Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/703

 GUAM 651

bank notes are issued in one, two, fire, ten, twenty, fifty, one-hnndnnl. two- hundred, and five-hundred peso denominations. The Philippine peso is equivalent to fifty rents, of the United States money. The maintenance of the parity of the posi with the gold is provided for by the Currency Reserve Fund Act of May 6, 1918. The new peso now coined contains twenty grams of silver, *800 fine ; the fifty-centavo piece contains ten grams of silver, "750 fine ; the twenty-centavo piece, four grams of silver, *750 fine ; and the ten- centavo piece, two grams of silver, 750 fine. The Philippine coins have been until lately coined in the United States, but recently the Mint of the Philippine Islands, located in Manila, was established for this purpose.

British Consul-General. — Thomas Harrington. Vice-Consul at Iloilo. — Harold Walford. Vice-Consul at Cebu. — Guy Walford.

GUAM.

The Island of Guam, situated at the southern extremity of the Mariana Archipelago, in latitude 13° 26' N, longitude 144" 43' E, is the largest island of that group. It was ceded by Spain to the United States by the Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898). It is under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department of the United States, and has been designated as a Naval Station for the purposes of government and protection. A garrison of marines and a shore naval force are maintained here. Guam is a saluting port.

The length of the island is 32 miles, the breadth from 4 to 10 miles and the area about 225 square miles. Aga&a, the seat of Government, is about 8 miles from the anchorage in Apra Harbour. The port of entry is Piti. The number of inhabitants (exclusive of the military establishment) on June 80, 1920, was 14,246, of whom 13,698 were classed as 'natives.' The birth- rate was 434, and the death-rate 124 per 1,000. The native language is Chamorro, but Spanish and English are also spoken.

The Governor of the island, a naval officer appointed by the President, takes precedence over and is entitled to the honours due to an Admiral. The Governor is also the Military Commander of the island, Commandant of the naval station, and combines the functions of the executive, legislative and judicial power of the Government. The judiciary system comprises one police court, an Island Court, a Court of Equity, a Higher Court of Equity, and one Court of Appeal. The Spanish Colonial laws, modified when necessary by executive general orders of the Governor, are still in force.

Elementary education is compulsory. There are 2,239 pupils registered, 1,894 of whom are of school age (7 to 12). English, handicrafts and agriculture are taught.

There is a Government radio station on the island, which is in cable telegraphic communication with all parts of the world. There is a monthly mail service per west bound U.S. army and navy transports, from San Francisco, via Honolulu, and to Manila.

The port is closed to foreign vessels of war and commerce except in special cases. Permission to visit the island must be obtained of the Navy Department in each case.

The products of the island are maize, copra, rice, sweet potatoes, coffee.