Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-04-03

the whales in that region. A few
boats would enable them to get from
place to place easily in summer, at
which time they are now either con-
fined to a small radius around their
tents or compelled to make the ter
rible journey overland-with their
tents on their backs, For the sick, a
few small frame houses, dry and
warm, with clean bedding and plenty
of warm water and soap, would be a
great blessing. OF medicines these
natives have none whatever, and the
comforts of their dwellings, though
sufficient in health, are altogether in
adequate in illness. Rheumatism and
ophthalmia are their most trouble
some ailments. They are also subject
to a severe and often fatal influenza,
which seems largely due to germs
brought by ships. In fact the natives
say that as soon as they see ship
they begin to cough-a fine speci-
men of Esquimau hvperbole.
There is hardly a people on earth
that is so interesting from the stand
point of anthropology as this little
northernmost tribe of men. They are
probably the only remaining pure
blooded specimens of the Esquimau
race-so anomalous in many respects
in its habitat along the arctic shores.
far from any other human beings; the
most unfavorable surroundings; it's
long heads, contrasted with the broad
heads of Indians and Mongolians,
while yet the cast of countenance is
decidedly Monaghan; it's musical gift,
50 decidedly European, as contrasted
with the music of many races supposed
to stand much higher; its highly de
veloped social instanct, while yet the
altruistic instanct seems feeble.
Whence came they? Who are their
nearest kin? 1t is generally assumed,
of course. that they came from Asia
acquired their arctic habits in Alaska
and then spread eastward to the Amer
lean archipelago and TO Greenland at
a comparatively recent period. The
fact that the barren ground bear,
known to the Alaskan natives by the
name of aglak, is also known to our
northern tribe under the name aglah-
soa, a fabulous animal said to fight
western origin, were it not known that
there has been recent communication
between Smiths Sound and Baffin
Land.
Certain resemblances have been
pointed out between the Esquimaus
and the prehistoric Europeans, and It
has been suggested that the latter
may have found their way to Green
land by the former hand connection
winch has to be assumed to explain
the resemblance in fauna and flora.
This theory, of course, would disre-
gard the well authenticated statement
that the early Norsmen found main
to be explained why there are no
Esquimau remains in Iceland. If
one cared to theorize on accidental re-
semblances of words, he would find a
rich field in comparing the Esquimau
with Aryan languages. Here are a
few examples: Ingneng (fire). Lotin
|
dat; tamma (this), Russian tam
(there). But these are mere curiosi-
ties, for genetic relation is utterly
inconceivable.
II these interesting questions are to
be solved ii is high time that an en-
deavor be made to preserve the living
material on which alone the observa-
lions can be made. AS already noted,
this northernmost Esquimau tribe is
practically the only one as yet unal
Logged with white blood. The only
evidence to the contrary that was
able to notice were two small half
breed children and one old woman.
Atuhsu, at Cape York, whose one re-
naming eye was of unmistakable blu
ish gray. The protracted stay of a
ship near the native settlements. in
volving almost daily contact between
sailors and natives, is to be deprecated.
No regulations in this respect can be
under government protection. At pres
ent they are literally anarchists, bav-
ing no government whatever Though
the whole of Greenland is generally re-
garded as Danish possession, yet the
Danes disclaim any control north of
latitude IA. The natives themselves
have not the slightest notion that they
have a prior claim on the land or it's
products The United States Govern
ment has in recent years shown de-
cided interest in the cause of science,
and it seems not altogether absurd to
imagine that it might for scientific
and humanitarian purposes take the
land on both sides of Smiths Sound
under its control.
Great Britain and Denmark would
have to be consulted. but neither
would object; in fact, / was told that
the Danish government would be only |
too glad if Greenland were taken off |
it's hands. For the sake of the natives |
it is to be hoped that no mineral
wealth will ever be discovered north |
of Cape York. The care of the natives |
ought to be intrusted to a scientific |
institution, not to a commercial com
pany. whose object would be merely |
to fleece them. In order to remain |
valuable subjects for study, as well as |