Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-08-17
THE CAROLINE ISLANDS.
People, Fertility, Possibilities and
Beauties of the Group.


Among SPANS possessions in the East,
pext in Importance to the Philippines, and
in some respects even more important, are
the Carolines. This archipelago lies be-
tween ATTITUDES degree and Il degrees p
minutes north and longitudes 1877 degrees
80 minutes and 1872 degrees 81 minutes east
from Greenwich, to the west OF the Mar
shall group, covering the sea from the
Rullick chain to the Palaos or Pelew Is.
lands, distance of more than 1000 miles.
1t contains more than 500 islands, most
of which are but very little known. Some,
especially those toward the west have
been depopulated by the Spaniards for the
settlement of the Ladrones; others are
very populous and, excepting the cluster
known as the Senrayines, at the eastern
end OF the archipelago, and zap, at the
opposite extremity, have happily made,
till recently, but little acquaintance with
civilized man and his ways.
The principal islands under direct Span
ish control are ITALIAN, Ascensio Hogaleu
or san Estevan, Nuquor, Monteverde, and
zap. The remaining islands and island
clusters OF this group, to the number OF
more than thirty, are comparatively I'M
known, and some are not even marked on
the maps.
Galan is about eighty miles in circum-
ference, and has two secure harbors for
the largest vessels. The inhabitants in
1874 mum bered about 1000; were reduced
in 1854 to 400, and are now nearly extinct.
They are of light copper complexion, in
telligent, industrious, and we'll disposed,
although TO some extent demoralized by
contact with whalers and beche- de- mer
fishers. They We're hospitable, and often,
when the guest was European, insisted
upon serving him first, contenting them
selves with the remains of the meal
The island is very productive and COW
cred with valuable timber, from the shore
TO the summit of the mountains. Some
of this wood is of the best quality for
shipbuilding purposes, perfectly straight
and of great length. In addition its dura-
bility is remarkable, and it is imperme-
able by the saltwater worm. For these
reasons the contractors for the drydock
and wharves in Shanghai obtained the
piles needed in the work from here and
from Ascension, and the timber has given
great satisfaction. Most of the land lies
idle; the natives do no more than the I'M
avoidable amount of labor to provide
themselves with food, which in a great
measure grows spontaneously.
Ascension, or Ponape, as it is sometimes
named, is, like Ualan, of a volcanic basalt
formation, but much larger. This island
contains very considerable tracts Of COM
paratively level or sloping land, and is
clothed from the beach to the mountain
tops with every kind OF the most glorious
tropical vegetation and forests of mag
ni6cent timber trees. There are many
streams in all directions, with cascades for
the turning Of mills and in the valleys be-
low of sufficient volume for the floating
of RATS and navigation by boats.
The population is fast disappearing. In
1858 there were not fewer than 1900 in
ha bitants ON the island when whaling
ship visited it and left the germs of dis
ease. In 1874 there were fewer than ! 900
inhabitants, who in 1884 had dwindled to
1000 souls. The people do not go much to
sea. They are kindly disposed and peace
able, and though they have often been
decimated by hordes of lawless ruftian5
from Manila, Guam and Peru, have re
NAMED hospitable, generous and indus
trious. The women are handsome and CO.
quettish. The island has received the not
very flattering title of "beachcom ber's
paradise"
There are three good harbors on Ascen-
sion Metallanim, Rouan Xiii, and Jo-
koite-so that there is shelter at all times
according to the prevailing winds, each OF
these harbors being within a coral reef,
which provides double security. Some
white men and Lascars have long been