Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-07-19
FIJI ISLANDS.
War and CanpIbalism.--Frou
Among the Natives.

Among the Natives
The Honolulu Gazette publishes the
following account of recent dlfflcultles
IN Ovalau:
seThe great topic of conversation
here. and one which, to my mind, is OF
paramount Importance, IS the present
warlike aspect of the natlves-not, as
vet, toward the white population, but
among themselves At the back of
this island, and only few miles from
the beach. is powerful tribe known as
the Levoni. On the north end OF the
island reside another tribe, both being
tributary to Thakombau. These two
tribes appear to have had some differ
ences. and had fought, the particulars
of which were made known to the
King by a Chief named Cornelius.
Upon obtaining this information,
Thakombau sent over to the Levoni
men, requesting them to desist from
fighting. The reply was that they
would kill the Individual
who had informed him of
their doings, and who they soon found
out to be Cornelius. Ishould state
that ND to this time, the people of all
the tribes on Ovalau had professed
Christianity, and Cornelius was said to
be most exemplary and pious man,
well known to the missionaries as a ma
tive teacher Nevertheless, upon Cor
nelius making his appearance among
them, he was instantly dubbed, his
body mutilated and then inferred.
Two days after his intermentthe body
was exhumed, i'll accordance with an
old, native custom, and 'man-o oven
was constructed and heated with red
hot stones Into this the body of poor
Cornelius was thrust and baked like
pig. And thena barbarian feast was
held by these beastly cannibals, who de-
voured every portion ct the re-
mains, picking the bones clean, and re-
serving them as trophies. But
this only whetted their appetite
| for human flesh, and they
next made another onslaught on their
neiohbors at the north end of the island,
and have killed, [ understand, about
| thirty, all of whom it is believed have
been eaten. Maafu, who resides at
Iona, and is a Chief of great renown,
(the present owner Of the yacht Kari
! fa, J having some antipathy to Thakom
bau, takes the part of the Levonl
cannibals, and has supplied them with
powder ball and muskets. Meanwhile
Thackomb au, with the chivalry which
is characteristic of these powerful FIJI
| Chiefs, sent to the Levoni to tell them
to put up their war-fences, and build
their forts, as it was his intention, so
soon as he got his army together, to
come over to them and fight them.
His Majesty is now making vast pre-
parations for this assault. Almost every
| day from remote parts of his dominions,
war canoes of men are arriving at
Levuku, and taking up their residences
at the native villages and there must
| be now some thousands of them con
gregated here. Fighting, indeed, has
actually commenced. The Levoni are
said to be ensconced in an impregnable
fortification upon rock Yetit is also
said they believe they will be vanquish-
ed by Thakombau, who no doubt will
overcome them, and put to death all
the ring leaders, making prisoners of
of the rest, who, it is anticipated, Will
be sold to the planters. 1t must be re-
marked that these Fiji belligerents are
fully armed with muskets, many breach
leaders, of the newest pattern, and re-
volvers, besides their spears and clubs,
and are most excellent shots But they
are not drilled, and their warfare is
purely of the guerrilla kind.