The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-08-10
LITTLE GUAM
IS PROSPEROUS
American Rule Does Much For Native
Islanders-Island Has Popu-
lation of 1000.
THE JAPANESE ARE NOT LIKED.
A. T. Perez Received by President
Roosevelt, Tells About Progress
Since End of Spanish Rule.
washington, D. G., HeraldJ

washington, d. c., Herald)
American Ideals and principles of
government as applied in Guam, an
American island half way between Ha-
wall and the Philippines, have proved
themselves eminently successful, and
have brought happiness and compare
tive prosperity to the little island.
The whole island is twenty-seven
miles long and is inhabited by 11,0OO
souls, and was the first to be settled
by Europeans in that part of the world,
having been discovered by Magellan.
This sentiment was voiced by Alta
nasio Taitano Perez, former chief clerk
in the Office of the commandant of the
Guam Naval Station, who came to this
country to give his daughter the ben
eft of 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
tour of this country, visiting the
principal cities and institutions and
manufacturing establishments. The
prominent Guam-American was receiv-
ed yesterday by President Roosevelt,
who greeted him most cordially.
PROUD TO BE AMERICANS.
I'VE 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 it's people bear this IN
mind with feelings of sincere graft
tude. American influence is felt every
where. This is proven by the exist
ence of two regular baseball teams,
whose games are patronized by the ma
tives, as wei as Americans, residing IN
the island.
Through the efforts of the American
government our boys are given an OPP
portunity to be apprenticed in govern
ment shops where they learn regular
trades, such as blacksmithing, mason
ing, bricklaying, tailoring, shoemaking,
and other occupations. Before the
American occupation agriculture form
ed the main vocation of the islanders.
But since the government offered en-
jployment to many natives as minor
clerks, they have neglected their farms
and for a time it looked as if 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 agri-
culture.
NATIVES GO BACK TO FARMS.
He has made earnest efforts to in
duce the natives to return to their lit
tie farms. An agricultural experiment.
al station has been established in GU
am, where the natives may obtain free
of charge all kinds of seeds and plants,
as well as instructions.
THE main products of Guam are
corn, coffee, cacao, and other tropical
products. Before the American occu-
patton, there was law against the i'm
portation of living plants, for fear OF
introducing into the island plant dis
eases. This restriction was removed
by the American government, with the
result that our coffee, cacao and Other
plants are infested with insects anC
diseases. The coffee industry, which
once upon a time was considerable, ha.
fallen off in consequence of the plan
disease
Following right upon the heels o
the American occupation, a tradinl
house was established in Guam by al
American concern. This enterprise
however, could not compete with tn,
Japanese, who began to pour into tn,
island. The Japanese are not welcom,
In Guam; they drain the island O
money, which they send to their home
in Japan; they spend as little as DOS
sible in Guam. 1t is true that Their
are a few Japanese who have Marie,
Guam girls, and who have accepSe,
Christianity, having been received IN
to the Catholic church; but. as a rule
we don't want them.
WILL BAR THE JAPANESE.
AS a matter of fact, the goyerno
} has decided to put a stop to Japanes
immigration. They take employment
/" away from the natives and employ ey
cry means to enter the country. A nea
scheme Of smuggling Japanese int
Guam was discovered not long ago. 1
4 order to obtain admission, the Japa
nese would arrive on vessel as one {
20 the crew. The captain, as agreed be
. fore leaving Japan, would disoharg
4 MIN as soon as the vessel reached Gl
; am By this trick many Japanese gain
) ed admission into our country. Blu
q the governor is onto their game no,
3 and has closed the doors against III
sons of Nippon.
= There is no idea mong the peopI
OF Guam Of ever changing their alleg
ance from the United States to Japal
We are DrO1d IN Ia AnnarIoa,, -,