The times., 1898-07-11
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC
Spanish Possessions Which Will
Become American Colonies.
HISTORY OF THE CAROLINE S
They Are Named in Honor OF
Charles Y, King of Spain-The La
drone Islands Were Diseo.ered
by MageiIaa-Ladrone Is Spanish
for Robber,

There are many Spanish possessions in
the Pacific Ocean that have not been
seized by America.
The Ladrones are now under the Ameri-
can flag. The Philippines have practically
been taken. One of the expeditions en
route to Manila will stop at the CaroIines
and plant the American flag there
There are 2OO0 islands in the Philippine
group. including the Sulu ArchipeIag..
all of which have been held by Spain ever
since the navigators of that country went
out on their voyages Of discovery and
conquest. There are in the Caroline and
Ladrone groups uncounted islets.
The Carolines themselves are divided
into numerous groups. the westernmost
being the Pelew Islands. or PalOus. con-
sisting of seven large and many small
islands. They are all of coral formation
Northeast of the Pelews is the group
of zap. designated as Tap on the map.
The principal island bears that name. e
is mountainous and is said to be very
rich in precious metals. The easternmost
| island. called Ualan. or Kusaiev. has an
abundant supply of water fruit and fish
Ponapi. another island in the east. is i'm
portant and is used as place of call by
whalers.
The CarOlines were discovered in 1913 by
Lopez de ViIlalobos. and were named in
honor of Charles V Some authorities
state that they were touched at by an
other Spanish navigator a. early as I5es.
| They are sometimes called the New
| Philippines. owing 10 the fact that they
have been included with the Philippines
for the purposes of administra ton. The
islands extend over 200 miles The
islands are estimated 10 have an area Of
/ $50 square miles They are populated by
MaIays and until recently had no Euro
] pean inhabitants. The natives are said
! TO number about 5000 and belong to the
/ same family as the people of Tahiti and
| New Zealand. They are remarkable for
| their physique. Their hair Is straight.
/ black ard long. A few have embraced
| Christianity as result of the labor OF
| missionaries. but the majority profess
/ the Maori religion. The natives have few
| industries. The men make long sea vOy-
| ages in small boats and the women weave
| and plait rush mats
! The climate of the CaroIines is quit.
| agreeable, although rather warm. as the
| Islands lie only a few degrees north of
the equator. Rains are frequent in sum
mer. The vegetation includes palms. CO.
| coanuts and bread frui-.
| Spain. for long time. made no active
| effort to push her claims to the groOp.
| In Eo2. however, Colonel COello drew the
| government attention To The fact that
| there would be an advantage in occupy
| ing the CarOlines for the purpose of pro-
| tecting and developing commerce between
the Philippines New Guinea. Australia
and South America
The appeal. however. was not listened
10 at the time. and in March. 1879. Ger
many and England protested against the
pretensions OF Spain in Ievying duties
on ships which stopped in the Caroiines.
| notably at Palaos to which place the
governor of the Philippines and SEM
an agent. In 1SS5. Spain decided 10 send
| a governor and some soldiers 10 Yap.
| The Spaniards were anticipated by a
| German gunboat whose commander took
possession of the island in the name OF
the German Emperor.
On account OF the representa- tionS Of
| Spain. Emperor William decided 10 sub
NIT the matter 10 the arbitration OF the
Pope, who pronounced in favor of the
priority Of the Spanish claim.
The government at Madrid however. did
|
Islands which lie east Of the Carohnes
Spain promised TO permit Germany to es-
tablish coaling station in the center Of
the Carolines, though. having the Mar
shall group, she declined the privilege
Some German traders have lately estab-
liShed themselves in the western part Of
the Carolines for the purpose of importing
iron goods spirits and tobacco, which are
traded 10 the natives. English and Amer
lean missionaries have taken up their res.
idence in the eastern group.
The Marianne, or LadrOne Islands are
directly north of the Carolines. Magellan
discovered the islands shortly before his
death in 1921 and named them the La
drones, or "RObber Islands, in view of
the thievish disposition of the natives.
Near the end of the seventeenth century
missionaries sent out by Queen Mariana,
the widow of Philip ", established them
selves there and renamed the group.
Prior to the Spanish conquest in 1868 the
natives were estimated to number from
40.oo0 to $1,000. BY 1916 the population had
been almost exterminated. 1t is now
thought to be about 10,O0o. The people all
speak Spanish.
The islands are of volcanic origin and
there are active volcanoes in the group.
The seat of government in the Ladrones
portant pearl fishery off the coast of the
island of Seypan.
In consequence of the laziness of the na-
tives, agriculture is neglected. The bread
fruit, banana and cocoanut thrive. while
sugar, rice, corn, tobacco cotton and in
digo may be successfully grown Horses
, | cattle and ilamas We're early introduced
! | by the Spaniards. The islands are vel
, | watered and wooded.