How the Mariana Islands were Separated
A 1752 map of the Mariana Islands by P. Alonso Lopez / Photo courtesy of Donald Rubinstein
When the US was a young country without much knowledge of colonialism, its Navy overwhelmed the Spanish and won the SpanishAmerican War in 1898. Soon after, America decided it wanted the Mariana Islands, as well as the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Yet, knowing that Germany was interested in acquiring more tropical islands for their copra industry, and recognizing the German Kaiser’s need for prestige, President McKinley allowed Germany to make a deal with Spain over the Caroline Islands. When Germany discovered the US was willing to give up the Northern Marianas, they paid Spain some $4.2 million for both island
groups. On February 6,1899, the Senate voted to ratify the Treaty of Peace, approving the transaction between the three nations. Now, 120 years later, the islands remain two political entities, though both are US territories. It is time to create a joint commission on political status to study the impacts of having two different governments for the same people, who have more commonalities within their historical heritage than differences. Then, with some solid numbers in hand, perhaps it is time to once again address the question: Shall the Mariana Islands be reunified? Click to read more about reunification.
Orders in a Time Before Civilian Rule Before Guam had a civilian government, the Naval Governor ruled by issuing Executive Orders. These mandates were read out to the people at the Plaza de España in Hagåtña. The Naval Executive Orders of Guam were issued from 1898 until 1950, except for the World War II years, when the Japanese issued their own orders. Naval governors were appointed for two-year terms. They often ruled the island similar to
running a ship. Throughout naval rule, many of the orders made unreasonable demands upon the people, while others were intended with a voice of benevolence. Fortunately, for the CHamorus there were sympathetic governors, such as Willis Bradley who believed in the CHamoru people and their right to self government Click to read more about the Naval Executive Orders.
Gov. Willis Bradley proclaims a Bill of Rights for Guam (1930) / Photo courtesy of MARC
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