Six Truk village chiefs, including Natsushima’s, declare they want to stay under Japanese rule rather than return to Germany.

What happened

The declaration was sent by the Japanese naval commander to the Navy vice-minister in a coded telegram after the armistice that ended the First World War, while the islands’ future was still undecided. As transmitted, Kireron, head chief of Natsushima (Tonoas), and five other head chiefs said they wished to remain forever under Japan’s “benevolent rule” and did not want to return to Germany’s “bad rule.” It is known only through this Japanese official record.