute occurred as 20
the ownership of zap ana there was a long
international quarrel, which was finally
settled by the Pope in favor of Spain. A
protocol was issued by Spain and Ger
many, in which the latter country was
granted coaling and naval stations and
permission to establish farming colonies
What IL of ann1a
to us mainly through American missiona-
ries, who for more than forty years la
bored among the debased populations with
great success. The larger islands, such
as Kusaie. Ponape and Ruk, were occu-
pied by evangelizing agencies, and the
work of education ana civilization passed
rapidly from group TO group, until nearly
the whole archipelago was brought under
the influence of the Christian religion.
Five of the barbarous dialects were re-
duced to writing, portions of the Bible and
many school books were printed therein.
more than fifty churches. with 1900 COM
municants, were organized and schools
were established
in the meantime Spanish misruie caused
many native uprlsinEs. The Spanish gov
ernment undertook to spread it's sphere of
influence TO the Carolnes and a convention
was entered into between Madrid and
Washington, stipulating that the mission
aries should remain unmolested Never
theless, the Spaniards at once resorted TO
high-handed proceedings They found
that the missionaries had made the ma
tives more civilized and more self-respect-
Ing, and, therefore more difficult of sub
jugauon. They accused the Americans
of inclining the natives to revolt.
Churches, schools and dwellings all over
We're burned by Spanish shells. Spaniards
forbade the continuation of church and
school work of any sort Two mlssiona-
ries, Miss Fletcher and Miss Palmer,
were refused permission TO leave the ISL
and when an opportunity offered. and final
ly a Spanish fertilization, church and
priests house were erected on land be-
longing to the American Board of Foreign
Missions. Commander Fl. G. Taylor, COM
handing the United States steamer All
ance. arrived at the island and took the
missionaries to Nuskaie.
Outrages on the missionaries continued
until they were driven from The islands.
Relations between Spain and the United
States became very strained. For three
years the differences continued, until
Spain agreed TO pay an indemnity for the
expulsion of the missionaries and the de-
struction of their properly. The long labor
of Americans in the islands had gone for
naught and in 1885 efforts were made by
the United States to gain Spaln's consent
to allow the missionaries 10 resume their
work. Spain, however refused.