Late Colonial History

Page 60

and Chamorros,” and explained the character of each “tribe” as follows.25 The Chamorros living in Saipan were a majority of the Chamorros in the South Sea Islands, and their appearance and way of life was comparatively advanced because of their early contact with Europeans. Their gentle and industrious character as well as their European-style clothes, diet and dwelling resulted from their Christianization and intermarriage with Europeans. Contrary to the Chamorros, Kanakas were described as more uncivilized, gentle and lively people. However, they emphasized that they were not industrious because of the tropical weather. In later years Japanese government began to mention that some changes appeared in local people to emphasize the results of its administration. As we have seen, the PMC of the League of Nations questioned Japan’s compliance with the Covenant of the League of Nations. Japan reported making progress in the following four areas.26 First was a sign of development of mental ability and technical skill of children who attended Japanese public school. Their ability was said to be almost comparable to Japanese children and expected to be civilized “to a certain extent” by Japanese education. Second was local people came to have the idea of ownership for coconut trees or land. Japan saw local people still had primitive economy except the Chamorros, but Japanese economical development stimulated their idea of ownership. Third was the potential power of the chief still in local society. Their powers seemed to be weakened, as the Germans curtailed traditional chiefly power and Japan introduced village officials system into local society. However, Japan was cautious of traditional chiefs’ powers as a possible disruption to the Japanese administration. Fourth, almost all local people could speak Japanese as the result of Japanese education. Japan emphasized repeatedly that local people appreciated the convenience of speaking Japanese as common language. As we will see later, this perception was different in the field of education. In conclusion, Japanese government insisted on that all these changes 25

Japanese Government, Annual Report to the League of Nations on the Administration of the South Sea Islands for the year 1923-1938 (Japanese Government: Tokyo, 1923-1938); South Seas Government, Nanyogunto Yoran (Annual Handbook of the South Sea Islands)(South Seas Government: Tokyo,1932-1943). The Annual Report to the League of Nations had a section of “Race and Manner” or “Race” to explain local people.

26

Imaizumi, “Moral and Material Well-being of Natives” in Japanese Mandated Micronesia,”pp. 39-41, pp.48-55.

52 ・ Marianas History Conference 2012


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