The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
NATIVES Of GUAM
A Pleasing Contrast to Their
NeiuhborS the FiIjninoS


The natives of Guam are in pleasing
contrast to the Filipinos, says Har-
per's Weekly 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 con-
siderable proportion of Spanish, South
AmericanSand American stock, the last
being cue to the whaling vessels that
used to frequent the island in large
numbers to obtain fresh water 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, it is quite as common as Spanish
In personal appearance the natives re-
semble the Filipinos, though of greater
stature and more robust, while the hair
is not so bristling and porcupinelike,
and brown or even blond hair is oc-
Casion&l 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-round-
ed figures and an excellent carriage,
which redeems to a great extent their
shortness of stature and consequent
tendency to dumpiness. In my long
walks about Agana I have noticed
that were decidedly pretty AS they
age they 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 cos
tune consists of a short chemise, or
jacket, with low neck and short
sleeves. This is made of white mate
rial varying degrees of fineness. For
more ceremonial occasions, it is -em-
broidered around the neck and upon
the sleeves, and is sometimes bordered
with lace. 1t fits closely to the stay
less figure. Upon occasions of the
greatest Importance, an elaborate jack
ct of the beautiful and expensive juna
cloth, with flowing sleeves and wide
collar. is worn over the chemise. With
this is worn a skirt Of vari-colored cal
leo or cotton stuff, generally of some
bright hue. The feet are usually bare,
small heelless slippers of colored leath-
er being occasionally seen. The hair
is drawn back from the forehead into
a knot, and hats are never worn. In
church. a white cloth is worn as a veil
over the head.
The men dress simply and comfort
ably. generally in suits of white drill
ing such as are common all through the
east. The Filipino custom of wearing
g. white skirt with long and flowing tails
is in favor among the poorer natives.
AS to the mental and moral charac-
teristics of our new citizens, all that we
know so far is of a favorable nature.
They are clearly, intelligent and peace
able. The great majority Of them can
read and write, and every village has
its school for instruction in the element
airy branches. They are modest and very
courteous in their department, and in
variably touch their hats to us when
we pass them, and are most generous
to visitors The host who should receive
visitors without offering them some re-
freshment during the call is considered
very insulting to his guests, while it is
equally rude for the guest to refuse the
| prOffered refreshment. They seem to be
very light-hearted, and are fond of
music and dancing, while their greatest
amusement is cock flghting-the tax
upon which was one of the principal
sources of revenue to the former gov
eminent of the island. They are not at
all fervent in their religion, and about
all of the church going and devotion is
/ confined to the women. Perhaps, how
ever, they are excusable in this, for the
! Spanish priests who have been here
have not set a good example, being a
cruel and oppressive lot The native
priests are of a far higher and better
/ character, and are much more respect
| ed.
The worst trait, however of the citi-
zen of Guam is Incidence. Nature is
so pTovident, and so warm and smil-
| ing here, that little effort is required
| to support life and provide sustenance
for the family. To pay a native by
the day or in advance is a fatal error,
| indeed, for he will work until he has
accumulated few dollars, then buy
his wife a new skirt, lay in supply
of canned goods at the store, some to-
bacco and tuba (cocoanut rum), and
then retire to life of aff1uent ease for
as many months as the money and sup
plies hold out.
Intoxication is very rare. Men
and women alike smoke cigars and
pipes, and nearly every one has the
unsightly habit of chewing the betel
nut. The native cigar is an object of
wonder to the newcomer. 1t is made
from the whole leaf of the native to-
| baeco, which is of most excellent fla
vor, but very strong and green, rolled
into cylinder about eight inches long,
and wound about with threads of fiber
| to keep it from unwrapping.
| With the example of American en-
| ergy and industry; with advanced edu-
cation. and with the influences of pro-
gress; with a strong and just govern
Inent and purified religious example
and Observation-Disclosures opens before the
inhabitants of Guam a most promising
future; and before us, whose duty it
is to plant here a model colony, there
lies most interesting experience and
labor of the ultimate success of which
there can be no DOssible doIIht