Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-03
THE ISLAND OF GUAM
is Strategic Importance Dispro.
Portionate to Size and Population
"'ei value In A. a base for Reusirs
s"o supplies for Vessels Plying
between Hawaii and
Manila,

@uam, one of the smallest of the United
ates insular possessions in the Pacific.
Fhere Capt Roy C. Smith, u. g. NJ, cap-
''eo 3sb officers and sailors Of the informed
herman gunboat Cormoran, which they
'ad blown up. is the subject of the fol-
owing war geography bulletin Of the
national Geographic society:
Inc great strategic Importance of the
STAND OF Guam, the largest and most
Populous of the I.adrone group in the
racine IN out of all proportion to it's size
ma population. In area II Is about three
md half times as large as Nantucket.
having length of less than 30 miles and
IN average width Of about six miles. Its
aluc is as base for repairs and supplies
FOR vessels between Hawaii, 3S25 miles ia
he northeast. and Manila, 1880 miles to
ne west. The population of the coral
eefed ocean oasis. according to a census
AIKEN four years ago. is 1903, Of whom
Z,44s are natives.
Guam was discovered by Magellan dur
ng his historic voyage Of 1921 when the
hip which he commanded up to the time
pr his death succeeded in circumnavigat
ng the globe. Missionaries reached the
siand century and a half later.
Although the island lies within the
northeast trade-winds. Generally speak
ng the seasons conform with those OF
Manila, the least rain falling in the win
err months.
The natives of Guam are. as a rule.
u good physique and pleasing appearance
Most of them have glossy black hair
Ehich is either straight or slightly curly
hey are essentially an agricultural peo-
'le, and their farms are often cultivated
n a communal fashion. They are char
cteristically happy and genial, singing
nd playing at their work.
practically none of the natives depends
or his livelihood on his handiwork or his
rade. There are men who can make
hoes. tan leather, and cut stone for
building purposes. but such thing as a
'hamorra shoemaker. tanner. stone-ma-
ION or merchant who supports himself ard
nis family by his trade is unknown. In
he midst Of building stone wall the
nan who has consented to help do the
work will probably say. Excuse me. senor
put | must go to my rancho for three
n four days: the weeds are getting ahead
" my corn And when lime is needed
he native to whom one is directed ma,
gay. After l have finished gathering
my cocoanuts for copra Uhe chief expor,
pr the island) I will get my boys to Gu,
wood and gather limestone to make kiln
Never fear. senior. you shall have your
ime within six weeks.
"One of the peculiar customs Of the
natives in former times was their method
pr catching FISH by the use Of intoxicants
From the fruit OF a native tree they
would make paste which they enclosed
n bags. These bags would be placed ir
holes In coral reef at low tide and a,
high tide the fish would float to the sur
ace in great quantities-some lifeless and
others merely stupefed. but all easily
gathered by the expert swimmers.
I'm the mangrove swamps of the island
at low tide hundreds of small fish witt
protruding eyes hop about in the mud
Ind climb among the roots Of trees. The
air-b ladders Of this species have develop
I'd to such an extent that in n measure
hey now perform the function Of lungs
Enabling the strange fish-animals te
breathe the air."