The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04
The Recall of Lcnry.

The reason for the recall of Governor
Leary of Guam appears to be that he has
shown a strong inclination to issue general
orders not always endorsed by the Govern
ment- The Navy Department does not, of
course. admit this officially.
During the last six months of his rule
Captain Leary issued fourteen general or
ders. Among them were two prohibiting
the sale or importation of intoxicating
liquors. This order was. practically re-
peated some months later, with the added
warning
drunkenness, the chief source of crime and
trouble in this island. must and shall cease
1t was also decreed that no property
should be sold in Guam without the con-
sent of the Government. This order was
intended to safeguard the interests of the
Government and also to protect the ma
tives and residents against SPECTATORS and
adventures. BY another decree public
celebrations of feast days and saints days
were forbidden, and it was stated that the
holidays thenceforward would be only those
usual in the United States. Governor
Leary began the new year by abolishing
the Spanish system of taxation and max
ing out a new schedule. A little later he
issued an order providing for compulsory
education of all children between the ages
of eight and fourteen years at the public
expense, with religious training elm
mated. Captain Leary is firm believer in
the American public school system and
has made strong recommendations to the
natives of Guam that they learn to read,
write and speak English.
Among the most interesting of these
orders is one rebuking the lawless conduct
of few of the men on the station in
their dealings with the natives The Gov
ernor made it perfectly obvious that he
did not intend that his men should con-
slider themselves privileged beings. allowed
to behave as they chose toward con-
quered people. He meant to have natives
treated with the same respect and coDsid-
Grafton that the citizens of New York
Washington. or any other American city
might demand; and he declared that I'M
der his rule private property and human
rights should be respected. This action
on his part is enc which may well De imi-
tated by his successor. Unfortunately.
it is not altogether a matter of course
that this will happen. When man finds
himself in the position of an autocrat
among more or less primitive people,
so far from the centres of civilization that
he cannot be, essily interfered with. it is
apt to bring out either the best or the
worst of his nature In Captain Leary's
case the former seems to have been the
result. Some of his men, however. seem
TO have presumed a little on their privil-
eyes as representatives of a civilized and
conquering nation, and acted in a way
which is semi barbarous.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon the
necessity of dealing justly. honorably. and
kindly with the people OF a newly ac-
quired colony. They cannot be expected
to endure quietly things which the native
American would resent Their homes
must be respected their property safe
from depredations, American soldiers and
sailors. as rule. are not guilty of offences
such as were condemned by the present
Governor of Guam. Most of them are
law-abiding in and out of their own coun-
try But there are a few who do not know
the difference bet,geen liberty and license.
and it will not do to let them remain ua-
enlightened on this POINT, if respect for
the American flag is to be secured from
people unfamiliar with it.