Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-19
CANNIBALS CEDED BY SPAIN
Picturesque Freaks Unloaded on Uncle Sam
for Price
LIVE IN THE WILOS OF MINDANA0
Marked Preference for Chinnmnn ou
Tonst-pcrsonnI Appearance and
Observation-Disclosures Mar
ringc Ceremonies.

Among the many presumable benefits
transferred to the people of the United
States by the ratification of the treaty of
Paris, there is certainly the questionable one
/ of numbering among several millions OF new
citizens some 1000 cannibals residing prin-
cipally in the northeastern provinces of sun
igas and Blsby, in the island Of Mindanao.
This fact, however, need not seriously de-
ter prospective settlers starting out to grow
up with the new country for humiiatinG
though 1t may be to our pride as a race, yet
1t is reassuring to learn that the Philippine
cannibal, like his savage cousins of the north
coast of Australia and New Guinea, does
not fully appreciate the white man as a
dish. Indeed, it is asserted, that he in
fnitely prefers a nice, young, rice-fed Chin
aman, only partaking of white man when
nothing better in the way of big game is to
be bagged-the white mans flesh being too
tough and too salt for his fastidious taste.
In the island of Mindanao the cannibas
belong chiefly to the two tribes Of the Mono
los and Mandayas inhabitng the valleys of
the Agusan and Salny rivers respectively
country which is reported to be rich in
gold, quicksilver and other metals and es-
pecialy suitable for the raising of coffee
and cocoa plantations.
Personal Appearance.
These cannibal tribes of the Monolos and
Mandayas are of Biscayan origin, a race of
moderate height, with olive compilations,
broad noses, full lips and coarse. straight,
nearly black hair. They speak dialect of
language called Tagaoj, which seems to
be itself a dialect Of some other language
tnnpht n bp nublip SphDp1s- Of bn
United States.
In disposition the Monolos, in particular,
are a fierce, warlike people. ever on the
lookout for a pretext to stir up trouble
with their neighbors, making slaves of their
numerous Captives and occasionally, when
pig Is scarce a dinner off their slaves. AS
evidence of their martial spirit there is a
custom eXtant among them of comforting
titles of distinction upon those warriors
who have killed sixty of their enemies-a
custom which, strange as 1t may seem to
the Monolos, will probably be regarded by
Uncle Sam as too much of an anomaly to be
permitted to exist in any part of his domin-
ions.
To those who contemplate visiting the
Agusan country in the course of the next
two or three years, 1t may be interesting
as well as instructive, to be made aware of
inc ldCI lnaI tne stranger can tell by tne
manner Of his reception whether or no he
is likely to become the chief dish of a feast
II his welcome is cold, and he Is Chu7--
lshy urged to go on his way by the flight
OF an arrow let Him not complain of the
Monolos' inhospitality, for that is the worst
that may come to him; but If on the other
hand he is effusively greeted. let him be-
ware as he is surely destined for an I'm
provised oven.
And in the latter event the procedure is
unmistakable. The stranger is cordially
invited to sit the same mat with the
chief and paid the greatest Difference. He
is then served with dinner composed of
such seasonable delacacies as the Monoo
cooks can produce-not hint being given,
not word being said about anything un-
pleasant taking place subsequently,; after
which, with many expressions of gratifica-
tion at his unexpected visit, he is con-
Quoted by the chief in person to a new hut
in which to pass the night.
Then, as the Irishman would say, begins
the "divilment." Once securely inside and