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

island, but have allowed public works
and buildings TO fall into disrepair
They are not altogether 10 blame, fol
during the past year they have beer
In state of uncertainty. There have
been rumors on the island that Guam
was to be returned to Spain, and nc
man cared to be overzealous in hi.
loyalty to tho United States for feai
that he would suffer for it if Spain re
sumed her rule. Their doubts are
now set at rest by the arrival OF Gov
ernor Leary and the promulgation OF
his proclaim alton. The people are glaG
TO be under American rule, and al
ready arches are going up in tbs
streets and committees are beng
formed to welcome the Governor vheI
he takes up his official residence il
Agana.
The natives are peaceful and gentle
in disposition. The Filipino con
victs, sent here from Manila, seem tc
be the only disturbing element on the
island. These Filipinos tried to in
augurate a revolution last March, but
the plot was nipped in the bud by tue
naval officer In charge here at the
time. There are several schools on
the island, but education is not gen.
eral. The native is indolent, and he
can see no benefit in education. He
works if he pleases, and after a few
days knocks off with money enough ts
keep him the rest of the year. II
costs him nothing to build his house,
and if he is out of work and out OF
funds there are the breadfruit trees,
the cocoanuts and the bananas grow
ing wild. Why should he disturb his
siesta? In the past there was an ad.
ditional reason why he should not
work; he was taxed heavily for every
thing he owned.
When the natives cultivate tho
fields, they rarely live on the land
they till. Instead they prefer to
group themselves in little villages, OF
which there are number scattered
about the island. When 1t comes
harvesting time, all the men assemble
on one plantation, build hut, and
live and work together gathering in
the crop. When they have finished,
the whole body of them move to the
next plantation. It is also an coca
sion for merry-making, in which Ia
tuba plays an important part. There
is rarely any disorder, but when
necessary to quell q disturbance the
force is furnished by n company oil
native artillery, the only military
force ON the island between the
evacuation by the Spanish troops and
the arrival of the Yosemite. Every
one unItes in praising these native
andtheir appearance is surprisingly
neat and military.
Guam is an island of great posi-
bilities. Strategically, it is important
in being link in the chain between
San Francisco and Manila. CONNER
cialIy, it may be important, but at
present little is known of its re
sources, as the island has never been
developed. 1t is known, however,
that the land is extremely fertile
coffee, cocoanuts, lemons, lines, corn,
sugar cane, all grow with but little at
tention further than the planting.
Few other vegetables or cereals have
been tried, but there is little doubt
that the experiments to be undertaken
will prove that the productivity OF the
land is general. Cattle of the water
buffalo variety thrive well, but horses
do not. In fact there are only TWEEN.
ty-two horses on the whole island,
and they are owned only by the
wealthy class. 1t is not an uncom-
mon sight to see native astraddle OF
a buffalo, galIoping unconcernedly
along the muddy paths. Goats, pigs
and deer roam wild all over the isl.
and.
Copra, the dried kernel of the CO.
coanut, is the principal article of ex-
port. The other products are raised
for home consumption only. It's not
known what minerals there are in the
island, because nobody has ever tried
to find out Building material is
plentiful; lime is made by burning
the coral in a kiln, and this, mixed
with the broken coral stone, can be
shaped or plastered, and becomes
hard when exposed 10 the air This
is the material used for the walls OF
the houses. For the roadbeds the
coral IS mixed with the red clay, and
when smoothed down hardens and be.
comes like a cemented road.
There are several kinds e lumber.
the most valuable being The iron.
wood. This is used in the floors oil
the houses, the rafters, etc. It is ex-
ceediugly hard and heavy, and resists
all insects, even the teredo when used
for piles in the wharves. Some Of the
inhabitants say that the floors in their
houses are moro than one hundred
years old, and there appears no neces-
sity for removal The woodwork of n
house takes longer to complete than
the masonry There are no sawmills,
and every plank must be cut ont by
hand. In fact, the natives idea oil
architecture and Of agriculture are OF
the most primitive order. A saw and
n Ratchet for the first, the FORK Of a
tree as n pillow and machete for farm
ing are his idea of tools, and with
these he works patiently away TO the
end. If it is not finished 20 day, no
matter, tomorrow will do; time is no
matter 20 him.
Eventually Guam will havo trade
communications, n cable will be
landed, and the people will be in
touch with the world, but at present
greater isolation could hardly he i'm.