The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-17
CAPT. LEARY'S ISLAND.
THE ASTONISHED NATIVES OF
GUAM AND THEIR NEW CON-
OPTIONS.
A Rainy ana SickIy C1amate-NIa-
rines Hard at Work Getting
Things Into Shape-Much Work for
Doctors Among the Natives.

Things Into Shape-Much Work for
Doctors Among the Natives.
Guam Letter in New York Sun.
If one were to ask the American soldier
what was the principal effect Of the occu-
patton of Guam, ne would reply in two
words, High pricesr-for in the prices of
eggs and chickens Guam is more modern
than New York.
On Aug. % a little detachment of ma
rines, tired, hot and dirty from their long
march from the harbor landing to Agana,
sat on the floor in the barracks and ate
their marching ration. These were the
pioneers, and their work was to prepare
the barracks and unload stores as they
came up from the ship. AS soon as the
barracks could be cleaned and white
washed, additional detachments came up,
and within twenty days the whole marine
battalion, with provisions, stores and
equipments, were quartered ashore.
The difficulties attending the moving Of
stores at the outset were appalling From
ship to shore the distance is about three
miles, two of which is over a shallow cor
al reef. To overcome this a small lighter
had been put on board the Yosemite in
sections and was set up and launched the
first thing after the ships arrival at Pitt.
The steam launch would tow the lighter to
the edge Of the reef and the two miles to
the shore had to be accomplished by
hedging. Two small anchors with long
cables were alternately carried out ahead
of the lighter by whaleboat and the
lighter hauled up to each anchor by the
force aboard. Rain. sun and tide all had
to be battled with, and frequently the men
would have to jump overheard to tighten
and shove. The average of the trip was
about five hours.
Ashore, as in the Philippines, the Tong
horned carabao, or water buffalo, saved
the day. He is slow moving animal and
it requires the patience of Chnaman or
the 1aziness of a native to drive him, but
the brute's strength is enormous, and he
can be depended upon as long as he gets
his occasional bath in a mud puddle It
seemed rather inoongruous, however, to
see pair Of carabso Flooding along, drag
ging behind them the latest improved
Studebaker farm wagon. How one did
long for a team Of good, kicking Tonnes
see mules, with a black-faced cussing nig-
ger as a driver! An the native carts pos
slble to obtain were put in requistio1, but
as the maximum load of these bamboo af-
fairs Is less than 100 pounds, the amount
the long line strung out along the road.
Needless 10 say the advent of the SOL
diers and Of the stores has been of great
interest and excitement to the inhabitants
OF Guam Ordinarily they would cluster
around the carts resring with wondering
eyes at the tent fly which covered each
load and turn away disappointed at only
seeing wooden packing box. But when
the kitchen range was set up in position
al the barracks II was a red-letter day
for the little bays and girls in Agana, for
the like of it had never teen seen be-
fore If permitted, these children would
invade the quarters of officers and men,
for the furniture brought from America
has excited their curiosity TO The highest
pitch, but as 1t is they gather at The win
dows and gaze for hours at a time.
There Is much to be done before the
troops can settle down in their quarters
for. in addition to the cleaning the build
lngs must be repaired and painted.
grounds cleared Off, storehouses put up
and the water supply arranged, for at
present the latter has to be brought from
the ship in casks. Buster. perhaps, than
ever in its history Is the little town nova
days, for from daylight until dark there
is~the sound Of the hammer. working par
ties Of soldiers move to and fro, and,
above all the sonorous notes of the bugle,
telling the soldier his duties OF the hour
but telling the inhabitants that new
government has taken hold.
or those stationed In Agana none Is
harder worked than the medical officer
and his staff There have been a number
of sick among the soldiers, owing 10 the
change of climate, but as yet no fatalities
But In the town there are many Poor
people. they have been without the SER
vices OF a doctor for more than a year.
ana for charty's sake the doctor has
given them the benefit of his skill. Daily
a stream Of people pour into his office. and
almost all blood diseases are represented,
even the dreaded lepfosy. When his Of
flee hours are over the doctor mounts his
wheel and visits the sick who are unable
TO como 70 him. Typhoid cases are com
mon, and deaths often occur owing more
10 "A complete ignorance OF nursing than
to the malignancy Of the disease.
There Is a tradition that the climate OF
Guam II good one. II ono asks the ma
tive about IL he viii reply: But Senior
this Is the worstyear we have ever had
True, he has Ia his favor the fact that al
present u is tho rainy season. Bui ~ ono
deks him in August. When tbe rainy sea