The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-02
LANDS WITHOUT COLONIES.
Only a Single Lntin-American State Has
Acquired q Colony

One OF the most interesting facts that
will occur TO any one who q map
Of the colonial possessions OF the world
Is that, Of all the Latin-American countries
| o~ccupying about one-half Of the Western
| world, none has acquired any lands out
side Of it's continental domain except the
little republic Of Ecuador. The Galapagos
Islands, which form a little world apart
far from the coast OF South America, belong
| politically TO Ecuador. These fifteen Islands
are really worth developing, though Ecua-
dor has lone scarcely anything for them
except TO occupy them in 1892. Their
settled population, concentrated on Chatham
Island, is now less than 800.
All the other Latin-American countries
have had so much trouble at home that
they apparently have not cared to acquire
| possible trouble abroad. At all events,
their territorial ambition has been con-
fined TO the mainland, where most OF them
are still claiming more land than their
neighbors concede TO belong to them.
Argentina, to DO sure, still asserts that
the Falkland Islands belong to her by
right, but Great Britain has never conceded
the claim and Is in full possession Of the
islands. The misunderstanding Is sim
unsettled and seems to have been pigeons
holed without any agreement. IL Is years
since Argentina filed her last protest.
Chile maintains the most southern post
Office in the world at Punta Arenas. There
| are settlements further south where mails
have irregular distribution, but Punta
Arenas is Included ia the postal system OF
the country If which IL IL a part. But
this settlement on the Straits OF Magellan
is as much a part OF Chle proper as val
paraiso. The lime was when chile, II she
had been 20 disposed, might have acquired
some of the Pacific groups, for they were
open 10 the first conner, and Chile, being
nearest 20 them, had considerable In
fuence among them. Even to-day the
Chilean silver dollar IL current tWO-thiTds
of the way across the ocean between Chile
and Australia. Il j. ouu IN Samoa and
the Tonga group ard barely misses the
Fiji Islands. But chile lost her chance.
She has been absorbed 10y home boundary
disputes 10 the exclusion 81 All the early
opportunitics 90 acquire Pacific islands.
France, in fact, Is now the only Latin
| country that may be called n colonial power
Of large importance. The tanary Islands
are to-day the most valuable remnant
remaining Ia Spain f her former vast
G ,lonial empire. p~ortUgal's African pos
sessions are large, but she is depending
upon foreign capital and enterprise Tor
most Of their dc,y.,I meut Which Is a. yet
very small in y',lnrtlon 10 their great
nor,llation and extent. Italy's territory
on the east coast of Africa has been an
extensive luxury and has involved her In
the Illumination Of being the first white
power in Africa 10 be dCcisively defeated
by n native Zoe.
The European Powers that have no
colonies are the Kingdom Of Sweden and
Norway, which has long ~acOas but
small population; Austria-H Hungary, which
has n worry short seacOast but large popu-
lation: Switzerland and Scrvia, which have
no sea coasts, and all the other Balkan
States except Turkey, some Of the out
living parts Of whose empire enable II 10
take rauk among the colonial Powers
All the Asiatic possessions OF Russia bear
the relation 81 colonies 10 The central Gov.
rumcut Belgium, TO all intents ana
purposes, Is responsible for the Congo
State aud may declare II a colony when
she chooses to do so.
Jayan entered the colonial Arena WIN
the acquisition Of Fofnosa, and thina wouild
have stepped out OF II 10y the loss 81 the
same island II il had not been for posses
sious IN Central Asia which she etll holds
The Chinese arc great colonizers along ne
coasts OF Asia and m the Malay Archi-
pelago; but when they leave their native
shores they have To 90 TO foreign coun-
tries. Siam. Persia, Af~ghanlstan ana Iorea,
which ARE counted among the Independents
countries Of Asia. have no Colonics.
The regions Of the world that rnnk as
colonies are far greater In extent than all
the States that have no colonies; and some
Of the colonies such a. Canada, Australia
and India are Of far more Importance than
most Of the independent States that do not
kSL1 foreign DO SSeSsiOns.