The Spaniards claimed the Caroline Islands as their colony, but did not actually control them.
Marianas Incident with Spain vs USA 1887To strengthen its position in the Pacific Ocean; the United States needs to control at least one of the tropical islands such as the Spanish Mariana Islands, or the Samoan archipelago. In 1885, as the United States Navy occupied Colon, then part of Colombia, the Chilean government ordered its navy to occupy Panama City and to force the American squadron to evacuate Colon. Victorian Admirals Governments of both nations have sent warships to the largest and busiest Apia harbor in Samoa.The United States supports the rebels.