New-York tribune., 1899-11-21
TRYING TO REFORM GUAM.
GOVERNOR LEARYs REPORTS HIGHLY
INTERESTING READING.
AN EXPERIMENT IN COLONIAL RULE THAT
PROMISES SUCCESS IN SPITE OF
MANY OBSTACLES.
MANY OBSTACLES.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuSE.l

by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUNE.I
Washington Nov. Ex-Governor Leary OF Guam
or The Isle Of Guam, II is called on the official
Gubernatorial seal, is having novel experiences for
an American IN 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 come is
promptly filed away in the secret archives or the
Navy Department If It were the adopted policy
the curiosity that exists regarding af-
fairs there Governor Leary was always pictu-
rescue character in the service and his mission to
the lonely and scarcely known island was regarded
by those who knew him as singularly appropriate
1t expected that An interesting experiment In
civilization would begin when he assumed absolute
control Of the new possession. and It has turned
out, although the Navy Department for some rea-
has refrained from permitting the details or his
reports get into circulation That these reports
highly interesting and in some instances wholly
unconventional is evident from portions Of one
which has just come to Washington. In this Gov
ernor Leary ncloses two OF his recent orders TO
the citizens OF the Isle of Guam which are unlike
any other orders ever issued by naval officer.
The report which is dated October H. gives n
terse resume Of affairs in the Captains dominion
since the last mail. 1t shows that the islanders
inordlnately 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
exercise their earning power. With a minimum OF
exerton. they satisfied II they do not starve.
The whole island is full of examples OF neglected
opportunities which distasteful to Amer
iosns, - Dol!
The Governor has set out to bring the people
OF CLAN TO a realization OF the natural wealth
Of the island and to make all under his Jurisdiction
productive possible. He tells the Navy De-
rartnient that he does not want any marines
sent to him, as he cannot provide food for them
and does not need them for his defence, he has
nothing to fear from the natives. He begs. how
ever for more officers to assist him in carrying out
his plans for improving the condition OF the popu-
laton. He says he wants ice machine none OF
the water on the island being Of potable tempera-
ture He has established the seat Of government
at Agana, six miles from Port Louis d'Apra, and
over this distance his men have had to haul ali
the materials for the buildings they erecting, as
well as all supplies
But the most interesting part Of the report re-
lates TO the reforms begun. OF which the Gov
ernor says: Having disposed OF the priests rapid
progress Will be made and further resistance will
| be encountered
He explains the two orders. which were printed
| in English in the customary official form on the
] first English printing press in the islands and dis
\ trbuted broadcast The first Of these is calcu
lated to compel each adult native to contribute
! the support OF the Government by engaging II
food production. This order dated October
| and directs all who have no trade to plant cereals
vegetables, etc, under more or less severe penal
ties II is stipulated that each citizen shall have
| at least twelve hens and SOW. and continue II
possession OF them indefinitely. They must brint
| eggs chickens and vegetables TO sell to the Gov
ernor's house and to the barracks at stated inter
walls, and they must pay their taxes and discharge
other Indebtedness.
The other order. issued September 10. was mor'
radical 1t demands that concubinage. which wa
general all over the island shall stop Immediately
In this order Governor LeaIy moralzes as follows
| to the natives:
The existing custom OF raising families OF ilegiti
| mate children is repulsve TO Ideas OF decency, an
! tagonistic to moral advancement, incompatib
with the generally recognized customs OF civilized
| society a violation of the accepted principles o
Christianity and a most degrading injustice TO tn
| innocent offspring, who Is not responsible for tn
| conditions of his unfortunate existence
The Governor, in conclusion. commanded imme
! dIate wedlock for the whole adult population. an
| made the license and civil ceremony free unit
| November g. As a result, the officers In charg
| of licenses and marriages were worked half L
death until nearly everybody on the Island wa
legally married There was rush TO obey the or
der and in fact the people have shown a dis
position TO be obedent to any suggestion from thei
Governor.