New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-25
LEARY'S RULE OVER GUAM
IN SIX MONTHS HE HAS TRANSFORMED
THE ISLANDERS
EXPULSION OF CORRUPT PRIESTS AND
THE ENFORCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.


MUCH WORK TO BE DONE
San Francisco, March "a (speciaD. king"
Learys rale in the island OF Guam, with its ten
thousand dark skinned inhabitants and its Span
fish traditions. has been remarkably successful,
judging from stories told by travellers who have
recently come from that lotos eating land He
has Won the respect and goodwill OF the natives
by his uniform Kindness and his daily efforts to
improve their condition, moral and political,
have been accepted in good faith. During his
six months residence in the island Captain
Leary has accomplished a marvellous amount Of
work The corrupt and grasping governors of
Spain ard ignorant priests who for century
have Systematically robbed the natives and ruled
by force and superstition have been swept from
the island. The marriage rite, long ago fallen
into disuse, has been re-estabshed. The old
Spanish laws nave been overhauled and revised
10 meet existing conditions. Thrift and
scbriety are not only encouraged but required
of the natives. Schools and hospitals have been
established the island and public works pro-
jected that will give employment TO all who may
reed or desire it. These things have all been
brought about gradually that the natives
have not telt that radical changes have been
forced upon them by the new government.
An excellent insight into Governor Learys rule
may be gained from the observations of Lieuten-
ant Roscoe Spear. naval officer who left New
York with Captain Leary in the Yosemite sew
eral months ago. and who returned TO the United
States on the naval transport Soace landing
here few days ago. Lieutenant Spear speaks
in the highest terms of Captain Leary's work in
Guam
TRIBUTE TO LEARY
1t has been a difficult task said Lieutenant
Spear. Ito break down superstitions and
throw traditions that have been in force for
nearly a century, and 10 teach the people the
meaning Of honesty in government But
in so short time Governor Leary has accom-
plished this, and so gradually, too. that the
tives seem 10 take il matter of course. The
old Spanish government was corrupt in the ex-
IRENE and robbed the people without scruple.
The priests did their share, ruling by super
stition. We drove three of them off the island,
leaving only one. worthy old native priest. or
'chimorro,' Padre Jose, who alone commanded
the respect Of the people. 1 understand that the
exiled priests trying hard to get back, but
the people do not want them
Kidding the island of superstition was the
first step, and then the Governor turned his
attention to the reconstruction of society. He
resurrected the marriage rite and enforced 1t.
II popular For time We had
weddings-as many as forty or fifty in a single
night. One of the requirements for securing a
license was that the man should first show his
a
and cocoanut grove. a pig and dozen
chickens. and must acknowledge his willingness
to work. Under the old regime if a man ac-
cunulated any personal property it was usually
claimed by the Governor or priests. so that the
natives preferred not to work.
HOLIDAYS CUT DOWN.
THE natives accepted the new conditions
without a murmur, and then the Governor took
another step. Under Spanish rule about every
other day was a feastday. given up to fun and
INox- anr aor
cut down the number Of feast DAYS about one
half by a public decree, and viii probably make
another cut before the year is out The over
hauling of the old Spanish laws and the per-
fecting Of land titles proved hard work. but II
has been done. Lieutenant Stafford assisted
the Governor materially in this work. Then
scale of taxes arranged-not heavy taxes.
but sufficient to teach the natives that they have
some share in the government and some re-
sponsibility A collector of customs.a native
has been appointed. and fifteen native guards
do police duty throughout the Island
while the Governor working out these
local reforms We the Yosemite were not per-
initted to be idle. First made complete
survey OF the harbor, and found 1t deep enough
for any ship af1oat. 1t is somewhat exposed TO
the southern monsoons, but that fault can De
corrected by building a breakwater at no great
expense The main trouble is that the reef. a
mile from shore, prevents vessels from getung
in close and the water between the reet ana
shore line is shallow, except for few deep
holes II will probably be recommended that
FOR the present a channel be cut thorugh the
coral into one OF the inner pools basins, which
viii he cut out for a slip The wharf will have
10 be built out to that point. where coal puhkers
will probably be erected.
"A board OF officers was convened on the
ship about Christmas time and maze many
recommendations which were forwarded 10
Washington fortnight ago. re reconnehoa-
ton is for a coaling station. ii Governor mas
asked for an ice plant, dredge, 'awmill tools
and horses or mules He is eager to begin work
Lumber for barracks and all that sort or thing
VIII be needed. ] believe that the ice plant mas
already been sent by the supply steamer Scndla'
iS kel %
the harbor. The present capital and principa!
town is five miles up the coast-a long not ana
dusty five miles, too We used TO travel IL IN
bullock carts the backs OF ragged little
ponies The Governor sports a carriage inn
ported from Manila, drawn by two fllpino
ponies He lives in the old palace, at the capl-
tai but has partially rebuilt the place and made
it attractive. Sewerage and water have been
put in He keeps a native guard or 10 men
1.-THE labor problem will, fear. pe cifncult
to solve. The natives cannot be rehed upon,
and the climate is too hot for white men. The
Government ought to import lot of japanese
coolies and horses and mules.
AN important piece of work now under way
is a survey of the island We could not COM
piete il with our small boats and the Yosemite
is too large. Probably the Ranger, or some sur
vey boat OF her size will be sent down from
here to complete the work. The present Sur
yeyor-General Of the island is an ex-Spanish
officer who married a native woman. He and
another ex-officer, who lives there. will take
the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Excellent work has been done by DR. Leach,
surgeon OF the Yosemite and his two assistants.
Drs. Grunwell and Stone who have established
hospitals in various parts of the island. DR..
Stone is the quarantine officer The island Is
healthfcl. but. OF course, any disease that be-
comes epidemic among the natives is fatal.
Typhoid fever there is generally malignant.
We had run Of it among the seamen on the
Yosemite. and lost four
The natives are pleasant and mild hammered.
They fond OF music and dancing. In the
latter pastime they are expert at the Spanish
OF drinking, but the Governor has prohibited