Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
WILL BE GIVEN UP
Islands Not Covered by the Treaty 1f
Paris.
CLAIMED BY SPANISH GOVERNMENT
Flag Was Recently Raised by a
Naval Commander.
L E LANDS DESCRIBED

Upon representations of the Spanish gov
ernment to the effect that some of the
Islands south of the Philippine archipelago.
which had been taken possession of by
United States gunboats were really the
property of Spain, the authorities of the
State Department have examined the
charts. and concluded to direct the with
drawal of our claims to the islands of Cav
gayan Sulu and Cibutu. both of which lie
without the boundary lines laid down by
the treaty Of Paris.
The Flag Must Be Lowered
The American flag was recently raised
over these two islands by the commanding
officer of one of the vessels of Admiral
Watson's fleet, under the impression that
they were included in the cessions to the
United States under the treaty of Paris OF
December 10, 1898. 1t having been ascer-
tained, however. that such was not the
case, and that the islands are not under
the sovereignty of the United States, the
stars and stripes will necessarily be low
cred on those islands. These islands are
thus described in a recent report to the
British admiralty, made by Captain CHM
mo. r. N, who visited those waters in
search of suitable coaling stations for the
British navy:
Description of the Group.
"Cagayan de Sulu is a small group in the
southwestern part of the Sulu sea, bearing
about 100 miles north by west from Cape
Unsang, on Borneo, and seventy-five miles
east of Mallawalle Island, south of Ban
guey. 1t seems to belong to no power. un-
less claimed by the SUlu sultan, and was a
resort of pirates
There several isIets In the north
ward. The northernmost, Quinapusan, is
eleven miles north one-half west from the
chief island. and the southernmost Mutt
gins, five miles to the southwest. One is in
the form of a saddle. They have an an
chorage near them, and they are safe to
approach.
THE chief island, Cagayan. is large. Loco
feet high and well clothed with trees. 1t
is of volcanic origin. and a portion Of It
appears as a complete crater. having one
or more very deep circular basins within
the edge, but they are quite barred from
approach from the sea. Cagayan is about
twenty-five miles in circumference, nearly on
every point surrounded by fringe reef OF
coral in very active and progressive state,
and which affords protection to canoes and
RATS made of bamboo to travel from one
point to another in smooth lanes Of water
enabling the natives TO pursue their fishing
on which they chiefly exist, without being
subjected to heavy seas.
THE men fish, while the women do all
the laborious work, such as carrying water
pounding rice, etc. We found them very
friendly all around the island, constantly
coming on board and accompanying US
for trifle) in cutting down trees and
clearing away bushes. There are safe
anchorages around the island in both mon
soonS; that in the northeast is safe and
good on the southwest side in from eight
to ten fathoms; another good anchorage on
the southwest side of Keena poussan in ten
fathoms; d third about mile south of the
little islet, at the entrance to the crater,
on the southeast side. in twelve fathoms
but all on coral bottoms. The water on
the east side Of the island is the deepest
having 2i0 fathoms one mile off the land
and strong tide rips around her often
the deepest water.
FayOrably Located for Trade.
The southeast side of the island is by
far the most picturesque and interesting,
but not the best anchorage; the land here
slopes to the south, is richly wooded, and
many parts cleared, having plantations Of !
bananas and sweet potatoes; but no dwell
irgs are visible from the ship, nor did any
natives visit US, they so readily did at
the southwest end on our first arrival
do not know any island | have seen over
the world more favorably situated for
trade, or more suitably adapted for culti-
walton. Rice, sugar. cocoa. coffee. maize,
potatoes and vegetables would all grow if
cultivated. Cotton and tobacco were al
ready growing there The soil is excellent,
rlch OF trap formation, with sufficient sand
to make it loose and friable. Cattle of all
sorts, horses, cows, sheep, pigs and poul-
try, would fatten and thrive there Enter
prising men. with some Chinese labor
would soon make 1t a valuable island and
not disagreeable one TO live on