Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-03-17
IN THE FIJI ISLANDS.
DIR. EDWORDS NOW AT NEW
AND STRANGE COUNTRY.
FIJI Islanders Peculiar People,
Typical Savages in Appearances.
Graphic Description OF
Island.

Graphic Description OF
Island.
Levuka, Fiji, March 6:-1hree
days from Samoa brought me to
new and strange country. 1t is
strange because it is different from
all other South Sea islands that /
nave visited. One would imagine
that these islands would have sim
liar characteristics, but they have
not. 1t was in the early morning
when the screws of the steamer
ceased tc revolve, and on getting
up at sunrise | looked out of the
porthote upon picture of most
vivid beauty. This is small.
lofty island, its high jagged rocks
being covered with green verdure
that looks like velvet. At the foot
OF the rocks nestles numberless
white and red houses, seeming to
look down on the vessel like SO
many gorgeous hued birds. On the
wharf were clustered a crowd Of
strange figures, unlike any of the ma
| tiyes yet seen. We are now out of
Polynesia and Paupan blood shows
In the people. These Fijians look
like typical savages. Their hair is
| like a stiff mop, sticking out above
| their faces; features approach the
negroid type, with fiat noses and
| thick lips, while their color range
from deep copper to actual black.
Their expression is wild and un-
| tanned and several of the more timid
passengers said they would never go
ashore among such people.
But these seeming savages are
| merely laborers employed hv the
steamship company to load and UNI
load cargoes. They come from all
the islands hereabout, and many of
| them are Solomon islanders. The
F1Jians are quiet and friendly, but
fifty, years ago this was the worst
cannibal islands in the world. Then
it was unsafe to go ashore: three
years ago an English lady travelled
all through the interior of the ISL
and with nobody but native guide
for companion. There is not even
shadow of risk to the most nerv-
Gus travelOr now.
Fiji appears sinister and forbid
ding even in it's physical charac-
teristics, and her people carry out
the idea. In this it is different from
comic opera Tonga, and sweet
Samoa. To the active imagination
the black and ragged peaks of the
| hills OF Fiji which encircle the bay
OF Suva, suggest the black past of
the islands early youth when human
mesh was considered delicacy for,
a. banquet. Fiji is beautiful but it
is sort of devilish beauty which
attracts and repels at the same time.
One cannot help a shudder as he
sees these savage eyed islanders
passing among daintily dressed wo-
men on the streets, but it is all in
appearances.
The fascination of Fiji is well
known to all who have spent even a
week among these great populous
islands, so unlike the dreamy little
nests of sun and solitude which
make up the other lesser groups of
the island world. 1t is said that
out of the $4,000 inhabitants of
the Fiji islands $1,000 are natives.
In addition to these are numerous
Solomon islanders, their black skins
and kinky hair making one think
them the true Africans; there are
also many lndians-nOt our Ameri-
can Indians but the inhabitants OF
India who have been brought there
by the English.
1t is said that the Indians are con-
stantly increasing while the native
tIJians are decreasing. 1t seems a
pity that this brawny race should
give way. The. Fijians are splen-
didly built, both men and women,
and their appearance gives one the
impression of the great force of the
primative race of man. 1t is an
other evidence of the encroach-
ment of the white man. Wherever
the white man gees the natives
give way. 1t is said by those who
are over egotistical that it is be-
cause of the superiority of the white
race, but the fact is it is because of
the white mans vices.
The first object of interest which
attracts the eye on coming here is
the armed cOnstabulary, smartly
dressed with bright blue tunics,
helmet on the head, but with a.
sulu of white reaching half way
to their knees. Their legs and feet
are bare, making most incongru-
GUS appearance with their upper
dressing. These constables or po-
licemen are all natives, and they
are chiefly ornamental. for there
is little violation of the law on these
islands. Here, as on other islands,
the most interesting part Is in the
interior, for at the seaport towns.
the influence of the white denom-
ination is felt too strongly.