Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-08-16

Man is still much eaten by his Eel.
low man. 1t is estimated that mil
lions OF savages on the upper Congo
are nyclcratc cannibals. Millions
more perhaps have the same taste in
New Guinea and certain groups of the
South Sea Islands. notably the Solo.
mons, the New IIcbridcs and New Ire.
land.
Why this should be so Is Il mystery
that has perplcxcd the mthr,Ululo.
Isists. David livingstone the first
white man to cross the Manycma
country in Central Africa. was rclnc.
tant TO believe that cannibalism was
not in some way associated with su
porstitious rites. But when he saw
the eagerness of the natives for whn.
was evidently their iavoritc food he
could no longer close his eyes to tht
simple fact-thc Congo man prcfcrrcd
human flesh TO any other kind OF
meat.
The extent OF the practice Is mdi
Gated in the evidence given before the
various Congo inquiry commissions
One native witness after another came
forward and laid on the table bundles
of twigs or leaves. each one repre-
scnting II human being that had bcrn
killed and eaten by the so.called sen.
tries employed by the Belgian minis.
tration to supervise the bringing in
of rubber
1t has even been asserted that
those tribes which do not indulge in
this practice arc inferior. mentally
and physically. to the cannibals. And
yet said Livingstone. speaking or
Tho In -. H..
race. | would back them To he su
perior in shape of hear and general
physique To the entire Anthropologi
cal Society
For many years travellers generally
omitted from their books mention Of
cannibalism. Such stories would
they fancied, be considered cXagger
ated If not positively untrue. But OF
late the explorers of all nationalities
have studied both people and practice
with scientific zeal
Sir Harry Johnston. Herbert Ward
Commandant Guy Burrows of the
Congo administration, DR.. Parkc
Capt s. l.. Hinde. also in King Leo
pold's service, and many others hayc
spent years among the Congo tribes
ana they give in matter-of-faCt way
details of the habits of the savages
which are almost incredible. In the
Bangala country not only are the bod
les of those slain in battle eaten. hui
the natives habituaily kill men foi
food. And about this there is much
curious system, such rs inclincs stu.
dents of anthropology to suspect some
hidden origin.
Thus the prisoner is not killed out
right. but is placed chin deep in n
pool of water with his head made fast
To log lest he drown. The victims
limbs. by the way, have been broken
three days previously. On the third
day the poor creature is taken out and
killed. This procedure, the fierce Ban
gala say, makes the flesh more ten
der
Capt S. L. Hindc, returning home
from Stanley Falls Oh the Congo, had
personal experience OF these people
On the down river trip TO Bona six
of the Bangala crew were put in
irons, charged with having eaten two
of their own companions The accus
ed were magnificent savages. over G
feet high and superbly proportional
Two Of the crew. it seemed. had fal
len i'll OH the voyage up. and were
allowed by the captain to take few
days rest. But when next rations
We're served they were missing. Til,
master of the steamer was told they
had died in the night and had been
buried ashore. And this seemed like
~ enough.
But the captain of the ship had his
doubts. He made sudden raid on
g LIT l.,
and discovered parts of the missing
men, smoke dried and cut up convcn
icn;ly in the lockers of the six gus
poets, now going to trial at Leopold
Vile.
In truth, the Darwinan theory Of
the survival of the fittcst is seen in
Central Africa in all its pitless anpli
cation. Even women, unable to keep
up with the march of warriors. arr
killed and cut up for food instead Of
being left behind AT the mercy Of
other tribes or wild beasts. Nor dc
the blacks of the Congo forest cncum.
her themselves with the sick or lame
who are similarly disposed of.
The cannibals in all cases eXtrac'
the teeth of their human prey for
necklaces and bracelets. The hair il
made into fishing lines ana nets: the
skin goes TO cover war drums and the
skulls become fashionable decorations
in the homes of tribal chiefs. whcsc
greatest glory is n long array OF these
trophies of the chase
Commander Guy Burrows. lately in
the service of the Congo Administra
ton. told the writer Il curious story OF
tho Batake people. Il body of whom he
led in punitive expedition against
| the Mabodc tribes.
II saw Il boy hit in the shoulder
by Il ball from an old muzzlc loader
he said. land yet. although seriously
hurt, he looked entirely unconccrned