Evening star., 1937-02-28

future use as Pacific air bases and,
after disembarking its IL colonists
(eight of the 20 volunteers taken
along were in the nature of spares
against the possible outbreak Of sick
ness or homesickness among the chosen
12). the Itasca made similar visits
to SWANS, Tutuila and Johnston Is
lands. then refueled at Pago Pago and
revisited the mid-Pacific colonies on its
way back to Honolulu Mr. Miller re-
ported that the personnel was COM
Portable. satisfied and happy as well
as physically fit, a fact ascertained
through careful examinations con-
Quoted by the ItascaS doctor.
The Coast Guard cutter left Homo
lulu again on June 8, 1885. visiting
Kingmans Reef, Palmyra, Baker, Jar
Wis, Rowland and johnson Islands
and leaving supplies and water at the
three coloniZed ones. A third expe-
dition by the Itasca in September re-
lieved some Of the personnel at How
land. Baker and Jarvis with fresh
colonists from the Kamehameha
Schools, those taken back to Honolulu
including several foot ball players
whose outdoor life, fishing, swimming
and developing their temporary island
hermitage had put them in the pini
Of condition. They also returned with
tidy sum Of spending money due
them on arrival in Honolulu, each
colonist receiving SO a day for the
time spent on the islands.
"Claims" Held Valid.
The Itasca's next visit to the Eoua-
torial group was in January, 1886. the
vessel continuing to Samoa, where il
remained about a month. On the
return trip in March. the entire per-
sonnel at Rowland, Baker and Jarvis
was picked up and returned to Homo.
lulu, the Department of Commerce
acting on the theory that a years
continuous occupation Of the island
was sufficient to insure permanent title
to them by the United States.
This view, however, was not shared
by the State Department and, after
the Government had decided that con-
tinued colonization OF the island
should be responsibility of the De-
partment Of the Interior rather than
Of the Department of Commerce, the
islands we're recolonized on the same
basis as before in June, 1936-no other
nation meanwhile having Jumped
claim" on them-and put under the
supervision of Richard B. Black, field
representative of the Department OF
the Interior, who visited them with
Mr.. Miller in July.
Houses Succeed Tents.
On this trip the Itasca carried
three prefabricated houses to take
the place Of the tent shelters formerly
used by the colonists, and the Govern.
ment architect who had designed
them went along to supervise their
erection. They consisted of q living
and radio room, a bedroom and q
kitchen, with a large front porch
opening of the living room. Navy
experts from Honolulu instructed the
colonists in the technique Of taking
surface and upper air weather data
and left them the necessary equip
ment for such observations; since last
August information has been re-
layed daily by radio to Honolulu from
both Rowland and Jarvis Islands:
Baker being SO near the former that
1t was felt there was no need for II
to send out separate reports.
The Governments policy with re.
spect to its three new colonies is tc
change all personnel every six months
relieving any who become ill or dis.
contented whenever a boat calls with
supplies. Each island has been pro.
vided with an 800-gallon water stor.
age tank which the colonists have
buried in the sand to protect theil
contents from the tropic sun, and