The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-01-16

caHy Very Important.
Concerning Guam, our new posses.
sion in the Ladrone Islands, CORE
spondent of the New York Sun who
went thither in the U. S. S. Yosemite
writes as follows:
The first sight of Guam was rather
disappointing. There were several
rain squalls on the horizon, and in
reply to the questioner, the lookout
picked out the blacklist looking squat,
and said: That's Guam, sir" As
the squall disappeared, the island de-
veloped into bold mountainous range,
not altogether tropical in aspect. In
stead of the thick forests and heavy
foliage of the Philippine mountains,
the hills in Guam are rather barren
looking, the trees are clustered
together, while the red clay soil shows
through in patches here and there.
AS the ship approached nearer, the
lowlands came into view, and the thick
groves of cocoanut trees, mangoes, and
bananas proved that the reports of the
fertility of the island are not without
foundation.
The harbor of San Luis de ARA is
by far the best of any in the whole
Ladrone group. being sheltered in all
weather except southwest gales. On
entering, the ship pressed close to
Orote Peninsula, high promontory
forming the southern boundary of the
harbor, and then swinging to the
northward, she anchored under the
lee of Cabras Island, which forms the
northern shelter. Extending in a cir
cular direction from the end of Cabras
Island is a coral reef bare at low water.
and coming within a ships length of
Orote Point, giving the harbor the
shape of a horseshoe. Occasionally,
during the wet season, a swell rolls in
over the barrier reef, but for the
greater part Of the year the harbor is
quiet and smooth. One serious draw
back to tho harbor lies in the diff
Guilty of landing cargo, owing to the
coral growth which extends out for
more than a mile from the shore. A
pier could readily be built, but the
easiest and cheapest solution of the
problem is to send out from the United
States several small wooden stern
wheel steamers, drawing only few
inches OF water, and thus capable OF
passing over the inner reef at all stages
of the tide.
Around the shores Of the harbor are
several towns, Sournay, San Luis de
Apra and Pitt. The last named is the
port of entry for the island, and con-
sists of two stone buildings and about
n dozen native huts. The first sight
of the town was not interesting, for
the place is on low land, and just now
in the rainy season, is mostly under
water.
A few minutes suficed to take in
the sights, consisting of natives, water
bufaloes and dogs, and then through
the kind Offices of the principal in
habitant, a Mr.. Wilson, the party OBJ
tanned O carriage aud drove up to
Agana, the capital Of the Island. The
road is about four miles long, and has
been an excellent one, but at present
it is sadly in need of repair. 1t winds
In and out among cocoanut groves,
under overhanging cliffs, crosses sew
eral little mountain streams, and lust
before reaching the city gives a splen-
did view of Agana Bay, the whole
northern half of the island, and the
mighty Pacific Ocean. Before judg.
ing Agana one must consider the point
OF view. Looking at it with the kncwl-
edge that Spain has been here several
centuries, one wonders that there Is
80 little. Realizing that the large
majority of the natives are only semi
civilized, the place presents a very
creditable appearance. The streets
are regularly laid out, and are clean,
the houses are whitewashed and neat
in appearance, and there are no street
loafers or beggars hanging around.
The better class, that is the foreign
ers and half castles, live in stone
houses, with the inevitable red tiled
roof. The natives live in frame houses
with thatched roofs.
The point Of interest in the town is
the plaza, on which are situated the
palace, tho barracks and the cathe-
dral. These are quite respectable
looking buildings from the outside,
but on close inspection the palace and
barracks were found to be in a filthy
condition, with no attempt at santa
ton, and with the dirt Of years left
undisturbed. Before the Americans
can occupy these buildings there will
have to be a thorough house cleaning
from top 20 bottom, and q plentiful
distribution of disinfecting material.
The cathedral is solidly built, with no
pretense at ornamentation. Within,
two thirgs struck the visitor as
strange, an organ, and sign request
ing the congregation not to bring their
dogs into church.
The town boasts OF two distilleries.
where Ia tuba is made. This is made
by fermenting aud distiIling the sap
Of the cocoanut tree, and it is said
that it can give points to Jersey light
ming. The natives take to it kindly.
however All the stone buildings
have thick walls and heavy ironwood
raiters supporting the roof They are
built in this manner TO withstand the
earthquake shocks, which are Of fire.
queut occurrence. though rarely Sc
we're. Typhoons occasionally visit the
island, but do little harm beyond
blowing down a few trees and knock
ing down some Of the native huts.
Outside OF Agana the native huts are
built Of pslmleaf mating, with BAN
boo beams and rafters. In a heavy
gale these huts 90 down like q bouse