The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-07-19
TROUBLE
At GUAM
What One Barrel
Of Whisky
Did.
GOV. SCHROEDER
MAKES A SPEECH
He Denounces His Garrison as a
Disgrace to Their Country
and Uniform.

A barrel of whisky-which has before
now destroyed the peace of more than
one community-now figures In press
up the $50 sailors and marines there
against Commander Seaton Schroeder,
U. S. N, governor of the island. A
barrel of whisky was stolen, it appears
from the hospital stores. The worst
of it was, the barrel was the last one
to find the thief, is said to have lined
all the men up on the plaza, severely
censured them in a speech, and pun
ished them with confinement in the
barracks, and withdrawal of liberty af-
ter taps. Opinion may differ as to the
Leary, U. S. N, was governor it would
have been a pleasure to hear a speech
from so felicitous and poetic a speak
err even if it had been of a reprimand-
ing nature. On May 5 Governor Schroe
der issued an order in which he exc
calling attention to the ''hoodlumism
and lawlessness" that appeared to be
rampant among the men. In this or
der the naval governor referred to nu-
merous instances of terrorism, theft,
gambling and drunkenness among the
cans in the eyes of the islanders, and
appealed to the marines for a denun-
citation of the offenders. In the mean
time the governor ordered the garri-
son confined to the barracks pending
the production of evidence as to the
guilty parties. A subsequent order was
issued by the governor on May Ii in
which he applauded the promptitude
with which evidence in regard to the
ringleaders had been produced. The
men implicated were put on trial by
court-martial on charges of insubordi-
nation.
The drastic measures taken by Com
mander Schroeder to enforce his au-
thority in the island of Guam is in
Dictated by this order just made public:
Order No. 4, United States Naval Sta
ton, Guam, May 5. 1901.
First-The attention of the command
of this station is directed to the hood
lumism and lawlessness which are
rampant in it.
Second-It is not necessary to men
ton all the instances of terrorism,
theft, gambling and drunkenness which
have brought the United States forces
into diSrepute among the people of this
island. But there is reason for allud-
ing to the theft few weeks ago of
a barrel of whisky from the naval hos
pital that was the last and sole supply
of the medical department for medical
purposes. An officer on duty here has
since then been so reduced by climatic
fever that a certain amount OF whisky
was considered necessary to keep him
from utter prostration. Fortunately a
small supply was obtained from a
passing vessel. Had that accidental
supply not been forthcoming and had
that officer succumbed, his death would
have rested upon the heads of the
scoundrels who committed the theft.
There are many who know who those
thieves are, but they apparently have
not the courage to denounce them;
they are afraid. This gang operates in
the United States uniform, although
not always in the uniform of their own
corps. Their latest victim is an en-
listed man in the battalion, from
whom they have stolen clothing and
over 5000 in Mexican silver.
Third-For the present, and until
further orders, all enlisted men in this
station shall live in the barracks pro-
vided for them, and no liberty shall be
granted after taps. Commanding Off
GERS of posts will provide the necessary
number of sentries to enforce this or
der, and will direct the officers of the
day to have the roll called in any or
all of the barracks whenever there may
seem to be reason for it, even If that
be at every fifteen minutes during the
night.
Fourth-The many honorable men of
the command, men who do not steal,
nor gamble, nor get drunk, are invited
to bestir themselves. When they shall
have attained to real manhood's estate
and decided to take courage and put
stop to these practices by bringing the
offenders to light, then regulations
under a cloud may be cleared, and the
command become a source of pride, in
stead of shame to their officers, and
disgrace to their country and TO their
uniform. Until then, and while the
guilty remain uncontrolled, none are
innocent. SEATON SCHROEDER,
Commander, U. S. N, Governor.
Army and Navy Journal.