The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-24

w.
seized the Ladrone islands, q group be-
longing to Spain about l, 900 miles east
of the Philippines, and that tho seizure
of the Carolines is also possible. some
description of these islands will DO Of
interest.
The Caroline islands, likewise q pos
session Of the Spanish crown, compose
q widely scattered archipelago situated
southeast Of the Philippines and due
north Of New Guinea. The group con-
sists Of about 700 islands, q few of them
basaltic, but by far the greater part Of
coral origin. Coral islands are not or
dinarily fertile. They are characterized
by q thin soil. scanty rainfall and lin
| tied vegetation. The cocoanut palm and
the screw pine, bearing q large bunch
Of juicy fruit, thrive on them, but lit
| tie else that can sustain human life.
The volcanic islands, on the other hand,
such as Kusaie. Ponape, Ruk, Pelew
and Yap, are high, densely wooded and
fertile, yielding bread fruit, ~cocoanuts,
sugar cane, oranges and bananas. On
the whole, the archipelago offers limit
ed attractions to trade.
The natives of the islands are Of the
brown Polynesian race, with straight
| hair, and possess all tho characteristics
| of q savage race. They still go nearly
or quite naked, with tattooed bodies,
and are fond Of war. As no census has
ever been taken, estimates Of the popu-
lation vary greatly. From what 10
| known Of the islands already explored,
- ~~--ok - 1occ x6on fnA 00n
The islands were probably first visit
ed by Alvaro de Saavedra in 1898 and
afterward, in 1879. by the navigator
Drake. In 1885 they were undiscovered
by the Spanish Admiral Francesca La
xeano, who gave them the name they
now bear In honor Of Charles III 81
| Spain. The islands have at difcreut
times been claimed by Spain, England.
| Germany, and, In fact, by almost all
the European powers. The points claim
ed In favor Of Spain are . probable pri-
GRITTY Of discovery, the fixing ON the 10
lands Of . Spanish name by Lazeano
and the proximity Of Spanish posses
siona
From the Philippines and Ladrone t.
lands more or less intercourse has been
had with zap and the other western
most islands Of the Caroline archipela-
20. Yap 10 q volcanic island Of consid-
cradle size, with an excellent harbor on
the southeast. The natives + Of q
higher grade Of civilization than most
Of their neighbors.. They build first rate
boats, lay out their villages regularly.
pave their streets and construct stone
piers and whArfs. A Spanish mission
was established In the island in 1865.
Germany, in 1886, laid claim to GER
tain Of the CarolinesL Adispute occur
red as to the ownership Of zap, and
there was a long international quarrel,
which was finally settled by the pope in
favor Of Spain. A protocol was issued
by Spain and Germany, in which the
latter country was granted coaling and
naval stations and permission to estab-
fish farming colonies.
What is known Of the Carolines has
come to us mainly through American
missionaries, who for more than 40
years labored among the debased popu-
lations with great success The larger
islands, such as Kusaie, Ponape and
Ruk, were occupied by evangelizing
agencies, and the work of education and
civilization passed rapidly from group
to group, until nearly the whole archi-
pelago was brought under the influence
Of the Christian religion. Five Of the
barbarous dialects were reduced to writ
ing, portions Of the Bible and many
schoolbooks were printed therein, more
49,. En n, ~,l.c eth A A0A rDxx.rurpt
cants, were organized and schools were
established.
In the meantime Spanish misrule
caused many native uprisings. The
Spanish government undertook to ex-
tend its sphere of influence to the Caro-
lines, aud a convention was entered
into between Madrid and Washington,
STIMULATING that the American mission
aries should remain unmolested- Never
theless, tho Spaniards at once rcsorted
to high handed proceedings, They
found that the missionaries had made
the natives more civilized and more
self respecting and therefore more diff
cult of ~subjugation. They accused the
Americans of melting the natives tc
revolt.
Churches, schools and dwellings a,
Qua were burned by Spanish shells
Spaniards forbade tho continuation Of
church and school work Of any sort
Two missionaries, Miss Fletcher ant
Miss Palmer. were refused permission
to leave the island when an opportuni
ty offered. and finally q Spanish FORTH,
cation, church and priests house were
erected ON land belongineto the Ameri
can Board Of Foreign Missions. Com
iaandcr II. @. Taylor, commanding tn.
United States steuincr Alliance, arrived
at the island and took tho missionaries
TO Nuskaie.
Outragss on the American mision'