Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-09
WITH NEW GUINEA SAVAGES
NATIVES STILL LIVING IN THE
STONE AGE.
Strange Experiences Of British Nat
uralists Among the Papuans
Camp in Arfak Mountains.

From the Pail Mall 0axette.
After two years among the savages in
Dutch New Guinea. Mr.. Pratt. q British
naturalist, and his two sons have re-
turned to Samarang, Java, with strange
experiences to tell.
Mr.. Pratt is a seasoned explorer of
fifty-five years. His travels have ex-
tended over wide territories in China,
Tibet. South America and Asia Minor.
He had four years In the British and
Dutch sections of New Guinea, and then
took a vacation in Great Britain.
Two years ago he came out with his
two sons and landed at Doreh, in Geel-
wink bay, where missionaries have been
stationed for over fifty years. Behind
Doreh stretch the Arfak mountains. with
two large lakes lying at a height of eight
thousand feet above the sea. There the
naturalists took up their quarters, in the
midst Of savage Papuans, whose char
acteristics they soon discovered were I'M
trustworthiness and thirst for blood.
They were right on the extreme fringe
Of the Dutch authority. so had to look
after themselves to the utmost. They
found the savages far below the African
natives. without knowledge or under
standing Of the most elementary vir-
tues-even kindness or thankfulness.
partly by agriculture, but their habits
were loathsome.
Guarded by Fierce Watch Dog.
II was largely due to his ability to
keep his temper. even under provocation.
that Mr.. Pratt was able to manage them.
They fancied that the traveller must have
supernatural powers to control his an
ger, and in addition to that they were
notified by the Dutch authorities that
any harm to the naturalists would meet
with prompt vengeance.
At night the tent Of the explorers was
guarded by fierce watch dog, Of which
the natives were much afraid. In the
the one of the party left on guard, while
the others explored In company tnvaria-
bly,. In this way they have gathered
large collections Of birds, Insects and
plants.
Their tent was pitched in an exposed
position far from any native dwellings,
and into those huts they never went I'M
less 1t became necessary, and then never
alone. For food they had timed provi-
sions. plantains and potatoes, but so
scanty range Of diet did not affect them.
Besides. the climate around the lakes
was glorious.
Two thousand feet higher up the noun
tains, 1t was bitterly cold at night, but
the natives could stand it without any
clothing at all. At night they have
process Of providing themselves with fire.
They carry on scarcely any trade, and
live mainly on plantains and potatoes.
the latter having been introduced by
missionaries In 1855.
A Sight Of the Snowy Mountains.
Perpetual warfare is waged among
the tribes. for treachery is constant
and every death leads to blood ven.
geance. The naturalists were often
goaded to near the danger point Of
shooting. but restrained themselves,
and SO won to some extent the conf
dence of the savages. Head hunting is
a custom Of the land. and not merely
are villages. but also houses at war
against houses. The result is that fear
and treachery stalk like twin demons
through the island. Women never go
out except under armed masculine
guard. They do the work in the fields
with man guarding them with his ma
tive weapons.
European and Chinese traders who
have attempted to treat the savagcs
with their own methods have rued tho
day. for vengeance has fallen swiftly
In the night. 1t is country where
every rustic may mean the approach Of
death-bearing treachery. Even their
warfare Is steaithy murder. not open
fighting In which bravery is required.
After year at the lakes the travel
ers went to Humboldt bay. where the
mountain natives are still in the stone
age and had never seen any European.
They live miserably on wild plants, in
sects and grubs, with an occasional
wild pig as a delicacy.
In the distance they sighted the stand
ing problem of New Guinea-the Snowy
mountains. Certain scientists have
scoffed at the title. maintaining that
in that latitude there are no snow
mountains, and what has been seen is
the reflection Of light from white rocks
on the mountain tops. Mr.. Pratt is
convinced, however, that they are veri-
table snow caps. -. H.
The sons are staying for three or
four months in Schouten Island, where
there IL a military post. Then they
are going home to England with their
father for a rest before returning 70
New Guinea to carry their explorations
still further into the unknown recesse5
Of savage regions. -