The Washington times., 1901-09-25
THE DISORDERS In GUAM
Commander Schroeder Reports to
the Nnyy DEPARTMENT..

Commander Seaton Schroeder. Governor
OF Guam, who is in Washington under
orders to appear before the Schley Court
OF Enquiry as n witness, filed with the
Navy Department yesterday his report
on the conditions IN Guam which led to
his orders directing the attention of the
command ito the hoodlumism and law
iessness which are rampant in 1t
That the Navy Department is satisfied
with the explanation of Governor Schroe-
der Cor his strenuous orders. is shown by
the fact that he was yesterday ui-
rected to return to the island and con-
tinue his work there. He will leave here
Thursday for San Francisco and sail
from there to Yokohama He will be met
at Yokohama by the gunboat Yorktown.
which has been ordered to take him and
his family to Agana. the capital of Guam
Governor Schroeder reviews in detail the
lawlesspess in the island which OCCASION
ed his action. His report says that con-
ditions were very satisfactory until 1t
became evident that the marines COM
prising the command there were misbe-
having themselves in a great many ways.
They were allowed liberty when not on
duty, and became accustomed to go into
the town, where they spent much of their
time. They gradually commenced TO
abuse their privileges and caused trouble
by assauIting natives on the streets He
qualities these declarations by explaining
that only part of the command was guilty
of this disorder
Finally their conduct was such that
women were not safe upon the streets.
Orders had to be issued curtaiiing for
time the liberty allowed the mer. Some
of them were living outside of the bar
racks, and they were ordered back into
quarters. He calls attention to the fact
that the quarters at Agana are not. In
the strict sense, enclosed barracks, so
that it was not an easy matter to keep
the men within bounds.
The situation continued to grow worse,
until eighty of the men deserted their
quarters. At the same time barrel of
whisky also disappeared With this In
their possession the men marched of,
buying provisions along the way as they
needed them. 1t was then that Com
mander Schroeder issued his order. call
ing upon the command in general to vim
dicate the stigma placed upon it by the
action of some of their comrades.
The order referred at the same time to
the theft of several hundred dollars in
money. Two days later the perpetrators
of the theft Of money were discovered.
been caught when Comma nder Schroeder
issued his order of May II. in which he
declared that the members of an honor
able profession do not wish to harbor
thieves in their midst"
He explains that just before he left
Guam, the whole matter was being clear
ed up. that many men concerned in the
lawlessness had been court-martialed and
convicted before a summary court and
punished. At the time of his departure
disorder had been suppressed and only
the question Of the trial by general court
of few of the offenders remained to be
settled.
Commander Schroeder's report to the
Navy Department was submitted in re-
ply to an official enquiry from Secretary
Long. This enquiry reached Guam a few
days after Commander Schroeders de
parture- and he failed to receive a. copy
Of it. His attention being called to it by
the department while here, he made his
report Immediately. The Navy Depart
ment Immediately requested him to re-
turn at once and continue as Governor
of the island.