Marshall Islands History Sources No. 18
Treaty of friendship between the Marshallese chiefs
and the German Empire (1885)


The treaty between the German Empire and the chiefs of the Ralik Chain was drawn up in both German and Marshallese versions. The copy contained in the files of the German Office is a transcript of the originalwhich is reproduced in the document below as it appears in the archival text. As the text represents a historic document, no attempt has been made to modify the Marshallese text to conform with modern spelling. For the convenience of the English-speaking audience readers a translation has been added in the right hand column. The original has only one list of signatures under the German text. In this reproduction, the text of the signature list has been translated into English.

Treaty of friendship between the Marshallese chiefs and the German Empire (1885)

Korvetten Kapitain Rötger, Kommandant S.M Kreuzer "Nautilus" im Namen seiner Majestät, des Kaisers von Deutschland, sowie der Kaiserlich deutsche Konsulatsverweser F. Hernsheim auf der einen Seite, und der König Kabua, sowie die Häuptlinge Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak und Launa auf der anderen Seite have folgendes Abkommen getroffen:Kaipen Rötger iroj im wa in terinai an Germany etan Nautilus, kab Consul in Germany eo ej ber i ailing kein etan F. Hernsheim rejno rar bebe rainin iben iroj ron in ailing kein. Ekan an iroj Kabua, Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak, Launa:Korvetten Kapitain Rötger, commander of H.M. cruiser "Nautilus", representing His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, and the Imperial Consular Administrator F. Hernsheim for the one part, and King Kabua, as well as the chiefs Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak and Launa for the other part, have made the following agreement:
  

§ 1

 
Der König Kabua, sowie die Häuptlinge Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak und Launa, geleitet von dem Wunsche den legitimen Handel, welcher sich haupsächlich in den Händen deutscher Händler befindet, zu beschützen und den deutschen Kaufleuten volle Sicherheit zu gewähren, bitten um den Schutz Seiner Majestät, des deutschen Kaisers, damit diesselben in den Stand gesetzt werden die Unabhängigkeit des Gebietes zu wahren. Seine Majestät, der deutsche Kaiser, gewährt Seinen Schutz unter dem Vorbehalt aller gesetzmäßigen Rechte Dritter.Iroj ro etan Kabua, Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak, Launa bwe rej kanan kejbarok dri Grmany rej ber i ailing kein im kanned lale bwe dri ailing in re jab kokiai ir rej kajitok rainin iben iroj elaptata in Germany bwe e jibange a kin juon protectorate bwe in ejelok dri belli e naj marong drebeji ailing kein jen ir. Iroj elaptata in Germany ej lelok protectorate ak jab kok wi bebeko dri belli rar kameneman mogeda.King Kabua, as well as the chiefs Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak and Launa, guided by the desire to protect the legal trade, which is predominantly in German hands, and to provide the German traders with full security, request the protection of His Majesty, the German Emperor, so that they may be enabled to maintain the independence of the area. His Majesty, the German Emperor affords His Protection subject to all legal rights of third parties.
  

§ 2

 
Der König Kabua, sowie die Häuptlinge Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiack und Launa, werden keinen Teile ihres Landes ohne Genehmigung Seiner Majestät des deutschen Kaisers an irgend eine fremde Macht oder Person abtreten, noch werden sie Verträge mit fremden Mächten ohne vorherige Einwilligung Seiner Majestät des Kaisers, eingehen.E naj emo an irodj in ailing kein niakake jab rerrok jikin ak jabwenot matam ene nong jabrerror dri belli bar einwot e naj emo air bebe iben iroj ro jet ailingkan mogeda jen rar bebe iben iroj elaptata in Germany.King Kabua, as well as the chiefs Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak and Launa, will not provide any part of their land to any foreign power without permission by His Majesty, the German Emperor, nor will they enter into treaties with foreign powers without prior permission by His Majesty, the German Emperor.
  

