The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-03
CHARLESTON,s YOYAGE.
Story of Her Trip Across the Pacific
Ocean.

San Francisco, Aug. 3.-The steamer
Doric from Hong Kong brought the fol-
lowing letter from the correspondent
of the Associated Press at Manila under
date of July 1.
Another link was added to the chain
OF territory which connects the United
States with the newly acquired pos
sessions in the Pacific, on June 81,
for upon that date Captain Glass of the
Charleston captured the Ladrone is
lands, 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
Santa Cruz in the harbor of San Luis
D'Apra. 1t was bloodless victory, for
the Spanish, not having heard of the
war between their country and the
United States, were taken completely
by surprise and surrendered the islands,
their arms and themselves without Of
fering the slightest resistance.
From 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 it cOmmendS itself as the most
valuable OF all the newly acquired pos
sessions on account of its situation. 1t
lies $500 miles west by south Of Homo
lulu, /, $50 miles southeast of Yokohama
and /, 500 miles east of LuZOn, the prin-
CipaI island of the Philippine group,
thus being the connecting link between
the United States and the Orient.
Its inhabitants, who number 10000,
are a hOspitable, peaceful, laW-abiding
people, only too anxious to throw off
the Spanish yoke, yet perfectly willing
to shoulder another less calling one.
o fthe islands themselves volumes might
be written and the half not be told.
Suffice it to say that they are of vol
canic origin. but prolific, comparatively
healthy and only await capital to de-
VelOp their innumerabIe resources.
For three days the CharlestOn's run
from Guam to Manila was without in
cident but on June Is, shortly after
Point Engana, the nOrtheaSterly cape
of LuzOn island, had been sighted, a
strange steamer appeared on the
horizon. The Charleston was immed-
lately cleared for action and after the
convoy had fallen into line in her wake,
presentations were made for giving the
stranger a warm reception should she
prove to be hostile. She turned out to
be the U. S. S. Baltimore, however,
which had been waiting the fleet for
ten days. The ships were hove to Whlle
Captain Dyer reported to Captain CLASS
but Immediately upon his return to the
Baltimore the whole fleet again got IN
der way at increased speed. AS it round
ed the north end of the island the first
rough weather of the entire trip in the
shape of a southeaSterly monsoon was
encountered. At p M, on June 9u'
the baltimore led the way into Manila
harbor and three hours later the fleet
anchored under the wing of the flag
ship Olympia within a few miles OF the
wrecks of the Spanish ships which had
been annihiIated by Rear Admiral
Dewey Just two months earlier.
"a large fleet of foreign men-of-War
lay at anchor just above Manila, most
of whom were Germans and an addition
was made to the fleet by the arrival of
the Kaiserin Augusta, which followed
the transports into the harbor from
small cove just outside. (Signedl.
''E. L. ANGELY JONES'"