FORTY-NINE years ago, a 10-month-old weekly newspaper, Marianas Variety, reported about the upcoming political status talks between the representatives of the U.S. president and the NMI which was then part of the U.S.-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The negotiations would result in the 1975 Covenant to establish the CNMI in political union with the U.S.
On MV’s Dec 8, 1972 front-page, one of the staff writers noted that during “each political campaign in the Marianas we hear from various candidates the vociferous cry — ‘We want to be Americans! We welcome the Americans! Have complete faith in the Americans! Let us be Americans!’ For the most part, this must be a very soul-subduing ululation for those who are fed up with the status…quo and are anxiously awaiting for the advent of a presumably new and affluent modus vivendi — total Americanization of the Marianas.”
The writer added, “The outcome of the last election could be construed as being indicative that the majority [of] the people on Saipan desire to be Americanized at whatever cost. This line of thinking if it bears fruit might prove to be disastrous, however.” Americanization, the writer added, would mean militarization of the Marianas. He was certain about it.
Which reminds me of what a biographer and admirer of the Russian Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky considered as “proof” of his “farsightedness”: none of his predictions have come true yet.
On page 3 of MV’s Dec. 8. 1972 edition was a list of the most recent police reports:
“At 1:56 p.m., [M.R.] age 27 of Capital Hill, called police and [said] that a man needed police assistance near [the] former Micro Hut Bar. [A police patrolman] reported that he transported one victim to the hospital for treatment. The man suffered…laceration on the lips and cut on the eyes.
“[F.W.] called police and reported that his house was burglarized. Police rushed to the scene and found out that $50.00 [worth over $330 today] was stolen.
“[C.T.T.], 21, of Chalan Kiya reported to the police that his house was burglarized. The missing items were one box of Tide, some canned food, some meat and chickens.”
Hopwood school’s vocational room #3 was also burglarized. It was not mentioned if any items were stolen.
In other police news:
Mrs. A.E. reported that she and her husband found out that one radio worth $136.00 [worth about $900 today] and some cartridges were stolen from their car while they were attending a meeting at the Sisters’ Convent.
At 10 a.m., L.F.C. reported that someone had stolen his five pigs at his farm in Finasisu.
At 11:10 p.m., Mrs. M. called police and reported that someone was throwing rocks at her house. No arrests were made.
At 2:20 a.m., a patrolman reported that on the previous day, the Apollo 11 Bar was not closed until 2:31 a.m.
At 2:26 a.m., highway patrolmen arrested I.D., 22, S.A.F., 25, and M.K, 26, for drunken and disorderly conduct.
At 6:20 a.m., a patrolman reported that Room #10 at Hopwood was open and the louvers were broken.
P.F. called police and reported that his store was burglarized.
F.C. reported that someone came to his farm and destroyed his banana trees.
And what was keeping the court busy at the time? Traffic citations.
Driving a vehicle without adequate headlights. Driving a motorcycle exceeding the speed limit of — wait for it — 25 mph. Operating a motorcycle without a driver’s license. Driving a vehicle on public highway recklessly with wanton disregard for the lives and safety of members of the public. Following too closely another vehicle.
And then there’s the good ol’ news story and/or opinion piece about the need for yet another government economic/development plan.
Tourism, according to a front-page editorial, “offers the best prospect for the economic development of Saipan…. We need tourism development plans…. The study resulting in a plan should answer the following questions: How can development of the [tourism] industry best fit the interest of the [Marianas] District? How will the people of the District benefit from and be able to participate in the development of tourism? How can the desired goals and objectives for tourism development be implemented?”
If they sound familiar it’s because they’re the same questions asked — and answered — by the (so) many plans and studies conducted by the NMI since — wait for it — ever since.
Send feedback to editor@mvariety.com
An MV filler cartoon, Dec. 1972.
