The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
THE LADRONES.
The Assertion That They Are ValuelesS Not
Justified by Spanish Evidence.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: The Bos-
ton Transcript, whose chief Joy seems to be to
pull down the American flag. publishes with
gusto q third OF q column on a rumor from
Washington that President Mckinley. in asking
the cession OF Guam In the Ladrones, was only
bluflnG and intended to back down on this
point In order to tickle the pride Of the Tran
scripts Spanish pets. because the Ladrones are
absolutely valueless."
1t is difficult to see how they can be value
less" when apparently they have already
served as q stopping place to coal our monitors.
OF course the Ladrones are much less in value
than Hawaii or Porto Rico, but II we are to
have any interests in the Philippines it seems
to follow reasonably that q way station, such as
the Ladrones. would be worth having. In the
"Diccionario Encyclopaedia Hispano-Ameri-
cano." a large Spanish encyclopedia published
in Barcelona in 1893. there is u long article on
the Ladrones Islands. or the Marlanas. IA they
are officially called, OF which / make an
abridgment for the information OF THE SUNS
readers. so that they can Judge for themselves
as to the value Of the islands.
The most southern island, Guam, with from
5000 to 5000 inhabitants. contains 260 square
Kilometres Of area. and has the extensive
port OF San Luis de Apra, which, with few bet
ter ones. could be called magnificent for its
capacity and security" Rota is the next island.
with 200 square kilometres and q small popu-
lation. Then follow Aguiguan and Tinian. Of
small size and value. Then comes Saypan, Of
600 square kilometres. the second in impor-
lance in the group. with a broad roadstead sep
arated from q magnificent port" by only a
narrow channel INSTRUCTED by q rock. Then
come several other islands. among them Pagan.
which has q "capacious roadstead. and near
the roadstead n lagoon, which could easily be
converted into q port. IL necessary"
AS to the Importance of the Ladrones by
reason OF their geographical situation and
otherwise. We have the evidence Of the report
sent in 1898 by Don Augusta Marques. Fellow
OF the Geographical Society of Lisbon. to the
Spanish Minister OF Commerce. THE Mari
anas." says Marques. are situated in the
direct line OF the new communications between
Europe and Asia by America. a line which will
be inauRurated by the opening OF one or va
rious canals across Panama. The new road to
the Indies OF the sixteenth. seventeenth, and
eighteenth centuries. which the Spanish had
the honor OF discovering and utilizing alone.
Is going to he changed into the new
road to China and Japan OF the twentieth cen
fury. and steamers Of modern nations will use
the same lines as the old g~alleons from Acapul-
90 to Manila The ships OF, all nations n~avigat-
by the Maria1as, and X is important TO Spain
to study, whether it will be convenient to the
new navigation to find in those islands a point
q supply; The reply must not be doubtful.
Marianas the new current OF navigation
with the traffic which will accompany
It by offering to the navigators OF All
nations advantages for anchorage and repairs.
" y That which Spain may refuse to do In
her own interest some nation or other will dc
by force: al. Germ9ny attempted with the Caro-
lines. II Spain wishes. before ten
years the Marianas will be q populoHs and pros
porous country. whose products will give new
revenues, to the treasury. and Guam will be
converted into q central and important point.
In n word. Guam can fulfill in the western
Pacific, and to the benefit Of Spain almost
sent in the eastern Pacific"
This is a Spanish view Of the value Of these
"valueless Islands. with one fine harbor and
the possibility OF two others. II. the American
flag is pulled down at Guam, the future America
will regret 1t. One may even say that the
whole group should he demanded. on the
ground that the best development Of n small
gIroup like this would he hindered by division
made. may the President remember the Caro-,
lines, where American missionaries have been
prosecuted, s..
Boston. Aug. 4. -.