In 1878 the United Kingdom and France declared all of the New Hebrides to be neutral territory. The Convention of 16 October 1887 established a joint naval commission for the sole purpose of protecting French and British citizens, but claimed no jurisdiction over internal native affairs.

The lack of a functional government led to rising discontent among the colonists. The French were especially inconvenienced because French law recognized marriages only when contracted under a civil authority (the nearest being in New Caledonia), whereas British law recognized marriages conducted by local clergy. On August 9, 1889, Franceville declared itself an independent commune under the leadership of mayor/president Ferdinand Chevillard and with its own red, white and blue flag with five stars.

This community became the first self-governing nation to practice universal suffrage without distinction of sex or race. Although the district's population at the time consisted of about 500 natives and fewer than 50 whites, only the latter were permitted to hold office. One of its elected presidents was a R.D. Polk, a native of Tennessee and relative of James K. Polk.

The new government was soon suppressed, and in 1906, the naval commission was replaced by a more structured British-French Condominium.

See also

• History of Vanuatu
• Port Vila
• Timeline of women's suffrage

References