The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-03

tiful and expensive juna cloth. with
flowing sleeves and wide collar. Is
worn over the chemise. With this is
worn a skirt of vari-colored calico or
cotton stuff, generally of some bright
hue. The feet are usually bare, small
heelless slippers of colored leather be-
ing occasionally seen. The hair is
drawn back from the forehead into
knot, and hats are never worn. In
church white cloth is worn as a veil
over the head.
The men dress simply and comfor-
tably. generally in suits of white drill
ling, such as are common all through
the East. The Filipino custom of
wearing a white shirt with long and
flowing tails is in favor among the
poorer natives.
One of the first things evident to us
is the decided antipathy OF the natives
for the Filipinos. There are few of
them upon the island, and these are
not at all regarded with favor. In truth.
they seem to be quite as unruly here
as they are in their home. and their
qualities make them about the only
disturbing element in this peaceful,
well-dispOsed people. The only pris-
oner in the Jail of the place was an
ugly-loOking Filipino who had muir
dered a German trader about a year
ago, and was sentenced to a long term
of confinement. When We were visit
ing the Jail the keeper showed us his
solitary prisoner, and then carelessly
left the door of the cell. a large room
with woOden-barred windows, and ap-
parently very insecure, wide open
while he showed us about elsewhere.
When we commented on this he said
that no precautions were necessary, for
no one on the island would harbOr the
prisoner or aid him in any way, should
he attempt to escape. and that he
would soon be returned to custody by
the people.
Last March the few Filipinos on the
island began to foment and incite
trouble and insurTection, saying that
the Americans were not coming, and
that the islands were to be given back
to Spain. Their efforts were fruitless,
for the loyal and pacific natives imme-
diately compelled these men 10 leave
the island and go to the islands tc the
northward.
As to the mental and moral charaC-
teristiCs of our new citizens, all that we
know so far is OF a favorable nature.
They are cleanly, intelligent and peace
able. The great majority of them can
read and write, and every village has
its school for instruction in the ele-
ncutlTy branches, They are modest
and very courteous in their deport- :
ment. and invariably touch their has
to us when we pass them. and are most
generous to visitors. The host who
should receive visitors without offer
ing them some TefTeshment during
the call is considered very insulting
to his guests. while it is equally rude
for the guest TO refuse the prOffered
refreshment They seem to be very
light-hearted. and are fond of music
and dancing, while their greatest
amusement is cock-fighting-the tax
upon which was one of the principal
sources of revenue to the former gov
ernment of the island. They arc not
at all fervent in their religion, and
about all of the church-going and de-
yotion is confined to the women. Per-
haps. however, they are excusable in
this. for the Spanish priests who have
been here have not set good exam
pie, being a cruel and oppressive lot.
The native priests are of far higher
and better character, and are much
more respected.
The worst trait. however, of the citi-
zen OF Guam is Incidence. Nature is |
so pTovident, and so warm and smil- |
ing here, that little effort is required |
to support life and provide sustenance |
for the family. To pay a native by |
the day or in advance is a fatal error |
indeed, for he will work until he has |
accumulated a few dollars, then buy /
his wife a new skirt, lay in a supply |
of canned goods at the store, some (
tobacco and tuba (cocoanut rum), and /
then retire to a life of affluent ease for /
as many months as the money and |
supplies hold out.
IntoxicatiOn is very rare. Men and /
alike smoke cigars and pipes, /
and nearly every one has the insight
ly habit of chewing the betel-nut. The .
native cigar is an object of wonder
to the newcomer II is made from the
whole leaf of the native tobacco, which
is of most excellent flavor, but very
strong and green, rolled into a cylin-
der about eight inches long, and
wound about with threads of fibre TO
keep it from unwrapping.
With the example Of American ener-
" and industry; with advanced edu-
cation, and with the influences of
progress; with a strong and just gov
ernment and purified religious example
and Observation-Disclosures opens before
he inhabitant of Guam a most prom
sing future; and before us, whose
duty ii is to plant here a model col
lny. there lies a most interesting ex-
Derience and labor, Of the ultimate
success OF which there can be no pos
iible doubt.