§ 3

 
Der König Kabua, sowie die Häptlinge Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiack und Launa, gewähren allen deutschen Unterthanen und Schutzgenossen, welche in ihrem Lande wohnen, Schutz und wollen anderen Nationen niemals mehr Erleichterungen, Begünstigungen oder Schutz gewähren als den deutschen Unterthanen eingeräumt werden.Kabua kab irojro re naj kejbarok dri Germany im mia ko air im ne jamin lelok iben jab remot iroj in ailing kan juon bebi eman jen bebe in.King Kabua, as well as the chiefs Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak and Launa, will afford protection to all German subjects and protected persons who reside in their land, and will not offer other nations greater facilities, favours or protection than what is provided to German subjects.
  

§ 4

 
Der König Kabua, sowie die Häptlinge Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiack und Launa, werden kein deutsche Unternehmen betreffendes Gesetz erlassen, ohne vorher die Genehmigung Seiner Majestät, des deutschen Kaisers, eingeholt zu haben.Iro ro ailing kein re jamim kamane juon kien na lon dri belli mogeda jen rar bebe iben iroj elaptata in Germany.King Kabua, as well as the chiefs Lagajimi, Nelu, Loiak and Launa, will not pass legislation affecting German companies without having previously obtained the permission of His Majesty, the German Emperor.
  

§ 5

 
Seine Majestät, der deutsche Kaiser, wird in keiner Stunde den im Lande besteheneden freien Handel belasten.Iroj elaptata in Germany e jab in kamokeki ak jab bebe na ion miako an dri belli in aling kein.His Majesty, the German Emperor, will at no time limit the free trade existing in the islands.
  

§ 6

 
Die Vetrag schileßenden Parteien behalten sich künftige Vereinbarungen über die Gegenstände und Fragen von gegenseitigem Interesse, welche nicht in diesem Vertrage eingeschlossen sind, vor.E naj melim an iroj in Germany bar einmot an iroj ro in ailing kein bwe nen bar bebi kin jabrenot e jab berilo bebe in.The parties agreeing to this treaty reserve the right for future agreements on matters and questions of mutual interest which are not included in this treaty.
  

§ 7

 
   
Dieser Vertrag wird vorhaltlich der Ratification durch die deutsche Regierung fuglich in Kraft treten.
Zur Urkund dessen haben wir in Gegenwart der unterzeichneten Zeugen unsere Unterschriften hierunter vollzogen.
Bebe in e naj fino im ebo jen rainin, ak e naj an iroj elaptata in Germany wot bere in kabin ak uk oke. Bwe ebin im bujrak kein ar likeli etamo rainin
dribake gez. E.A. Blowe
[Dolmetscher]
This treaty will assume force subject to ratification by the German Government.
To document this we have affixed below our signatures in the presence of witnesses.
Jaluit, Marshall Inseln, den 15 October 1885Jaluit, Marshall Islands, 15 October 1885
gez. Kabua
gez. Loiak
gez. +++ [Handzeichen Lama's]
 
Als Zeugen:
gez. von Dresky
Kapitän Lieutnant
gez. E. Weber
gez. W. Schleuther
gez. Rötger
Korvetten Kapitain und
Kommandant S.M. Kreuzer
"Nautilus"
gez. Nelu
gez. Lagajimi
 
 
 
gez. Paucke
Lieutnant zur See
gez. F. Pfeffer
gez. John Nahl
gez. F. Hernsheim
Konsular Ver-
weser
signed Kabua
signed Loiak
signed +++ [mark by Lama]
 
Witnesses:
signed von Dresky
Kapitän Lieutnant
signed E. Weber
signed W. Schleuther
signed Rötger
Korvetten Kapitain and
Commander H.M. Cruiser
"Nautilus"
signed Nelu
signed Lagajimi
 
 
 
signed Paucke
Lieutenant
signed F. Pfeffer
signed John Nahl
signed F. Hernsheim
Consular Agent
Dem vorliegenden Vertrage sind noch die folgenden Häuptlinge beigetreten und haben dies duch ihre Unterschrift bekräftigt:

1. Der Häuptling Leangenat von Milli am 18ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" auf der Rhede von Milli
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Leangenat]

The following chiefs have acceeded to the previous treaty and have affirmed this by their signature.

