The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-07-14
sPAIN,s LosT coLoNIRs
The only Colonial Possessions Re-
naming 20 the Spanish Crown
Are IN Africa

In disPosing Of her remaining pos
sessions IN the Pacific ocean 10 Ger
many, Spain retains colonial territories
only in Africa and the neighbOring wa
tiers These possessions are i've towns
along the north coast Of Morocco, name
", Ceuta, Tetuan, Velez de Ia Gomera,
AIhucemas and I[eliIIa, and the Chafa-
rinas islands; the Canary islands, which
are administered as province Of Spain;
the large district Of Rio de Orc, front
ing on the Atlantic between CaPes BO-
jadOr and Blanco for about 500 miles
in the north to 600 miles in the south,
the whole embracing 243, 900 square
miles, mostly sand, and the possession
Of the eastern part being contested by
France; the little territory Of Ifni, on
the coast Of southern Morocco, embrac-
ing only p square miles; in the Gulf Of
Guinea, the islands Of Fernando Pc and
AnnabOn; and near the northwest cor
ner Of the French Congo, San Juan,
small section Of the mainland drained
by the lower NUM- and Campo rivers,
whose possession is disputed by France,
and Corisco bay, with its little islands
pire Of Spain is finally reduced 10 a to-
tal area Of pa, 3Os square miles, includ-
ing the considerable regions OF which
France claims to be the rightful owner.
The areas lost to Spain as the result Of
the war embrace Cuba, 45,s72 square
miles; coded 30 the United States, 49,
$50 square miles philippines and Sulu
islands, 115,sOO; Porto Rico, 1865;
Guam, 5ss); and disposed Of to Ger
many, Go square miles Caroline and
PeleY islands, 500, and LadrOne is
lands, except Guam, 500. SPANS colo
NAL possessions have been reduced in
the past year by 165, s3s square miles Of
territory.
Spain has acted wisely in dfsposing
Of the remnant Of her Pacific posses
sions, because they have been nothing
to her except a source Of trouble. The
CarOines embrace ESQ islets and islands,
none OF which Is Of territorial and few
Of commercial Importance except zap
and Ponapc, and they are 1900 miles
apart. Spanish pride was deeply
touched when the Germans raised their
flag over Ysp in 1855, and there was
great Joy when the friendly fnterTen-
ton Of the Pope, on October p Of that
year, confirmed SPANS title to the is
lands. But ever since that day Spain
has found the islands more trouble
some than ever. Mr.. T. ". Christian,
who spent 1896 in scientific researches
in the Carolines, has told Of the expen-
sive military establishments supported
by Spain at zap and Ponape and the
squandering Of many lives in the con-
tinual efforts to queu native risings.
Spain has derived no advantage what
ever from these possessions, for she has
received no revenues from the natives
and the trade has been mOnopOized by
the Germans, Americans and japanese,
who have made a fair living by handling
the exports Of coPra, beehe-de-mer,
vegetable ivory, and turtle and pearl
shell. The cOpra annually exported is
about 100000 pounds, nearly One-haH
Of which IS supplied by the island Of
zap.
The Pelew islands lie to the west Of
the Carolines and include some 200
islets, the principal island, Babel
ThaOb, being equal in area to all the
others. The islands are well worth
opening 70 uOuE6L anu CuGL BGLAl AAdNSB
for no islands in the Pacific Of the same
size surpass the large Pelews in natu-
raj resources. Turtle shells, coPra and
beche-de-mer are the chief products;
great quantities Of yams, breadfruit
and cOcoanuts are grown, and on the
largest island there is an abundance of
good pasturage. But Spain has done
nothing whatever with the Pelews, has
had no Spanish garrison there and has
not interfered in any way with the civil
wars in almost incessant progress
among the various tribes.
The islets in the LadrOnes that now
become German have an area OF only
about 80 square miles, and are Of little
Importance, the prize OF that group,
Guam, having fallen to the United
States The change from Spanish to
German sovereignty in the CarOlines
viii be heartily welcomed both by the
natives and the foreign merchants in
business there, for It is well known that
the traders, Protestant missionaries
and natives have been restless and un-
happy under the Spani&h regime, and
that the friends Of Spain have been linn
tied to the garrisons and the Spanish
Priests.-N. Y. Sun.
saturn's Ninth Satellite.