Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-20
HACKETT'S REPORT
Matters Relating to Guam and
Tutuila.
READY TO AID STATE NAVAL MILITIA
Urges Establishment of a Naval
Reserve.
REVIEWS RECOMMENDATIONS

REVIEWS RECOMMENDATIONS
Assistant Secretary Hackett of the Navy
| Department has submitted his annual
port. covering matters relating to the
Islands of Guam and Tutuila, the naval
militia, the naval war college and a num-
| Der of other subjects coming under his SUI
pervision.
Affairs in Guam.
Mr.. Hackett calls attention to the annual
report of Commander Seaton Schroeder,
governor Of Guam, which shows that the
sum raised by taxation during last year
was $53 35673-a gain over the preceding
year of 81, $3.50. The money is applied
to the building of roads, the repair Of
bridges and the support of schools. Com
mander Schroeder calls the attention of the
Navy Department to the fact that II the
Supreme Court decides that duties may not
be levied upon articles exported from any
state, the loss of income to Guam will
amount to about $12,762. That was the
amount derived from customs duties on fm-
ports into Guam last year. and only
small portion of 1t was derived from FOR
eign imports. Commander Schroeder says
lifting the duties off American goods will
drive the English, Japanese and Chinese
traders out of business, leaving the Amert-
can trader as the sole dealer, with the re-
suit that there will be no customs dues to
collect. In that event. Commander Schroe-
der asks an allotment from an emergency
fund and suggests that an item be tncor-
porated In the deficiency bill for the pres
ent year. and estimate made for an ap-
preparation for 1903.
The three projects of primary Importance
to Guam, says Commander Schroeder, are
education, good roads and a better water
supply 1t is hoped soon to take an actual
census of the island. Tangible benefits are
expected to arise from this, especially in
insuring the exaction Of the poll tax and
the fifteen days labor which Tor money
commutation) the law requires be furnished
by every male between the ages of eighteen
and sixty.
Trouble With the Marines.
In closing his report Commander schroe-
| der makes the following reference to his re-
cent troubles with the marine guard
Il have had occasion at various times to
note and to mention to the department
| that many little actions on the part Of the
natives of the island indicate a friendly
| feeling for the American government its
| flag and its representatives here This feel
| ing Is quite lstakable and will, hope,
| become well founded. Among the less
| thoughtful the feeling Of uneasiness engen-
dered by the detestable spirit Of lawless-
| ness displayed by part of the marine bat
| TALON has undoubtedly checked somewhat
this feeling of satisfaction with the new
| regime; but 1 am glad to think that the
more intelligent persons understand that the
| present detachment Is not truly representa-
| tive, and the steps taken to restore order
| tend to reassure them. 1t is hoped that in
| time one prime difficulty will be removed.
| viz, the dread of this peaceable and law
abiding people Of complaining and testify
| ing against those who maltreat them. To
| preserve law and order among the people
| themselves Is matter of no difficulty; the
| little company of insular artillery which
| forms the cOnSt bulary. although ineffi-
| GENTLY armed, is an excellent body of re-
| spectful and reliable soldiers. with whose
| support alone there could be no hesitation
| In undertaking the government of the
! island"
The Hurricane Mt Guam.
Assistant Secretary Hackett speaks Of
| events in Guam in part as follows:
| THE year will be memorable in Guam's
| history for the occurrence of an event of
| disastrous consequences. On the 18th Of
| November a terrific hurricane devastated
| the island and caused the loss of the
| Yosemite. five of whose crew lost their
| lives. The sea submerged the lowlands and
| flooded the streets of Agana, the capital of
| the island. Crops and vegetation were al
| most entirely wiped out, while government
buildings We're injured and many of the
| slightly built houses of the natives were
either destroyed or badly damaged.
| LAS might have been expected. both off,
| GERS and men of the station devoted them
| women and children. The medical officers.
\ already overworked from an epidemic of
grippe. relieved the suffering among the
natives at cost to themselves Of prostra-
! ton from fatigue and fever
| 'Of the 2J5 deaths that occurred on the
| island during the year thirtyfour were
| caused by the hurricane. The havoc Wis.,
! tied upon the island made 1t necessary to
| expend nearly $4,000 for the purchase Of
| food. The promptitude with which this aid
came to the sufferers evoked grateful ex-
pressions on every hand. The incident was
not without its value in Strengthening the
| loyalty of the people Of Guam.
| Gov. Schroeder has taken deep interest
| in the cause of education. At his request
| the department has sent out a competent
| teacher. Mr.. H. H Hiatt of Nebraska. Mrs.
Hiatt, who accompanies her husband, has
! had long experience in teaching. The peo-
pie are very DESTROYS of being taught Eng
| prospect Of a good common school educa-
| ton.
This office approves Of Commander
| Schroeders recommendation that Congress
empower the Navy Department to author
| lie the commandant of the station, being
| outside of the continental limits of the
United States. to convene general courts
| martial.
1.-The complete isolation of Guam is a
| marked feature of existence there. Mails
are very infrequent. The department has
| intended to keep a ship and collier in the
| harbor of Guam, but 1t has not been at all
| times possible to do SO. OF course, the I'M
| fortunate loss of the Yosemite was severely
| felt. AS yet no ship has taken her place.
| The Supply, however. of AGO tons. Is
| nearly fitted out at the New York navy
| yard, and will soon sail for Guam, to re-
| main on that station
Satisfactory Conditions I'm Tutuila.
In reference to Tutuila, the assistant Sec
rotary says:
THE Island of Tutuila, one of the Samoan
/ group, lies in the pathway of commerce
| from San Francisco to Australia. The ma
tives continue to be content under our flag,
and their condition has been maintained
much as it was when the United States
took sole possession. Such changes as are
effected have been but gradually accom-
plished, with the result that peace and
good feeling prevail.
THE past year has been uneventful ut
this station, the chief activity being the
building Of a coal-storage shed and pier,
now about completed. though much grading
remains to be done. Here. as at Guam,
the question Of education has assumed the
first Importance. For many years an .x-
cellent work has been accomplished by the
London Missionary Society. There are q
few Americans engaged in educating the