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

ing toward American ways. The Chi
mOrrOs are quiet and orderly, possess
great respect for the law, take well to
American occupation and are fairly
industrious in their own way. They
are exceedingly grateful for favors but
are inclined to impose upon good ma
ture, especially in the way of borrow
ing. A Chamorro does not attempt to
escape paying a debt, but ones pa
tience is at times taxed severely by
unfulfilled promises made in good
faith. AS general rule, he takes
little thought for the morrow, and
lives a happy-go-lucky life.
Larger than the Filipino, the Chi
MORO much resembles him in dress
and manner. With his jean trousers
and shirt, he wears sandals which are
held in place by leather thong pass
ing between the great and second toes.
Hats are of their own make, broad
of brim and high of crown. The wOm-
an wears long trailing skirt of bright
colOred calico and a full, low-necked
jacket of pima cloth, stiffly starched.
In addition she wears toe slippers and
usually white napkin or sort of
kerchief on her head. The hair is
done low on the back of her head in a
plain simple knot. The women, as a
rule, are very proud of their hair,
which is black and long, sometimes
curly and sometimes straight, and
they take scrupulous care of it.
iE Their Homes and Food.
The poorer houses are built of a
framework of bamboo poles with COW
ering and sides of thatch, others are
framed with thatch or tin roofs, and
still more ambitious structures are of
coral rock and lime, with tile or tin
roofs. The commonest house has but
one or two rooms, and the whole fam
lily sleeps together on woven mats on
the floor. Some boast of a Filipino
bed, and, since the American occupa-
ton, a few have obtained cots and
beds of American manufacture. All
windows are closed and tightly bolted
Mt night to keep out the air, as the
native is distinctly afraid of night air
i The staple food is rice and a kind
of cake made of corn ground in a NOR.
tar, mixed with water and baked on
hot stones. In addition there are many
edible roots such as taro and yams
tropical fruits Of many kinds, bread
fruit, fish and a limited supply OF
game. The natives raise chickens and
pigs, and are very fond of a large
bat, which they call finihi, that lives
among the rocky cliffs.
They are a very sociable people
the least event giving cause for gath
ering and feasting. Christening anC
marriage are two events in Chamor
ro's life that are especially celebrated
At these times it is customary for al
relatives and close friends to donate
something toward the merry-makin.
eggs, fowl, liquors or pigs; in some
instances a relative or friend gives {
whole calf or carabao.
Tilling the soil is the chief means O
livelihood, though few natives owl
sufficient land to sublet it and liv,
upon the income.
The main crop is copra, which is ex
ported chiefly by japanese merchants
Agriculture yields adequate returns
for the native, but it might not b,
wise for settlers to go to Guam witt
the hope Of securing an easy liveli
hood. A native can live prosperousl.
on what would give a poor existence
for the average American farmer.
Immediately after the American oc
cupation steps were taken to improv
conditions and at present there is
school system, which, though needing
improvement, is in reach of PRACTICAL,
all natives of the island. instruction
is mainly limited to elementary sub
jects, hygiene and calisthenics, thougl
lately an interest has been aroused il
gardening. In Agana there is higl
school for advanced pupils.