Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23
THE NATIVES OF GUAM
They Are Described as Being Superior to the
filipinos.
Some characteristics of Dress, MAN.
ners and Customs-Enect of
American Energy.


The natives of Guam are in pleasing con-
trast to the Filipinos Though originally.
in great part. from the same stock they
have inherited all of the virtues and few of
| the vices of these people There Is in the
blood of these people a considerable pro-
portion of Spanish, South American and
American stock, the last being due to the
ling vessels that used to frequent the
island IN large numbers to obtain fresh wa
ter and to recuperate their crews. 1t is not
at all unusual to hear English spoken, even
in the interior of the island, and, in fact, 1t
Is quite as common as Spanish In personal
appearance the natives resemble the Fill
pinos, though of greater stature and more
robust, while the hair Is not SO bristling
and porcupinelike, and brown or even blond
hair is occasional evidence Of the mixture
of races. The intelligence, as Indicated by
their faces, Is much more marked than In
the natives of the Philippines. The women,
when young, have well-rounded figures and
an excellent carriage, which redeems to q
great extent their shortness of stature and
consequent tendency to dumpiness. In my
lcng walks about Agana 1 have noticed
many that We're very comedy, and some
that We're decidedly pretty. As they age
trey do not become unduly fat, or later on
repulsively haggard. as is the case with so
many tropical natives.
Their dress Is neat and clean and in their
personal habits they are modest and tidy
FOR the women the costume consists of
snort chemise. or jacket, with low neck
and short sleeves. This is made Of white
material of varying degrees of fneness
For mora ceremonial occasions it is en-
broidered around the neck and upon the
sleeves, and is sometimes bordered with
lace. 1t fits closely to the stayless figure
Upon occasions of the greatest importance
an elaborate jacket of the beautiful and
expensive juna cloth, with flowing sleeves
With this is worn a skirt Of vari-colorad
calico or cotton stuff, generally of some
bright hue. The feet are usually bare,
small heelless slippers of colored leather
oeins occasionally seen. The hair is drawn
PACK from the forehead into knot and
mats are never worn. In church a white
cio.h Is Worn as veil over the head.
The men dress simply and com ortahIv
generally In suits of white drilling such as
are common all through the east The Fill
Plno custom of wearing a white shirt with
the poorer natives
AS to the mental and moral characteris-
tlcs OF our new citizens. all that we know
SO lar Is or a favorable nature. They are
cleaniE. Intelligent and peaceable. The
great majority of them can read and write.
and every village has its school for instrl1c-
tion IN the elementary branches They are
MODEST and very courteous in their deport-
nlent ana invariably touch their hats to us
when We pass them, and are most gener-
Gus to visitors. The host who should re-
celVa visitors without offering them some
refreshment during the call Is considered
equally rude for the guest to refuse the
proffered refreshment. They seem to he
very iight-hearted: and are fond of music
and dancing. while their greatest amuse-
ment Is cock fighting-the tax upon which
was one OF the principal sources of reye-
Eue 10 the former government of the island.
IheE are not at all fervent in their re-
Eslon. and about all of the church-soine
ana devotion Is confined to the women.
Perhaps, however, they are excusable in
thls, 1or the Spanish priests who have
pen pen mere nave not set good example,
being a cruel and oppressive lot The ma
tlNe priests are of a far higher and better
character and are much more respected
Inc worst trait however. of the citizen
OF Guam is Incidence. Nature Is so provi-
nent and so warm and smiling here, that
ntue effort Is required to support life and
provide sustenance for the family. To nav
native by The day or in advance is a
he has accumulated a few dollars, then
| BUY his wife a new skirt, lay in a SUNNY
or canned goods at the store, some tobacco
ana tuDa tcocodnut RUM, and then retire
10 life OF aff1uent ease for as MANY
months as the money and supplies hold
out ~
Intoxication is very rare. Men and wo-
men alike smoke cigars and pipes. and
nearly every one has the unsiehtlv habit
OF chewing the betel nut The native cigar
is an object of wonder to the newcomer
IL IS made from the whole leaf of the ma
i've TOBACCO, which is of most excellent
haNor, but very strong and green, rolled
into cylinder about eight inches long. and
wound about with threads of fiber to keep
1t from unwrapping.
Win the example of American energy
and industry; with advanced education. and
with the Influences of progress: with a
strong and just government and purified re-
ilelous example and Observation-Disclosures opens
before the inhabitant of Guam a most
promising future; and before u.s. whose fiutv
IL IS to plant here a model colony, there
nes a most interesting experience and labor
OF the ultimate success of which there can
be no possible doubt