Various conflicts were fought between natives and settlers. The Jesuits had frequent disputes with other colonists who wanted to enslave the natives. In remote areas there are settlements of Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians. English settlers soon came into conflict with the natives. Relations varied between the settlers and the Natives. There were many conflicts between Europeans and Natives. The Europeans had many advantages over the natives. Bitterness grew between the natives and the Europeans. The Fernandinos proved to become effective traders and middlemen between the natives and Europeans. The sailors were able to survive by obtaining fresh water and meat from the natives. These numbers were augmented by mercenaries such as the Turcopoles recruited from among the natives. Epidemic disease was the overwhelming cause of the population decline of the American natives. Egyptian soldiers worked for pay, both natives and mercenaries. They Christianized some natives and Spanish remnants in Cebu. Many towns also feature statues or sculptures dedicated to famous natives.