1. The chief Leangenat of Milli on October 18th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" on Mili roads
signed +++ [mark by the chief Leangenat ]

2. Die Häuptlinge Ujelang und Lejuriak einerseits, sowie die Häuptlinge Dauwit und Legerijar andererseits alle von Arno am 20ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" in der Lagune von Arno.
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Ujelang]
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Lejuriak]
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Dauwit]
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Legerijar]
2. The chiefs Ujelang and Lejuirak for the one part and the chiefs Dauwit and Legerijar for the other part, all of Arno, on October 20th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" in Arno lagoon
signed +++ [mark by the chief Ujelang]
signed +++ [mark by the chief Lejuriak]
signed +++ [mark by the chief Dauwit]
signed +++ [mark by the chief Legerijar]
3. Die Häuptlinge Kaibuke, Reme und Luet von der östlichen Hälfte Majuru's am 22ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" in der Lagune von Majuru.
gez. Kaibuke
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Reme]
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Luet]
3. The chiefs Kaibuke, Reme and Luet for the eastern half of Majuro, on October 22th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" in Majuro lagoon
signed Kaibuke
signed +++ [mark by the chief Reme]
signed +++ [mark by the chief Luet]
4. Der Häuptling der westlichen Hälfte Majuru's Jiberik am 23ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" in der Lagune von Majuru.
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Jiberik]
4. The chief for the western half of Majuro, Jiberik, on October 23th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" in Majuro lagoon.
signed +++ [mark by the chief Jiberik]
5. Die Häuptlinge von Maloelap und Aur, Murijel und Lebaia | Lebukin | am 25ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" in der Lagune von Aur 5. The chiefs of Maloelap and Aur, Murijel and Lebaia | Lebukin | on October 25th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" in Aur lagoon
gez. Murijilgez. Lebukin signed Murijilsigned Lebukin
gez. +++ [Handzeichen des Häuptlings Lebaia ] signed. +++ [mark by the chief Lebaia ]
6. Die Häuptlinge von Ebon; Litokwa, Lekeri, Laneo und Lereka am 30ten October 1885 an Bord S.M. Kreuzer "Nautilus" in der Lagune von Ebon 6. The chiefs of Ebon, Litokwa, Lekeri, Laneo und Lereka on October 30th, 1885 on board H.M. cruiser "Nautilus" in Ebon lagoon
gez. Litokwa
gez. Lekeri
gez. Laneo
gez. Lereka
signed Litokwa
signed Lekeri
signed Laneo
signed Lereka
gez. Rötger
Kommandant S.M. Kreuzer
"Nautilus"
gez. F. Hernsheim
Konsular Ver-
weser
signed Rötger
Korvetten Kapitain and
Commander H.M. Cruiser
"Nautilus"
signed F. Hernsheim
Consular Agent

 

Source: Copy of the document, dated 1 November 1885 and witnessed by Korvetten Kapitain Rötger contained in Auswärtiges Amt, Kolonial-Abteilung. Streitigkeiten mit den einheimischen Missionaren auf Ebon und Saipan. 20 December 1885 ¹ August 1887. Series. Kirchen - und Schulsachen 2h nÞ3. file no RKA 2606. National Library of Australia, Canberra. Mfm nÞ . G8557.




[Home Page]      [History Sources ToC]


CONTACT:
Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, P.O.Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia.
e-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au


select from the following...
FAQ
Environment
Politics
Economy
Health
Communications
Geography
History
World War II
Society
Culture
Art
Literature
Stamps
 


Digital Micronesia-An Electronic Library & Archive is provided free of charge as an advertising-free information service for the world community. It is being maintained by Dirk HR Spennemann, Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management, Institute of Land, Water and Society and School of Environmental & Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. The server space and technical support are provided by Charles Sturt University as part of its commitment to regional engagement. Environmental SciencesInformation Sciences

© Dirk Spennemann 1999– 2005
Marshall Islands Kosrae CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Guam Wake Pohnpei FSM Federated States of Micronesia Yap Chuuk Marshall Islands politics public health environment culture WWII history literature XXX Cultural Heritage Management Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences CNMI German Colonial Sources Mariana Islands Historic Preservation Spennemann Dirk Spennemann Dirk HR Spennemann Murray Time Louis Becke Jane Downing Downing