Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-16
LITTLE BLACK PEOPLE
THE ABoRIGINEs OF THE PHILIP
PINE ISLANDS.
A Report on the Characteristics of the
Different Peoples of the
Archipelago.

The Secretary OF War has received re-
port from Mr.. D. P. Barrows. chief Of the
bureau of non-C Christian tribes of the Phil
ippInes on the ethnology of the islands, in
which he says that while the great ma
jorty of the population is unquestionably
of Malayan origin, the aboriginal race of
the archipelago Is the dwarf black people
known as "Negritos' or little negroes. He
says the people Of this race are almost the
smallest on the globe and are true savages
1t WAS thought that their numbers were
dwindling and that not more than 10000
remained in the islands, but inquiry shows
not less than 1000 Of these dwarfs. Some
OF them average four feet in height. but
the greater number are under three feet
They feed upon roots and small game, and
do not live in villages, but roam through
the mountains in small groups of a few
families each. They are timid and fearful
of approach. and yet to a certain extent
are feared by the more civilized tribes. Mr..
Barrows says:
Speculation on Their Past.
THE number of problems presented to the
ethnologist by these little blacks is almost
bewildering. What place have they in the
evolution of man? Their identity with the
sakais of the Malay peninsula and the
Mincopies of the Andaman Island Is al
li.OSl CcltdlH, Dul WHdt ID tneli icidtioh "
those other pigmies-the dohchocephalic
dwarfs of central Africa7 And further. what
may be their connection with the true
negro race of MalaneSia, almost contiguous
to them? The geographic distribution of the
Negritos is such that we must conclude that
at one time they were practically the sole
possessors of the Philippine archipelago;
and unquestionably the first to arrive and to
dispute their possession of the soil and to
drive them into the mountainous interiors
which they now occupy were the tribes Of
primitive Malayans, which still constitute
the most considerable element of the nom
Christian population Of the islands"
In contrast to the dwarfs are the tribes
in the vicinity of the Gulf Of Davao and
Mount Apo in eastern Mindanao They are
very tall with hair wavy rather than
straight. a narrow and prominent nose and
color of skin approaching that OF the
POlynesians, and according to Mr.. Barrows,
they are another non-Malayan element. He
describes the seven Christian tribes, the
Mohammedan Malays and other Malayan
peoples, and says:
The Americans Attempt.
"Of such diverse and varied elements.
then, is the population of the Philippines
composed OF the mixtures with Chinese
and European blood 1t is unnecessary to
speak further here. The variety of problems
they present Is equally great for the eth
nologist and the statesman. Since the first
arrival Of the Portuguese in eastern waters
the mind OF the Malay has appeared to the
European closed book. Both races
have ever misunderstood and mistrusted
each other. Out of mutual ignorance and
fear have followed hatred. oppression and
retaliation. In the establishment of order in
these Islands this government Is attempt
ing to rear new standard Of relationship
between the white man and the Malay. The
success of this effort, full Of possibilities
for the future Of life and ipt iy,t 10
far east. Will depend in large measure on
our correct understanding and scientific
grasp of the peoples whose problems we
are facing"
He opposes very strongly the application
or the Indian reservation scheme to the
Maays and says that his inquiries into the
treatment of the Indians in this country
have satisfied him that, in spite of excellent
Intentions the policy has not brought forth
satisfactory results. and in thousand cases
has not done Justice to the Indian.