The Republican journal., 1907-04-04
On a U. S. Army Transport
A MONTHS VOYAGE FROM SAN FRAN
CISCO TO MANILA.
ICONCLUDED.l

look back upon, and it is hard to aSsO
ciate the thought of Christmas anC
Santa Claus with such surroundings, but
everything is being done to observe the
day in fitting manner and make 1t
memorable one in our lives. Christmas
eve large tree was arranged on deck
behind curtain, decorated and filled
with gifts for the children, and also
souvenir for every lady and gentleman
The deck was hung with strings OF red.
white and blue incandescent lights and
the whole place presented quite fes.
tive appearance. Decorated programs
of the entertainment given by the chill
dren, also dainty cards giving the dances
following were presented to each per
son. A genuine snowy bearded Santa
distributed the gifts. after which the
deck was cleared and gentlemen in full
dress and the ladies in beautiful even
ing gowns participated i'll a lively
Christmas hop, the festivities lasting un-
til late hour.
We have had Christmas services this
morning, and are filled to depletion
with all the good things pertaining to
the proverbial Christmas dinner. A SOU
venir menu card decorated with rib
bons and bearing the captains likeness
was placed at each plate as memento
of the occasion. The saloon is beautl-
fully decorated with palms, flags and
bunting; large mirror over the side
board bears the inscription, "A Merry
Christmas To AL" The thermometer
registers S4 degrees, which makes it seem
more fitting to be the GLORIOUS 4th'
we celebrate. The marines have pleas
antly entertained us this evening with
a quartette of stringed instruments,
OF q flG
buck and wing dancing Being one day
ahead of our friends in the States we
discuss with considerable interest the
probable proceedings at home. The
children are about hanging mp their
stockings while these rs little ones,
somewhat wearied of their toys and
satiated with sweets, are being content
eddy tucked up in their berths. The
children apparently are enjoying every
moment of the long weariSOme voyage,
being almost exempt from seasickness,
and when but few of their elders ap-
peared on deck their romplng games
and mirth were unquenched.
Dec. 9th. We drifted along in sight
of the island of Guam during the even
ing but owing to the many dangerous
coral reefs surrounding it Capt. Lyman
would not venture in until sunrise, then
we came closer and anchored in the
bay. Natives with boat loads OF fruit
. soon begin swarming about the sides,
but are not allowed to come on board.
The natives are mostly revolutionary
prisoners who have been deported there
during the troublesome times in the
Philippines.
The island presents a beautiful view
from the ship, rising abruptly from the
tor nf 0ra1 HanSHtV wood
ed in parts, the background of noun
tains, more rocky, yet softly green
everywhere from the late rains. This
is the finest part of the year, and for a
few months life must be truly delight
ful in this beautiful island. On the
point nearest us is the United States
cable station; a collection of white
buildings nestled like a little village
in the banana and cocoanut groves.
Young reefs Of coral extend straight
out mile or more from shore to our
lett making a snowy line of high dash
Ing breakers, pointing out the danger
like an index finger. At our right are
broken fragments and surf here and
there. Guam is the principal island of
the Ladrone group, which are II in
number, but of which only five are in
habited. The Ladrones were discovered
by Ferdinand Magellan III 1921 On
Pagan and Urac are two volcanoes
winch occasionally Show activity. The
total population Of the islands is eSti-
mated at 10000 and the climate and
soil are similar to the Philippines, as
are the products. The natives are I'M
doubtedly related to those of the Philip
pines, being of Malayan type. Very
little Spanish is spoken by them, Cha
MORO being the native idiom. About
Is years ago the Ladrones had popu-
lation of nearly $4,000, but owing to
hostility on the part of the natives
toward officers of Spanish vessels visit
ing the islands, Butcher Weyler,
then Governor of the Philippines, sent
over military expedition, nearly an
Initiating the inhabitants. Guam is
situated $500 miles west of Honolulu,
500 miles north of the Carolinas and
l475 miles east of Manila; is about 30
mules in length and 10 miles wide. The
chief town and capital of the islands is
Agawa, which lies five miles inland,
and has population of 5000. After
the war with Spain these islands were
annexed to the United States, and now
the governor and chief executive is an
launch brings Gov. Potts and other
officials aboard the Thomas" There
is exchange of greetings everywhere,
as they have friends OF board-the gov
ernors sister, Miss Potts, and several
army officers with their families from
the States about to take station here.
Immediately notices are posted up over
the ship that Gov. Potts and wife ex-
tend cordial invitation to all the la
dies and gentlemen of the Thomas to
lunch at the palace at - noon, and
transportation would be furnished them
to and from the boat. Everyone is de-
lighted, of course, rapid preparations
are made and at 1915 launches take us
up narrow passage between coral
reefs for about mile. Here the gov
ernor's private rigs of native ponies
and other native carts with caribaos
are waiting to carry us five miles over
land to Agawa, where the palace is
situated This is a fine looking build
ing of Spanish architecture, furnished
in beautiful but Withal homelike
manner.
Here we are entertained most gra-
ciously by the Governor and Miss Potts,
who go among their guests introducing
themselves, asking names and chatting
personally with each. 4 tree for the
children and an Christmas dinner had
been prepared two days previous, as we
were expected at that time. being delay.