The Washington herald., 1908-06-16

Ihis sentiment was voiced by Atanasio
Taitano Perez, former chief clerk I'm the
office Of the commandant of the Guam
Naval Station, who came 70 this country
to give his daughter the benefit OF a
| thorough American education, having
placed her in the Convent OF the Sisters
OF Mercy, in Oakland, Cal Mr.. Perez
at the same time is making a tour Of
this country, visiting the principal cities
and institutions and manufacturing estab-
hshments. The prominent Guam-Ameri-
can was received yesterday by President
Roosevelt, who greeted him most cor
daily.
Proud to BE Americans.
We are proud to be Americans" said
Mr. Perez yesterday. "and our loyalty
to the Stars and Stripes may never be
questioned. The American government
has benefited Guam IN many ways. and
its people bear this in mind with feelings
OF sincere gratitude. American influence
is felt everywhere. This IS proven by the
existence OF two regular baseball teams.
whose games are patronized by the na-
tives. as we'll as Americans, residing in
the island
| Through the efforts OF the American
government our boys are given an oppor-
tunity 10 be apprenticed in government
shops where they learn regular trades.
such as blacksmithinR. masonlng. brick
laying, tailoring. shoemaking. and other
occupations Before the American occupa-
ton agriculture formed the main vocation
or the islanders. But since the govern
ment offered employment 10 many natives
n = mi "a NJ ola nr1y -.
| farms. and for a time IL looked as ~
farming in the island would become a
thing Of the past. Since the arrival Of
Gov. Dorm, however. renewed interest has
! been awakened in the pursuits OF agricul-
ture.
Natives Go Back 10 Farms.
He has made earnest efforts 10 induce
the natives TO return 10 their little farms.
An agricultural experimental station has
been established in Guam. where the ma
tives may obtain free OF charge all kinds
Of seeds and plants, as well as instruc-
tions.
The main products OF Guam are corn.
coffee, cacaO, and other tropical products.
Before the American occupation. there
was law against the importation OF liv-
the island plant diseases. This restric-
ton was removed by the American gov
ernment with the result that our coffee.
| cacao. and other plants are infested with
/ insects and diseases. The coffee industry.
which once upon a time was cOnsiderab bic.
has fallen of in consequence Of the plant
disease
Following right upon the heels OF the
American occupation. a trading house
was established in Guam by an American
concern. This enterprise, however. could
not compete with the japanese. who be-
gan TO pour into the island. The japanese
are not welcome in Guam, they drain the
island Of money, which they send 20 their
homes in Japan; they spend as little as
possible in Guam. II is true that there
are a few japanese who have married
! Guam girls and who have accepted
/ Christianity, having been received into
the Catholic Church; but, as a rule, we
don't want them.
VIII Bar the Japanese.
AS a matter Of fact. the governor has
decided to put a stop 10 japanese immi-
grafton. They take employment away
from the natives and employ every means
TO enter the country. A neat scheme OF
smuggling Japanese into Guam was dis
covered not long ago. In order TO obtain
admission, the japanese would arrive on
a vessel as one OF the crew. The CAPTAIN.
| as agreed before leaving Japan, would
discharge him as soon as the vessel
| reached Guam. BY this trick many jap
anese gained admission into our country
/ But the governor Is onto their game now
| and has closed the doors against the sons
of Nippon.
There is no idea among the people Of
/ Guam Of ever changing their allegiance
/ from the United States to Japan We
are proud to be Americans. and If ever
/ the day should come when the flag Of
the Mikado should take the place Of the
Stars and Stripes in the island 1 would
move away from the place.
Religious professions, the sale of
| liquor. cockhghting. the ringing Of church
| bells, and all sorts Of popular amuse-
ments were interdicted by the American
! government at its first arrival in Guam;
] but all these rights and privileges have
| been restored to US gradually, and the
people are on the most friendly footing
| with the American officials, who are re-
I garded as the islands protectors and
| friends"
Many Wed Guam Girls.
Speaking Of Americans residing in the
island. Mr.. Perez said that there are
quite a number OF them who were for
merly petty officers in the Marine Corps.
who, upon the termination Of their con-
tract with the government. settled down
| in the island and married daughters Of
Guam. Nearly every one of these mar
riages has turned out happy" said Mr.
Perez, "and some Of the husbands have
brought their wives TO the United States
10 introduce them to their people These
Americans are in business and are pros
! porous
There was no such thing IN the island
as hospital before the Americans came
| Our sick and poor had 10 shift for them
selves outside the little help they re-
| ceived from kind-hearted people. Now
there are two hospitals and a dispensary
in the island Gov. Schroeder established
| a hospital for men. Gov Dyer estab-
llshed one for women and children, and
Gov. Potts had a dlspensary erected
where medical treatment end medicines
may be obtained at a nominal price.
while we were subjects OF Spain. little
or no attention was paid 10 educating the
natives. There seemed to be an impress
sion that the less the native knew the
more tractable he would be. All this has
been changed by the Americans
Natives Are Being schoOIed.
The natives are being educated and
are beginning to feel the blessings of in
tellectual enlightenment. In many cases
the American officials and their wives act
as teachers.
I'VE realize that we cannot be self
supporting and that we. therefore. can
not ask for self-government. The great
majority OF the people are perfectly hap