The Carolines,

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 9060, 8 June 1898, Page 3

The Carolines,

Having virtually taken the Philippine Islands, the Americans are now reported by cable to contemplate also taking possession of the Carolines. This idea is doubtless prompted less by a desire to have and own the islands

than by perception of the advisableness, as a matter of war policy, of cutting them off from Spain. At Guam, one of the ( largest of the group, there is, according to the informant of a Sydney paper, a harbour where large quantities of coal are kept stored, having been brought there for Spanish use, principally from Newcastle. This, would, of course, be a valuableprizo for the warships of the United States. As to the islands generally, and the Ladrone or Marianne Islands, they cover an area of 950 square miles, and their total.population is about 40000. The Kanakas who occupy them are said to be bitterly hostile to Spain, and rebellions break out at short intervals. The Spanish way of subduing these is to bribe the insurgent leaders—which docs not aWj s answer, because the market demand for leaders thus created fosters an, increasing supply of prominent patriots anxious to be bought over A hint of the strength—or rather the , weakness-of the Spanish fleet that j tried to protect VI auila against De\* ey's (squadron is given iu the information that the gunboat on ilutj at the Oarolines often been put to flight by the Kanakas throwing atones on to her deck as she was passiug under the cliffs of the passage leading to Ponape Harbour.