Editing History of Palau (section)

==Spanish rule==
[[File:HH1883 pg141 Aba Thule, König von Palao.jpg|thumb|Aba Thule, King of Palau, 1883]]
[[File:Islas Marianas Palaos y Carolinas.JPG|thumb|Map of 1888 showing the [[Spanish East Indies]], including Palau Islands (map without Philippines)]]
In the late 19th century, possession of the islands was claimed by Britain, Spain, and [[Imperial Germany]]. In 1885, the matter was brought to [[Pope Leo XIII]] for a decision. The Pope recognized the Spanish claim, but granted economic concessions to Britain and Germany. Palau then became part of the [[Spanish East Indies]], along with the [[Mariana Islands]], the [[Marshall Islands]], and the rest of the [[Caroline Islands]]. They were all administered from the [[Philippines]].

In 1885 the Spanish gained administrative control of the islands. By this time the focus of [[Trepanging|trepang production]] had shifted to the Philippines and Indonesia, and Palau no longer played an important role. Like the British, the Spanish did little to develop the islands, but they did establish Catholic missions in Koror and Melekeok.<ref name=":0" />

After being defeated in 1898 in the [[Spanish–American War]] and losing possession of the Philippine Islands, Spain sold the Palau archipelago to Imperial Germany in the [[German–Spanish Treaty (1899)|1899 German–Spanish Treaty]].<ref name="sandafayre">{{cite web| url = http://www.sandafayre.com/atlas/carois.htm| title = Sandafayre.com on Palauan history}}</ref><ref name="state_1">{{cite web| url = https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1840.htm| title = United States Department of State article on Palau}}</ref>