New-York tribune., 1900-08-27
WHEELER's IS VIEWS ON GUAM
GENERALS REPORT ON CONDITIONS IN
THE ISLAND.
Enr TELEGRAPH 70 rHn rn1HuNr.1


the President. which required him to ''investi-
gate conditions existing there the administration
Of the United States officer in charge, the WORK
accomplished and In contemplation and the
public advantages the island affords by reason
Of location and physical features" The island
contains an area of about one hundred and fifty
square miles, and in four days the busting and
energetic General traversed It In every direc-
tion, noting Its physical features and advantages
with the eye Of a trained soldier. No detail
seems to have escaped him, and into pamphlet
ef fifty pages he has crammed a vast amount
of useful and interesting information about this
distant island possession of the United States
and its people
The latter number about nine thousand, and
most of them 1--we in the half-dozen towns scat
tered over the island. Agsna the capital Is the
largest, with q population Of 6,400. General
Wheeler found the towns very neat. indeed.
In Agana probably half the houses are Of stone
and the rest of nipa and bamboo, much Ike
those in Luzon. The people were cordial and
friendly. AT every town entered Gays the
report, we were met by the leading men OF the
place; at two places with United States flags
flying. White flags were upon many OF the
houses, bells were rung, and other efforts
were made by the natives to manifest regard
for the Americana These poor people appar-
entity had never heard Of William J. Bryan or
as a friend rather than "satrap Of mill
tarism," in blissful ignorance Of the fact that
they were being ground under the heel Of con-
Queror and governed without their consent
General Wheeler thus describes his reception at
Umata:
The people met me at some distance from the
town. AS l approached they fired guns rahs
bells, and made all possible display of welcome
and good feeling toward our Government. They
insisted upon our partaldng OF an entertain
ment which they had prepared, and IN many
ways exhibited g desire to receive us with
cordalty. The school children, with tner
dresses. and the boys with equally neat clothing
were brought out IN & body and presented 70
US. Here, IN other towns, everything had
q clean and cheerful appearance. The town
now has about two hundred people
AMERICANS WE'LL RECEIVED
Agat. which has population of about four
hundred was also visited and General Wheeler
says;
Agat is row one Of the most important places
next to Agana- In 1876 it contained only thir-
ty-six native houses, poor church, and q stone
house for the padre When 1 approached the
town every possible expression Of welcome 10
Americans was manifested Their one little can
non saluted small arms were fired. and the bel!s
were rung. The padre was absent but his
commodiOUs house was occupied oy Spanlard,
who, with the leading men Of the place, gave US
q very nice luncheon The streets, houses and
people all presented very clean appearance
General Wheeler spent a night at Ynaratan,
the second town Of the island in size with
population Of $50. where he was received with
the most marked hospitality" He writes;
We were met by the leading citizens as
approached and IL was touching 70 see the
efforts of all the people TO show respect TO the
american N.L-1 WeLe II GU, D-11s
rung. and the little son OF the towns Governor
walked by my side playing the ACCORDION We
were taken to the best house in the place where
We were entertained by the people. We were
given excellent supper. and were furnished
comfortable beds with very clean, nice, snow
white sheets and pilloWcases The next morn
ing the population. including the women, called.
We were given e good breakfast, and six OF the
citizens insisted upon accompanying US TO Apra.
g distance Of nearly, II not quite. fifteen miles.
GENERAL ORDERS ISSUED.
In regard 10 the government Of Guam. Gen
eral Wheeler reports that Governor Leary and
his assistant have used their best Judgment in
framing the orders which have become the laws
Of the island" and he appends copies OF these
orders, bearing dates from August 16. 1899. to
February 3, 1900. A synopsis Of them is as fol-
lows
General Order No. l, dated August IS. 1893
prohibited the disposal of liquors to any person
who was not q resident Of the island prior 10
General order No 2. Of the same date. pro-
hibited the importation Of liquors except by
special license.
General Order No. 8, of August p. prohibited
the sale Of land without first obtaining the
consent OF the Government.
General Order No 4, Of August % limited
the celebration Of religious feast days TO the
walls Of the church. chapel or private residence,
and provided that the only public holidays
recognized would be Sundays and the holidays
authorized by the United States sts tute laws
and by the Droclamations Of the President of
the United States.
General Order No. prohibits concubinage,
and commands all persons living together out Of
the bonds of wedlock TO be married
General order No 6, Of October 4 prohibits
the expectation Of certain products of the island.
General Order No. Z, of October T. commands
inha bitants who are without trade habitual
occupation TO plant certain products and keep
certain live stock.
General Order No. s prohibits the importation
or disposal Of any intoxicating stimulants, ex-
cept by special license issued by the Govern
menr,
General Order No 9, Of December 6. 1898. re-
qUires that dogs be licensed, and states that
animals large and small must not be permitted
10 run loose in the roads streets.
General Order No 10. of January D. 1900, abol-
ishes the Spanish system Of taxation real
estate and provides for a new system
General Order No. II, Of January 10, con-
demus the lawless conduct Of certain persons
belong TO the station.
General Order No 10. OF January %, pro-
vtdes a system OF public education and pro
hibits religious instruction in favor OF any par
ticular Church or creed
General Order No. Is, Of January % re-
quires each adult resident 10 learn to write his
or her name before July. 1, 1900, unless pre-
vented from so doing by physical disability.
General Order No II. Of February 3, pro-
vides regulations regarding men attached to the
command and who absent themselves from the
station.
RULES FOR LABORERs ISSUED.
Three proclamations have been issued the
last one on January l. 1900 This prohibits
peonage on the island, and respecting It the re-
port saws.