The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-09
cURIosITIEs oF GUAM.
Report OF Gen. wheeler on what He
saxx On the Island.
From the New York Evening Post.

department on the island OF Guam. which
& valuable contribution 20 the literature
| on the subject % our governing tropical
/ dependencies. The general was ordered 10
stop there on his way back from the Phil
ippines and see how Gov. Leary was get
ting along. and he spent about a week
I on the island. tic found many interesting
I things. Like ireland. Guam has no snakes,
I and the one dstillefy there has been
closed by order Of Gov. Lsary. IL rains
every day IN Guam. there is no distinc-
tion between the wet and dry seasons, be-
cause IL Is wet all the time.
The island IS shaped life the sole Of
shoe. and has presumably total area OF
/ about 10 square miles. although IL has
[ never been surveyed. The narrowest part
( has a diameter Of seven miles. and II r.
about fifteen miles In length. There are
a few lepers in the island. hut nobody
pays any particular attention 10 them.
and they appear 90 DO no harm. The water
there Is not good to drink hut Il Is not
missed. Tor when Gen. Wheeler or any
| body else Is thirsty native climbs
| tree and throws down a cocoanut. the
milk OF which IL refreshing beverage.
Great honor was paid 10 Gen. Wheeler by
I the native inhabitants. aud during his
| entry 81 one OF the villages the 6-year-Oid
son OF tho ruler walked by his side, play
ing tho accordion They also rang the
| church bell by way Of accompaniment.
| There are no courts and consequently no
lawyers. The salary paid 10 school
teacher there In a dollar aud half
month Then there are a number OF things
Guam did not have until Il got Leary.
/ such as marriage ceremonies. rcal-estate
titles. taxes. liquor licenses. dog taxes,
and Sunday holidays.
| But the greatest curiosisles OF all are
Gov. Iseary's prociamatlons. He has been
| having a great time reforming the natives
| md teaching them American ways He
reforms wholesale by proclamation. -Four
| teen general orders had been issued up
10 the time Of Gen. Wheeler's visit. and
| they are all specimens OF vigorous Eng
ilsh and infused with genuine civic
/ federation spirit But Gov. Leary does
ros level all his EXAMINATIONS at the poor
| natives. Here ls a proclamation issued
| for the benefit OF hia own men:
Attention Is hereby called TO the fact
thut the natives Of Guam are not DID
slagoeg" nor ''nlgEers" but are law-ahid-
ine. respectful human beings who have
been taken under the protection OF The
/ United States government, and VINO are
| az much entitled TO courtesy. respect. ana
| protection Of life and liberty in their
homes and in their occupations as are
the best citizens Of New York. Washing
ton. OF any other home city. The sew
/ eral disgraceful cases 81 assault com
4
ton. interfering with the functions OF
FOCAL officials. ruthiessiy destroying pri-
vate property. violously violating the
sanctity OF native homes. etc, were
worthy only OF the dastarily cowaris and
blaakguurtfs who were implicated IN those
acts. and Il Is deeply regretted that the
governments has thus far been unable TO
sufficiently establish the Identity OF the
cuipriis. ana their abcttors. In order that
they might be brought 10 justice. For
the preservation Of the wcll-earned repu-
tatlon OF the American navy as champions
w succoring the needy, aiding the dis
tressed. and protecting the honor ana vir-
cue OF women. 81 r. earnestly hoped that
the honorable. self-respccting portion OF
this command viii unite their efforts In
using all lawful means within their power
toediScourage and suppress every known
tendency on the part OF others to commit
lawlcss acts that wouid cast dishOnor and
shame on the service. In which we have
shared the honors and trials and wars,
and 20 which we have dedicated our on
cial lives
This was signed Richard r. Leary. u.
y n. Governor"
In the interest OF education he issued
General order No. 70. Il Is a. follows:
Government House.
'Agana. Guam. Jan. 10. 1900
Every adult resident OF thie island must
I
fore the irst day Of July 1850. unless pre-
vented from doing SO by physical disabll-
icy. The signature must be plain and
leglhle. suitable for use when required In
legal documents or commercial transac-
tons. and must he without ornamental
ton. scroll. or other rubrical decorations
And citizen may procure from the govern
ment a suitable sample OF his or her writ
ton name for use copy 20 be initiated
| In practice and instruction
"Ali residents are recommended TO utilize
every available opportunity Go learn how
20 read. write. and speak the English Ian
guaEc, thereby improving their own men,
lal condition as well ~ preparing them
selves for assisting their children who
are required by law 90 attend school"
Gov. Beary published a tariff schedule
for Guam. IL g. noted among other things
that cigars and cigarettes are taxed q
per cent. al vaiorem; ready-made cloth
ing pays - per cent. The duty on alb
sinthe Is 8 n gallon. while fertilizers. fire.
hose. and engravings are on the free list
Wines and whisky pay s. n gallon. as DO
kummel and gin. Painting and statuary
are not required 20 pay duty. Thus are
Nome Industries fostered aud protected for
the Quantities. The export Of cattle, corn.
rice. sweet potatoes. hogs. and eggs n
| prohibited.
Gen. wheeler's book on Guam r. beau
/
photographs taken by correspondent
VINO happened 10 accompany him. One
Of them shows the soldierly figure Of the
little General in the midst Of a jungle
witch would DO honor 20 Darkest Africa.
Another g. labelled Dance Of the Caroline
Islanders" (the latter being one OF tho
tribes lnhahitiuc the islands IL o. view
! OF twenty dark-sklnnsd women with pleas
ant expressions on their faces ana heads
I about their necks. The climate IN Guam
IS go warm that much clothing Is a su-
peraulty. The report is not Tor general
, ! distribution. hut n intended 20 guide the
officials OF the war department IN deter
usalng whether 20 build a hreakwater n
the harbor and locate naval station
| there. II is about decided that extensive
improvements will be undertaken.
PERSONAL
|
J | ha.leIY h 10 CHE A nAa asrslrE NETS