Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-28
WHERE SOUTH WINDS BLOW
C~oraI-TIpped Islands swept by Devas-
tatinE Hurricane and Tidal
Wave.

The experience Of the Paumotu Islands
with a tropical cyclone last month, Of
which news has just been received from
Tahiti, illustrates once more the rule that
heavy mortality is an indirect and not a
direct consequence of such storms. Ship
wreck, prostration Of buildings and other
damage to property are usually immediate
effects of the wind, says the New York
Tribune, but any considerable loss Of life
is almost invariably the result Of floods
and tidal waves caused by the hurricane.
Such was tue case at Galveston only a few
years ago, when something like 10000
deaths were reported within a day or two.
Even more appalling disasters OF the same
character have occurred on the shores OF
Bengal Bay after the visit OF an East
Indian typhoon to that part of the world.
That Hikuero and her sister islands
should suffer so severely from such a
meteorological disturbance is easily ex-
planned. They are nothing but vast coral
reefs. rising only te the level Of the sea
from unknown depths and covered with a
little sand. Had they originated from vol
canic action, as have most Of the Society
Islands, and the Marquesas and Samoan
groups, they would undoubtedly have stood
out of the water hundreds OF thousands
VI rect. Oul1 AutlI NOd6l6 Nbulu udNc DNNu
affected. A wave twenty or thirty feet
high might make a good deal OF trouble,
but it could not travel far inland. 1t is
doubtful IL the Paumotu Islands were more
than ten or fifteen feet above the level OF
high tide. No wonder that the great nav
igator Cook should think Dangerous an
appropriate name for them!
Large as was the destruction Of human
life from this cause last month. it prob
ably creates less of a sensation in the
metropolis Of the New World than a more
trifing sacrifice nearer home. 1t is M
exaggeration to say tina the Westheld ac'
eident a fortnight ago, which was attended
with scarcely more than a score OF deaths
produced a much greater shock In thi
community. The difference is partly one o
mental perspective. A hand held at tn
distance of only two feet from the ey,
covers a wider angle than a cathedral
mile away. So, 90. the Importance o
events depends upon their geographical
nearness. II Is natural and proper to fee
a livelier sympathy for the former thai
the latter. No one possessing the aver
age amount Of sensibility can view will
indifference the sudden extinction Of a thou
sand lives, but he might well be stir
more deeply by a sinrle death in his o.
immediate environment and sphere.
Among those Paumoru ISLANDERS who sur
vived last months visitation the mos
pressing need would be for food. At tn
present time summer weather prevails /
the southern hemisphere. Besides, th
scene OF the calamity lies within fifteen o
twenty degrees Of the equator. Clothin
is needed there only for decency. Eve
roofs could Ne dispensed with for week
without serious Inconvenience Yet in II
most genial OF climates man must eat.
Is not unlikely that all accumuiations
grain and fruit and nuts existing befor
the recent food we're swept away thereb!
Sickness and starvation. therefore. mi
possibly carry on many who were nS
drOwned