The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-23
THE CAROLINES UP TO DATE.
what the United states Consul at To-
mil Says of the Group.


mil Says of the Group.
WASHINGTON, Aug. I'm the adj
vance sheets of the consular reports late
ly issued by the State Department the
Caroline Islands was made the subject Of
an interesting description by the United
States agent at zap one Of the principal
islands of the group. The Consul de-
scrbes I'm a brief and entertaining man
ner the Isle OF zap. which, 10 is believed.
will bee seized by the United States ana
utilized as a coaling station or naval
base az the close of the pending peace me-
gouations. Interesting in the extreme ~
the history OF the people OF this little
island. occupying as it does sucn COM
handing position on the high road OF orr
ginal traffic.
The island proper, the Consul writes, IS
surrounded by d coral reef thirty-nve
miles long by five broad. There are hard
ly any rivulets I'm the area, but inland
are extensive swamps with dense
growth of tropical foliage. The Island is
rich in scenery. the groves of bamboo.
croton, cocoanut and spreading palms
eng most impressive. zap is fun Of
relics of a vanished ciVilizauon-old cm-
bankments and terraces sites OF ancient
cultivation. st0ne-paved roads enormous
council lodges OF quaint design, with bold.
high and projecting gables. and Lofty
cavern pillars. Walls of ancient fish
ponds and stone Weirs fiji the lagoon be
tween the coral reef and the shore. thus
making navigation a difficult matter on
many parts of the coast Huge species
OF ALLIGATOR are found i'm the underbrush,
and reptiles abound in great numbers
Bird life however, is scarce. and there
are but few cattle and horses on the Is
land.
There are about 5000 natives on Yap-
kindly. industrious and peaccable folk.
They are very dark In color and speak a
quaint dialect
The Consul. in conclusion. makes n
statement which bears no little sisnii-
canoe and treats Of a subject which may
In the event zap is seized by the United
States. cause no small friction with the
Germans. who even now are none too
friendly toward our country and the pol
icy Of our government in the Hispano-
American war. German traders have
spent vast amount of labor and money
in the last few years In building mp trade
In and about the Carolines The Isle OF
zap is rich I'm the production of cocoa
nuts the kernel or inside OF which, when
dried. is called cOpra and Is the chief are
ticle Of export Any interference with
the trade. which has been so greatly
stimulated by the labor Of the Germans.
would Immediately be met with a protest
from the German Government and con-
siderable discussion. II not serious
trouble. might follow.
The principal town Of the island IS
Tomil. which. the Consul writes. would
make an excellent coaling station. 1t s.
at present garrisoned by about 100 sold
icrs. with some 80 political prisoners,
captured In the late Philippine uprising
Tomi harbor is peopied with many Eu-
ropeans and is the seat or the Spanish
Governor of the Caroline Islands
Annexation it Is thought. would BE-
very acceptable 10 the inhabitants Of
this island as they. as In most cases
where Spanish rule predominates, are
tired Of the treatment they receive az the
hands Of the authorites.-Eartford Cou-
rant.