Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-04-13


miles from Sam Francisco.
The island, about as large as
greater New York, is 1906 miles due
east of Manila.
Magellan, il 1921, discovered the
group of islands of which Guam is the
most important, and named them the
Ladrones, or Robber islands, because
of the natives thieving prOpensities.
Later, sometime in the seventeenth
century, they were renamed Marianas
islands in honor of Queen Maria, Ana
de Austria, who established the first
school in Guam. This name has been
accepted by the navy department but
the group is still familiarly called the
Ladrones, writes Verne Simkins in Sea
Power.
Guam is classified as q naval reser-
vation and the commandant of the sta
ton is also governor of the island, re-
ceiving his commission as such from
the president.
During the war with Spain, Capt.
Henry Glass, commanding the cruiser
Charleston, took the island. When, in
1898, the Charleston sailed into the
harbor of Agana and opened fire upon
the fort. the Spanish governor at once
surrendered, explaining his nonresist-
ance by the statement that he had nc
powder; mot even enough to return a
salute"
Tire government was created by ex-
ecutive order of December %, 1898.
People of Mixed Blood.
When the group was found by Eu
ropeans, the natives were a branch
Of the Malay race called Chamorros
but now few are of pure blood. The
admixture of Spanish, Filipino, Jap
anese and Chinese blood is plainly
Indicated. Early navigators described
the Chamorros as tall, cOrpulent, ac
tive and strong, and, like other South
Sea islanders, much at home in, and
on the water. Both men and womer
tinged their hair a reddish yellow ant
stained their teeth. Their clothing was
scanty and generally made of grass
When Magellan arrived, the island:
had q population estimated at $4,000
This number was so reduced by wal
and plague that half century latel
there were probably not more thai
1000 left. At the present time th'
native population is approximate.
1900.
Guam is of volcanic formation, witt
coral reefs and platforms completed.
fc1n hn n.
is very uneven, varying from low sand.
beaches and fertile valleys to loft.
and rocky plateaus and mountains
the highest of which is 1920 feet. Th
coast line is very Irregular
Agana, the capital of Guam and it
principal town, is the seat of the nava
headquarters. Here also are the prin
cipal church and the main schools ant
the commercial establishments. Mos
of the natives live in Agana and il
accordance with old Spanish custom
go daily from town to work on tn
farms and ranches.
The graceful canoe of the Chamorr
was admired by the early navigators
who described 1t as long and wei
fashioned, sharp at both ends, fltte
with an outrigger to prevent capsiz
ing and often with an ornamental
carved bow. 1t was equipped wit
large triangular sails of woven pair
fronds. The largest canoes were
feet long and 8 feet wide and wer
dug out Of solid logs. Similar Graf
are in use now but they have deteriol
ated somewhat from those Of the ole
en- time.
The ChamOrros we're skillful sailor
and, doubtless, had some knowledg
of navigation for they made long voy
ages at sea including regular trips t
the Philippines, 1,500 miles ava!
Trips to Manila are known to hav
been made in ID days and certai
words in the native language seem [
indicate that they had communicate
with the Carolines and even the Hi
waiian islands, q distance of 3,3C
| miles.
The present day natives are rnpiC
ly becoming Americanized, partly b,
| cause certain American customs an
traits appeal to them and partly b.
cause of certain rules and regulation
laid down by the American governor
for their good, which compel leaI