Connecticut western news., 1871-07-14
War and Cannibalism.

The Honolulu Gazette publishes the following account of recent difficulties in Ovalau "The great topic of con- versation here, and one which, to my mind, is of paramount importance, is the present warlike aspect of the natives not, as yet, toward the white popula- tion, but among themselves At the back of this island, and only few miles from the beach, is a 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 differences, and had fought, the particu- lars of which were made known to the King by Chef named Cornelius. Upon obtaining this information, Thak- ombau sent over to the Levoni men, re- questing 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. should state that up to this time, the people of all the tribes on Ovalau had professed Christi anity, and Cornelius was said to be a most exemplary and pious man, we'll known to the missionaries as a native teacher. Nevertheless, upon Cornelius making his appearance among them, he was instantly clubbed, his body mutilat- ed and then inferred. Two days after his interment the body was exhumed, in accordance with an old, native custom, and "man-oven was constructed and heated with red-hot stones Into this the body of poor Cornelius was thrust and baked like pig. And then bar hor hn1 hr, 1x, cannibals, who devoured every portion and preserving them as trophies. But this only whetted their appetite for human flesh, and they next made another North end of the island, and have killed, I understand, about thirty, all of whom it is believed have been eaten. Maafu, who resides at Loma, and is Chief of great renown, (the present owner of the yacht XarYd,) having some antipathy to Thakombau, takes the spirit, it is said, of the Levoni sannibals, and has SUD- piled them with powder, ball and mus kets. Meanwhile Thakombau, 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 thelr forts, as 1t was his 1nten. tion, so soon as he got his army together, to come over to them and fight them
 His Majesty is now making vast prepara- tions for the assault. Almost every day from remote parts of his dominions, war canoes full of fighting men are arriving at Levuka, and taking up their residences at the native villages and there must be now some thousands of them congre- gated here. Fighting, indeed, has actually commenced. The Levoni are said to be ensconced in an impregnable fortifca- ton, upon rock. Yet it is also said they believe they will be vanquished by Thakombau, who, no doubt, will over. come them, and put to death all the ring-leaders, making prisoners of the rest, who, it is anticipated, will be sold to the planters, It must be remarked that these Fiji belligerents are fully armed with muskets (many breech-load. CTS of the newest pattern) and revolvers, besides their clubs and spears, and are most excellent shots. But they are not drilled, and their warefare is purely ot the guerilla kind.