The morning news., 1899-04-27
ARE PAGANS AND CANNlBALS.
PHILIPPINE ISLANDERS WHOM THE
UNITED STATES WILL ANNEX.

SavaGes Who Have for Centuries De-
fed Attempts nt Conquest-Fetish-
ism Rampant and BarbarOus
Practices CoDmOn-Part of What
Uncle Sam Gets in Return for His
$2O,OOO,OOO.
w. j. r., in New York Press.
The strangest of the Philippine races
are on the isolated island of Palawan,
nearly 800 miles west of the general Phil
ippine archipelago across the waters of
the Sulu sea. Palawan's physical char
acteristcs and the character Of the tribes
inhaSittng it resemble those of Borneo.
The most interesting people of this island
are the Vitsayos. a nomadic ohshoot of
the Visayas of Mndanao. Separated by
warfare from the parent group, intermar
riage with natives of Borneo and Papua
evolved a new people entirely. This race
has proved unconquerable, and for centu
ries has offered defiance 10 both civilized
and savage aggression, The most formi-
dable expeditions of the Spanish govern
ment have ended I'm disaster. their subju-
cation was given up as an impossible
task.
Their villages are along the western
slope of Palawan. They generally are
large. holding 1900 or 5000 inhabitants,
and are surrounded by high walls of sun
dried brick or moats twenty 70 thirty feet
deep. the bottom protected by long rows
of sharp iron spikes. The traveller is
greeted by chorus of barking, which
brings out horde of unkempt savages,
who gather round with loud shouts and
menacing spear thrusts that Danish all
desire for more than a passing acquaint-
ance with them.
They make no provision for the future,
IN spite Of the lesson taught by bitter eX-
perience but are voracious gluttons. Half
the year, when provisions are scarce, In
the dry season, most of them are nearly
starving, and are reduced 10 mere skele-
tons, yet when food is obtained they In
dulge in huge feasts, which last for days
and even weeks, until the food has given
out.
Unconventional Mode of Dining.
The food is placed in huge troughs in
The center of the village, guarded by
spearsmen. Many hours before the feast
a hungry, demonstrative mob of natives
gather. At a signal from the chief
tremendous rush Is made for the troughs,
the strong beating the weaker under foot
and devouring the choice morseis like
a pack of famished wolves. They eat
and brawl till the surfeited warriors. too
eorged to move, lie upon the ground IN
a comatose condition. Thus they are car
ried to their respective abodes by their
wives Among nearly oil these tribes cam
nibaiism Is prevalent, and head hunting
is generally recognized Sometimes pris-
oners of war are seized and held as slaves,
but more often they are eaten at the Ieast
prepared to celebrate their capture.
Tattooing is common among both sexes
and all tribes, while huge rings are worn
on the arms, ankles and around the neck
and body. These are made either of iron
or brass, according to which is easiest
10 secure. mined from the surrounding
mountains, which are remarkably prolific
in valuable minerals. There rs unmistak-
able evidences OF gold deposits, but ma
tive superstition regards this ore as being
under the influence of evil spirits, and 1t
As never permitted to be mined.
Their liking for music amounts almost
TO a passion. Their instruments are of
she crudest sort, various shaped drums
and tom-toms and curious one-stringed
guitars, which produce the most dolorous
sounds. 1t is not uncommon to see ma
tive play from morning TO night without
cessation before his dwelling for the en-
tertainuent OF a silent and intensely alb
EOrDed RalnGIlnR, NuO hSGD AiAit W AAAS
uncertain drumming of the guitar by a
constant rhythmic swapping OF the fin
gers. A trumpet belonging to one of the
guides OF my expedition was an object
of special envy, and, Notwithstanding the
scarcity of food in the country, several
chiefs Offered their entire stock of wives
and several head of cattle to boot for the
ownership of this precious hauble. We
disposed of It TO a hoary-headed patri-
arch, whose implicit faith In its magic
mowers was so great that he Immediately
called together his warriors and started
off on an expedition against distant
tribe who had dared his authority. But
alas for his faith in its power! In week
he returned with a number of his bravesl
warriors killed and his hereditary foes
still unconquered.
Each Man His Own God.
Their religion is the lowest form of pa.
gansm There are many powerful dieties
and each tribe and individual has its OF
his own local gods and spirits They are
represented by stone and wooden image
which adorn the temples, or else are placed
in the cleft of a tree or on top of some
high rock ia the forest to seize upon ant
devour the evil spirits wandering in space
Fetishism plays an important part In IN,
Ntsayo religion. The "ublars," or ma
tive priests are more powerful than III,
chiefs Before any project is undertaken
these crafty gentlemen are consulted u
order TO secure the favor OF the gods.
The person during the invocation mus
make liberal presents 70 the priests. whe
deposit them before the shrine Of the mar.
ucular diety who Is invoked. These ar,
ieft over night. ana II IN the morning the,
nave disappeared, " IS taken as q sign ol
the favor Of the gods The priests la,
claim 10 power I'm detecting crime, ana "A,
every disease or misfortune ls laid 20 ths
nl'ninauoh OF some eyil spirit possess
ing human body, Il Is a part Of men