The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-03
ARRIVAL OF THE CHARLESTON.
The Ladrone Islands Possess Peculiar
Strategic Importance.

San Francisco, Aug. 2.-The steamer
Doric. from Hong Kong to-day, brings
the following letters from the correspond
ent of the associated press at Manila I'M
der date of July L.
Another link was added to the chain of
territory which connects the United
States with their newly-acquired foreign
possessions i'm the Rcifc ocean ON June
u, for upon that date Captain Glass of the
l.. $. $. Charleston captured the Ladrone
islands. took the governor general, his
staff and the entire military force pris-
oners and raised the stars and stripes
over the ruins of the Spanish fort of San
Ia Cruz i'm the harbor of San Luis D'Apra
II was a bloodless victory. for the Span
ish, not having heard of the war between
their country and the United States. were
taken completely by surprise and sur
rendered the islands, their arms and
thmselves without Offering the slightest
resistance.
From a strategic point of view. how
ever. It was "A very important one. for
the harbor of San Luis D'Apra, ON the
west coast Of the main island, Guam, is
an ideal coaling station, and while the
whole group will undoubtedly prove to
be Of incalculable value to the United
States, II commends itself as the most
valuable of all the newly acquired pos
sessions ON account of its situation. 1t
lies $500 miles west and south of Homo
lul. 1850 miles southeast of Yokohama
and 1880 miles east Of LuZon, the Philip
pine islands group, thus being the con-
Meeting link between the United states
and the Orient. 1t inhabitants. who num-
Der about 10000. are "A hospitable, peace
ful. law-abiding people. only too anxious
to throw off the Spanish yoke. yet per-
fectly willing To shoulder another less
CALLING one.
OF the islands themselves volumes
might be written and the half not told.
..-An - -
origin, but prolific, comparatively health
full and only await capital to develop
their innumerable resources.
For three days the Charleston's run
from Guam to Manila was without Incl
dent, hut on June 2S. shortly after Point
Engana. the northoasterly cape of LuZon
island, had been sighted. a strange steam
er appeared on the horizon. The Charles
ton was Immediately cleared for action
and after the ConNo had fallen into line
i'm her wake preparations were made for
giving the stranger a warm reception
should she prove to be hostile. She turned
out to lac the L. 5. :. Baltimore. however,
which had been waiting for the fleet l0
/ DAYS. The ships were hove to while Cap
tain Dyer reported to Captain Glass, but
Immediately upon his return to the Balti-
more the whole fleet again got under way
at increased speed. As 1t rounded the
north end of the island the first rough
weather OF the entire trip, i'm the shape OF
a southeasterly monsoon. was encounter
ed.
At u m. on June 30 the Baltimore led
the way into Manila harbor and three
hours later the fleet anchored under the
wing Of abe flagship Olympia, within a
few miles of the wrecks of the Spanish
fleet which had been annihilated by Rear
Admiral Dewey just two months earlier.
\ large fleet Of foreign men-of-war lay
at anchor just above Manila, most of
which were Germans. and an addition was
made to the fleet by the arrival of the
kaiseriu Augusta, which followed the
transports into the harbor from a small
cove just outside,
T.. LANGLEY JONES.