W. N. G by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 22, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 38.

W. N. G

By W. N. G.

The Ladrone Islands, which have been made prominent through their seizure by the United States, are a group of fifteen islands in the Pacific Ocean, north of the Caroline group. A missionary writing from that field says the name signifies “the island of thieves,” the official name being Mariana Islands. The name is in honor of Maria Anna, wife of Philip IV., of Spain. The group has been a Spanish possession since 1668. At that time the population was estimated at 40,000 to 60,000; now, however, the estimate ranges from 8,000 to 12,000. It is said that the inhabitants are nearly all on four principal islands, the largest being Guahan, on which the American flag was raised by the Manila expedition. This island is the most southerly of the group. There is a mixed population, most of whom are poor and lacking in energy. Very little has been done for their intellectual improvement, and nothing that has elevated them in a spiritual way. The few schools that were once in operation have fallen into decay.