The record-union., 1899-11-22
Introduces Many New Reforms Among the
Inhabitants Of the Island.
Insists Upon Morality and INDUS
try-Issues Orders Commanding
Immediate Wedlock for the
Whole Adult Population, and
CompelIing Natives to Contrib
ute to the Support of the Gov
ernment by Engaging in Food
Production.

Production.
NEW YORK, Nov. PA special to
the Tribune" from Washington says:
Governor Leary of Guam, or 1.-The
Isle of GUAM" as it is called on the
official gubernatorial seat, is having
novel experiences for an American in an
altogether unique community, but the
infrequency of communication with the
outside world permits little information
to reach Washington regarding this
innovation in colonial establishments
and the little that does is promptly hled
away in the secret archives OF the
Navy Department, as If it were the
adopted policy to starve out the curl
osity that exists regarding affairs there
Governor Leary was always pic
tureSque character in the service, ana
his mission in the lonely and scarcely
known island was regarded by those
who knew him as Singularly approprl-
ate. 1t was expected that an interest
ing experiment in civilization would be-
gin when he assumed absolute control
of the new possession and so it has
turned out although the Navy Depart
ment for some reason has refrained
from permitting the details of his re-
ports to get into circulation. That
these reports are highly interesting and
in some instances wholly unconven-
tional is evident from portions of one
which has just come to Washington.
In this Governor Leary incloses two of
his recent orders to the citizens of the
Isle of Guam which are unlike any
other orders ever issued by naval Off
Ger.
The report, which is dated October
11th, gives a terse resume of affairs in
the Captains dominion since the last
mail. 1t shows that the islanders are
inordinately lazy, having acquired the
habits of their ancestors of raising only
such crops as will keep their bodies and
souls together, and that they cannot be
easily induced to value money or exer-
else their earning power. With a min
imum of exertion they are satisfied if
they do not starve. The whole island is
full of examples of neglected opportu-
mites which are so distasteful to Amer
leans.
The Governor has set out to bring the
people of Guam to a realization of the
natural wealth of the island and to
make all under his Jurisdiction as pro-
ductive as possible. He tells the Navy
Department that he does not want any
more marines sent to him, as he cannot
provide food for them and does not
need them for his defense, as he has
nothing to fear from the natives. He
begs. however, for more officers to as
sist him in carrying out his plans for
improving the condition of the popula-
a he
chine, none of the water of the island
being of proper temperature. He has
established the seat of government at
Agana, six miles from Port Louis
'Apra4 and over this distance his men
have had to haul all the materials for
the buildings they are erecting, as we'll
as all supplies.
But the interesting part of the re-
port relates to the reforms begun, of
which the Governor says: Having
disposed of the priests rapid progress
will be made, and no further resistance
will be encountered
He explains the two orders which
We're printed in English in the Gus
tomary official form on the first English
printing press in the islands and dis
trihuted broadcast. The first of these
Is calculated to compel each adult ma
tive to contribute to the support of the
Government by engaging in food pro-
duction. This order was dated Octo-
Der 4th, and directs all who have no
. trade to plant cereals. vegetables, etc,
under more or less severe penalties 1t
is stipulated that each citizen shall
nave at least twelve hens and one SOW,
and continue in possession of them in
definitely. They must bring eggs,
chickens and vegetables to sell to the
Governors house and to the barracks
at stated intervals. and they must pay
their taxes and discharge other in
debtedness.
The other order, issued September
10Th, was more radical 1t demands
that concubinage, which was general
all over the island, shall stop immedi-
ately. In this order Governor Leary
moralizes as follows to the natives:
The existing custom of raising fam
lilies of illegitimate children is repul-
sive to ideas of decency, antagonistic to
moral advancement. incompatible with
the generally recognized customs of
civilized society, a violation of the prin-
ciples of Christianity and a most de-
grading injustice to the innocent Off
spring who is not responsible for the
conditions of his unfortunate exist
ence"
The Governor. in conclusion. com
manded immediate wedlock for the
wnole adult population, and made the
license and civil ceremony free until
November 4th. AS a result, the Off
GERS in charge of licenses and marri-
ages We're worked half to death under
the new law. There was a rush to
obey the order, and, in fact the people
have shown disposition to be obedient
to any suggestion from their Governor