The Caroline Islands.

Manawatu Herald, 31 May 1898, Page 2

The Caroline Islands.

The news of the revolt in the Caroline Islands is of very little importance as far as the inhabitants go, but in another direction it may open up graver difficulties. The Caroline Islands, with the Pelew group, lie well to the eastward of the Phillipines and consist of some 500 small islets or atols. The inhabitants are strongly built, gentle, amiable, and intelli gent and they are bold sailora. Wbere there is a chance of tronble is that in 1885 the Germans hoisted their flag on the island of Yap, at which Spain was much irritated and a long and sharp dispute took place which was only ended by the Pope being appointed an arbitrator. His decision was in favour of Spain, but, perhaps to smooth matters over, he reserved to Germany special trade privileges. Where islands are, Great Britain is generally found to own some of the sample, and so in this group Great Britain is the proud possessor of an island near the Marquesas which is only two square miles in area. We have heard that Spain to gain the aid of France has offered her the Pbillipine Islands, and if the Spaniards would give up these larger islands it would not take much to make her offer the Carolines to some one else lor favours to come, and the bait would be a very tempting one to Germany, and would be as objectionable to Great Britain as the transfer of the Phillipines to France would be. Spain has yet a good many trump oards in her hand to play before it will be possible for the Americans to carry out their decision to hold Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Phillipines, and it almost appears to be bad policy on the part of the Americans to declare their intention of retaining any territory which they may, perhaps, obtain from Spain by force. It certainly is helping Spain to make such a declaration as it would tempt both France and Germany to do much to get the territories for themselves previous to America having any title to them.