Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-22
MISSIONARIES
FROM FIR NAURU
IN VARS Wake
Rev. Philip Delaporte and Fam
lily Here From Christian
Work In South Seas
ISLANDS Flag CHANGED
FROM GERMAN TO BRITISH
New Officials Aid Missionary
Work; RoWdies In Phosphate
Camps Make Trouble

Rev. PAaHp A. Delaporte, mission
ary from Central Union church to
Nauru island, in the Marshall group.
arrived in Honolulu this morning on
the Ventura Mrs. Delaporte, for
whose health the trip is taken, and
their two children accompany him.
They will make their home for the
next two weeks at the residence Of
Rev. John T. Gulick. 2329 East Manoa
road.
With Rev. Delaporte also are Miss
mission work. and Tim Detudano. a
native translator and teacher in the
missien school. The party is bound
for Oberlin. Ohio, where the three
cider children Of the missionaries art
attending preparatory school. The
length of their furIongh from the
American board Is uncertain.
The Delsportes left Honolulu on the
Morning Star, April T.. 1899 and
reached Nauru in November of the
same year. He. has since reduced the
dialect. OF the island to a written form
for the Bible. His first translation OF
the New Testament was completed in
1907 and printed by the press rigged
up on the island. He Is now working
ON translation of the revised version
of the New Testament and a largepor-
tion Of the Old Testament He will
also print $50 gospel hymns in the
Nauruan script for use in the mission.
so eager have the natives become
krN 80 h. - n.
Christians" said the missionary, that
they raised the nspoftatiUn money
for Tim DetudaRO among themselves
They wish to be represented when the
books were turned into the language
they understand"
When asked about the treatment ac-
corded him since the British occupa.
ton of the little island, Rev. Della.
porte could not find enough praise.
worthy words to describe the courte-
BUSINESS of the British military Off
Cials.
''As missionaries We steer clear Of
politics. Uncompromising neutrality
is our slogan as American citizens.
However. we must gradually change
the German on our school curriculum
to English" explained the south Sea
teacher.
Rev. DelapOrte. can tell how the
Australian cruiser Melbourne arrived
September 10 last, destroyed the wire.
less station, and hoisted the British
flag where the German coIors had
flown since 1888. The occupation of
Nauru did not come until November
s. when the British steamer Messina
landed 80 soldiers and declared all
German residents prisoners Of war
The Germans were taken to the con.
camp at Liverpool neal
Sydney.
Since the occupation We have had
trouble with the rowdy
employees Of the Pacific Phosphate
continued the missionary
The military men have been our sole
protectors against the mob of Austria.
lian workmen, who after the Germans
we're removed, attacked the house
Of Miss Meitzner because she is Ger
man. On Christmas Eve and again
ON New Years Eve We required the
protection of British soldiers to save
us from the drunken crowd of Austria
liam roughs.
When | came away from the island
in March entrusted the mission prop
erty to Hon. Charles Workman. tn.
British administrator, knowing that he
would care for it. He is a good friend |
both to the mission and to the ma.
tives.''