The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-05

seemed to be about four or five leagues
round and OF god height.
There was much controversy in the
eighteenth century over the Identity OF
this island. European vessels sought
In vain for IT. Some geographers as
serted that Dampler's information was
inaccurate. and that he had mistaken
one OF the Talaut group for Meangis'
and that Nanusa was one OF the neigh
boring islands he described. Others
believed he had reference 10 the Manu-
sa group. Three little islands south
east OF Cape St. Augustin or Mindanao
were supposed by still others 70 De the
land referred to by pampier. They ap-
peared on some of the maps as The
English Myangees" Thus the maps OF
the last century showed the Islands in
a number OF positions but most au-
thorities believed them 20 be Identical
with the Nanusa group and this ny
pothesis has been in favor until quite
recently. The renowned geographer
Heinrich Berghaus made careful
study of the question In 1892 without
reaching any conclusion. The ,ntcn-
man Stemfoort and Ten Siethoff, in
1888 declared that the Nanusa group
could not be the islands referred 10 by
Dampier and, according TO Or. Wich-
man, they CONSTRUCTED" a new group
10 the north 10 which they cDplieC the
names "Melangies." In 1883 Mr.. Eb-
binge- Wubben declared that the exist
ence of the islands could not be shown
unless further evidence was discov-
cred The name has disappeared from
most OF all OF the maps since 1882 De-
cause it's application. thus far, 20 any
OF the islands has been merely hypoth-
etical. In 1926. however, a. j. Van Del
ten had declared that Palmas Island
was the island OF Melangies." He had
hit the nail on the head, but no at
tention was paid 10 him,
In 1895. Mr.. f.. Stellar. n missionary
on Sangr one of the Dutch iclands,
wrote TO DIR. Wichmann that the iden-
tity of Dampiers Meangis had un-
doubtedly been discovered. 1t was
Palmas Island. Dampier's translitera-
tion of the native name did not cor
rectly represents it's pronunciation and
Miangas Is the preferred photography.
Later in the same year he wrote that
Mr.. Hauet. commander OF the Dutch
government steamer De Raaf. had vis-
tied the island surveyed IL and deter
mined ITS position 10 be degrees, 81
minutes. 30 seconds north latitude and
1876 degrees. S2 minutes. 57
seconds east longitude. The IN
habitants about 400 i'm number,
can plainly see the mountains Of Min
dapao and have trade relations with
that island. The Dutch flag was raised
over that island and II was the inten-
tion TO return and formally invost the
chief with tho Povernorshlp under the
suzerainty Of the Netherlands This
ceremony was 90 be expedited because
IL was thought the Spaniards with
whom he had an active trade. might
compel him to hoist the Spanish flag.
There is only one island. but the
proof is satisfactory that Dampier was
laboring under an optical illusion whom
! he told of three islands Carta ret
| named palmas "Hummock Island "
| and in his brief description. pri0ted i'm
| 1878. he said. zone ridge of mountains
| rises behind another so that at a
| great distance II pnpears not like one
| island. hut several" John Hunter also
wrote In 17aS that at tho northwest
point Of Palmas Us a high rounded
| hill and not far from n ave oth@rs
gradually Decreasing IN height and that
at a dlstsnce of five son miles they
have the anpearance of rising separate
ly out of the sea.
The oficiPi conformation of these
atatersents nv the Dutch government.
IN 1898. leaves no room for doubt that