Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-21
THE ISLAND OF GUAM
Interesting information Contained in Capt
Leary's Recent Report
Plans for the Improvement of the
PeOpIe-Wants More
Officers.

Interesting disclosures in regard TO the
social conditions prevailing among the ma
tives of the Island of Guam, which has re-
Gently come into the possession of the
United States, are made in a report made
by Captain Leary. the naval governor Of
the island. dated October IL. The report
shows that the natives are inordinately
lazy and raise only enough crops to keep
BODY and soul together. They have no
idea of the value Of money and make no
attempt to add to their material posses
sions. being satisfied with a minimum ex-
ertion, just sufficient to keep them alive
and happy. Governor Leary says that the
whole island is full of examples of ne
elected opportunities condition most dis
tasteful to Americans
To Improve the People.
1t appears from his report that he has set
to bring the poor, benighted natives of that
distant island to better realization of the
natural wealth of their territory and to
make 1T productive and prosperous as
possible. He says that he does not want
any more marines sent to him as he does
not need them for defense, having nothing
to fear from the natives. and because of
the difficulty Of securing additional proyi-
sions. He would, however, like to have
more officers dispatched to the island to
assist in carrying out his plans for the inn
provement of the people and the country.
He asks particularly for an ice machine. as
the water obtained is not of potable tenn
perature.
The seat of government has been estab-
lished at Agana. which is about six miles
from Port Louis d'Apra, and all materials
for buildings and supplies for subsistence
have to be hauled that distance.
The main part Of Captain Leary's report
is devoted to a description of certain re-
forms instituted by him for the civiiiza-
ton of the islanders.
Two Recent Orders.
He forwards copies of two orders recent
~ issued by him and distributed broadcast
over the island. They are printed in En-
gIish and were struck off from the first
printing press ever seen in Guam.
The first of these is calculated to compel
each adult native to contribute to the sup
port of the government by engaging in food
production. This order was dated October
and directs all who have no trade to
plant cereals, vegetables, etc, under more
or less severe penalties. 1t is stipulat ed
that each citizen shall have at least twelve
hens and one SOW, and continue in possess
sion of them indefinitely. 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 indebtedness.
The other order, issued September j., was
more radical. 1t demands that concu-
binage, which was general all over the ISL
and, shall stop Immediately. In this order
Governor Leary moralizes as follows TO the
natives:
The existing custom of raising families
of illegitimate children is repulsive to Ideas
OF decency, antagOnistic to moral advance
ment, Incompatible with the generally rec
ognized customs of civilized society, a vio-
ladon of the accepted principles of Chris
tianlty and a most degrading injustice to
the innocent offspring, who is not RESPONSE
BILE for the conditions of his unfortunate
existence.
The governor in conclusion, commanded
immediate wedlock for the whole adult
population, and made the license and civil
ceremony free until November 3. AS a re-
suit, the officers in charge of licenses and
marriages were worked half to death, I'M
til nearly everybody on the island was
legally married. 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