The "King of Christmas Island" in the Pacific
Amercans want to buy his empire - but Emanuel Rougier II doesn't like that.
On 24th December 1777 Cook discovered this island of 607 square kilometers at 10 degrees northern latitude and 157 degrees
western longitude when sailing his long voyage through the Pacific. To honour this day he named the island
Christmas Island. On 17th March 1888 an English Captain claimed the island officially for his King. Subsequently
England didn't look after this nice island so a curious empire could loom there.
The French missionary Emmanuel Rougier came to Christmas Island whose inhabitants were still cannibals. He studied their
customs, learned their language and made himself popular with his helpfull activities. Some day he was called
to the accommodation of a tribal chief who seemed to be dying. The sorcerer had already resigned, the other leaders of his tribe
squatted round his bed in deep sadness saying their last prayers. The Father knew the deseases in this region,
opened his medical case and asked to be left alone with the sick. When he left, the chief seemd to have gained
vital force again. The Missionary repeated the treatment the following day and soon the sick man was completely
cured. From this day Father Rougier's reputation was well-founded and the simple-hearted natives credited him
with supernatural power and as a reward the chief presented him with one of his small islands.
The Father tried to take advantage of the so far unused soil of his island, then sold it, bought other ones
and just before the war he bought the concession from an English Compnay to exploit Christmas Island with
a lease contract timed for 99 years.
When Father Rougier grew old he searched for a successor and found him in his nephew who carried the same name.
So at one fine day a young couple called at Christmas Island. Emmanuel Rougier II was thoroughly instructed
by his uncle and took over authority over the island from him. He also was crazy about this task and soon was
loved and worshipped by his people as his uncle had been.
Recently an unexpected disturbance penetrated the idyll of this "King of Christmas Island". It was detected that
this island - thanks to the lagoon, like on all coral islands, which has always calm waters - would be an ideal place
for the touchdown of flying boats. The Americans casted an eye on the island and wanted to arect a refueling
station there for their airline connections to Australia. Therefore they approached Rougier with very tempting
offers to buy his claims. But the Frenchman - like all his fellow countrymen from Auvergne - is a true pighead
and has no intention at least at the moment to gve up his idyllic kingdom in the South Seas.