The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-21
With GUAM NATIVES.
THEY ARE DESCRIBED AS BEING SU.
pERIOR TO FILIPINOS.
Some Characteristics Of Dress, Manners
and Customs Of American
Energy Upon the
Inhabitants.

contrast to the Filipinos. Though orig
inally, in great part, from the same stock.
they have inherited all Of the virtues
and few of the vices of these people.
There is In the blood OF these people
a considerable portion of Spanish, South
American and American stock the last
being due to the whaling vessels that
used to frequent the island In large num-
bers to obtain fresh water and to re-
cuperate their crews. IT Is not at all
unusual to hear English spoken even
In the interior of the island, and, in fact,
II is quite as common as Spanish. In
personal appearance the natives resemble
the Filipinos though Of greater stature
and more robust, while the hair Is not so
bristling and porcupine-like and brown
or even blonde hair is occasional evidence
of the mixture of races. The intelli-
gence, as indicated by their faces, Is
much more marked than In the natives of
the Philippines The women. when young.
have well-rounded figures and an excel
lent carriage, which redeems to a great
extent their shortness of stature and
consequent tendency to dumpiness. In
my long walks about Agana / have mo-
ticed many that were very comedy, and
some that were decidedly pretty. AS
they age they do not become unduly fat,
or later on repusvely haggard. as is the
case with so many tropical natives.
Their dress Is neat and clean, and In
their personal habits they are modest and
tidy. For the women the costume consists
of a short chemise. or jacket, with low
neck and short sleeves. This Is made of
white material of varying degrees of fine
ness For more ceremonial occasions 1t Is
embroidered around the neck and upon the
sleeves. and is sometimes bordered with
lace. 1t fits closely to the stayless figure
Upon occasions of the greatest Importance
an elaborate jacket OF the beautiful and
expensive juna cloth, with flowing sleeves
and wide collar. is worn over the chemise-
With this is worn skirt OF vari-colored
calico or cotton stuff. generally of some
bright hue. The feet are usually bare,
small heelless slippers of colored leather
being occasionally seen. The hair Is drawn
back from the forehead into a knot and
hats are never worn. In church white
cloth is worn as veil over the head.
The men dress simply and comfortably,
generally in suits of white drilling such
as are common all through the East. The
Filipino custom of wearing white shirt
with long flowing tails is in favor among
the poorer natives.
As to the mental and moral characteris-
tics of our new citizens. all that we know
so far Is of a favorable nature. They are
clearly. Intelligent and peaceable. The
great majority Of them can read and write,
and every village has its school for in
struction in the elementary branches, They
are courteous in their department, and in
variably touch their hats to us when we
pass them. and are most generous to Wis
itors. The host who should receive visitors
without offering them some refreshment
during the call is considered very insult
ing to the guests, while It is equally rude
for the guest to refuse the proffered re-
freshment. They seem to be very light
hearted, and are fond of music and dane
ing. while their greatest amusement is
cock fighting--the tax upon which was one
of the principal sources of revenue to the
former government of the island. They
are not at all fervent in their religion, and
about all of the church going and devo-
however, they are excusable in this, for
the Spanish priests who have been here
have not set a good example, being a
cruel and oppressive lot. The native
priests are of a far higher and better
character, and are much more respected.
The worst trait. however, of the citizen
of Guam is Incidence. Nature is so pro-
vident, and so warm and smiling here
that little effort is required to support life
and provide sustenance for the family. To
pay native by the day or in advance is
until he has accumulated 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 life of affuent ease for as many
months as the money and supplies hold
out.