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Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7782, 9 February 1891, Page 5

Spain and tub Cabolinb Islamm.—A. Madrid correspondent transmits the particulars which the Minister of Colonies in that city has received as to the expedition ■which waa sent lest September to punish the refractory tribes in the Caroline Islands, it consisted of a column of about 500 men and of the oruisers Velaeco and TJlloa. Lieut.-Colonel Gutierrez Solo, who was in command, had intended, when he left Ponape, to go by land to the territory occupied by the Metalanim tribes. But, owing to the difficulties which the close brushwood and dense vegetation presented, he had to abandon this project and go to Metalanim by sea. The column landed there on September 16th, encamped, but the next morning Colonel Solo was found dead in his tent, the belief being that he had committed suicide put of mortification at having failed to make the march overland. A naval captain named Paredis then took command of the expedition,{and ehortly afterwards attacked the neighboring port of Oua> where most of the rebels were massed. The natures made a desperate defence, having dug two lines of trenches, and fortified the Protestant chutcb, the Methodise schools, and several houses. The attack lasted alt day, but by nighc time Ona was reduced to ruins, and the Kanaka tribe which lad been defending it fled into the forest. By the end of the month order was re established in the Caroline Islands, and the rebels had appealed, through friendly tribes, to the Governor to pardon them. The correspondent adds, however, that Spain will probably encounter serious difficulties in effecting a permanent pacification of the country, as the rebels, though beaten in this instance, defended themselves so well that they may be encouraged to try conclusion* afresh.