The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-08-02
TUE cEpEp TERRITORY.

TUE CEpEp TERRITORY
The region in dispute was tract irregu.
larly bounded on the west and south by the
convolutions OF the Mekong. II comprises
the northern states Of the Laos group, the
chief Of which is Luang Phrabang. The
Shans and the Laos are one and the same
people and both are closely akin to the Sia-
mese. OF this race there are two main di-
visions, the white Paunch" and the
BLACK Paunch," Laos, so called from the
habit Of tattooing black pattern on he
stomach. They are historical people who
were formerly in IN ancient and powerful
kingdom. whose capital, Vinh. Khianh, was
taken and destroyed by the Siamese about
the year ls2s. Since then they have been
subject TO Siam, and are governed by the
mandarins appointed by the Siamese gov
ernmcnt and by khiao, or hereditary
princes.
The Laos are a mixed race, the original
race having emigrated into the country and
intermarried with its aborigines, the Khss.
They have also mingled with the .Boloven.,
Thehs, Redehs and Sin, and the resulting
people present every type of Mongolan.
Those who have preserved the purity ofthe
original blood IN any degree are, however,
easily distinguished from the mixed lower
classes by their high cheek bones, email
fiat nose, obliQue eyes, wide mouth, long,
black hair, sparse beard. They are n semi.
civilized people, settled in small towns and
villages, and engaged chiefly in agriculture.
Next TO agriculture the manufacture of
cheap silk and, cotton fabrics is their chief
employment They have long established
trading relations with China, Burmah and
Cambodia, with which countries their ivory.
gold dust, tin, gums, etc, are bartered for
opium, hardware and porcelain.
Buddhism is their religion, or form OF
1t. More, perhaps than to Buddha their
worship is directed by various genii, such
a 9 he wood xuh hnll H..
jungle, the fear demons, who busy them
selves with frightening folks by means OF
horrid shapes or sounds, the malignant
demons. who cause all manner of diseases
and the tutelary demons, or guardian angels
who give them protection from i'll. To
on which are offered wax tapers, rte,
sandaiwood and copious libations of arrack.
Within the last few years some yery
fourishing missions have been established
in the territory by the American Presby-
terian church.,
Many travellers have expressed favorabl.
opinions Of the people Of Laos. saying that
they are peaceful, patient, sober and honest
In these respects they resemble closely the
Siamese They are said, too, to have an
especial horror Of stealing and one of their
kings is said to have had thieves boiled in
oil Slavery is an institution to which they
are devoted, Now end then the mandarns
organize regular expeditions against the
wild tribes Just as The Arabs do in Africa
and whole villages are taken into captivity.
But of these captives. as of the slaves In
Siam proper, 1t may at least be said that
they are treated kindly.
The wages OF the common laborer in Laos
range from &3 to IS per month. II is dan.
gerous TO know too much in Laos. Skilled
mechanical work is done by men drafted by
the government or by prisoners These
drafted men get very little for their servic >
and perhaps receive 10 rupees for a. years
labor.