Republic of Morac-Songhrati-Meads
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Morac-Songhrati-Meads was originally a micronation
in the Spratly Islands
established by British naval captain James George Meads in the 1870s.
The republic's history begins with Capt. Meads, who laid claim to the Islands in the 1870s (despite earlier claims by other nations). Meads was exploring the South China Sea
and laid claim to the Spratly Islands. Descendants of Meads have continued to claim legitimacy over the islands, and continue to attempt to claim ownership of the island's resources.
of the Republic of China
, and the Philippines
, to recognize the Kingdom and its claims. Later that year, the remainder of the Kingdom's governing body drowned in a shipwreck, except for Meads.
The Kingdom reappeared in 1985. That year, Morton Meads sued the United States and others for $25 billion, claiming "unfair competition, harassment, [and] sabotage." The case was not heard.
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
in the Spratly Islands
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
established by British naval captain James George Meads in the 1870s.
The republic's history begins with Capt. Meads, who laid claim to the Islands in the 1870s (despite earlier claims by other nations). Meads was exploring the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
and laid claim to the Spratly Islands. Descendants of Meads have continued to claim legitimacy over the islands, and continue to attempt to claim ownership of the island's resources.
Kingdom of Humanity
In 1914, a rival faction, the "Kingdom of Humanity", formed under the leadership of Franklin M. Meads, son of James George. The two rival factions occupied the islands until World War II, when they were forced out by Japanese troops. Franklin died in 1945, and his son Josiah took over leadership. Josiah died soon after; his son, Morton F. Meads, was to take over, but was deemed too young. The Kingdom of Humanity merged back into the republic in 1963.Legal attempts at legitimacy
The Kingdom faded into obscurity over the next decade, until 1972, when Morton Meads, now ruling, unsuccessfully petitioned the United Nations, Chiang Kai-ShekChiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, to recognize the Kingdom and its claims. Later that year, the remainder of the Kingdom's governing body drowned in a shipwreck, except for Meads.
The Kingdom reappeared in 1985. That year, Morton Meads sued the United States and others for $25 billion, claiming "unfair competition, harassment, [and] sabotage." The case was not heard.
Further reading
- Samuel Pyeatt Menefee, "Republics of the Reefs":|Nation-Building on the Continental Shelf and in the World's Oceans, California Western International Law Journal, vol. 25, no. 1, Fall, 1994, pp. 83-85.