El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-03

w ? ASHINGTON, D. c, August
w 3.-The head hunters Of
the Philippines are being
taught to 80 shopping. It is an i'm
portant means of civilization in the
mountain province of Luzon-a region
OF lofty peaks, dep gorges, and prime
val forests, inhabited by a quarter Of
a million people who eat their meat
raw, drink warm blood, and indulge,
or have done so until recently, an ap-
petite for wholesale homicide
As means of civilization (under
the direction Of our war Department.,
trade is being developed among these
wild folk. In the past if has been
necessary for them to make long jour
neys to the coast towns. to buy salt,
cloth, and other necessaries. But
within the last few months the gov
eminent stores, called exchanges"
have been started at various points,
and are kept supplied with everything
likely TO be required by the natives
The prices for goods being those cur
rent IN Manila, plus 20 per cent and
cost Of transportation The stores not
only sell, but also buy. They purchase
baskets, wood carvings, native Wea-
pons, ana articles of savage dress such
as can be sold in Manila as curios,
paying literally for them in cash.
One of the seven subprOvinces CON-
posing the Mountain Province is Ben
guet, the capital of which, BagViO-a
mile above sea level, and rs miles
due north of Manila-is the terminus
of one of the most wonderful roads in
the world, built by the natives with
the help of American engineering skill.
Extending all the way from BaguiO
TO the sea II is carved to a large ex-
tent out Of solid rock. skirting the
sides of steep mountains and cross
ing deep canyons in many places by
suspension bridges. For most of its
length it is wide enough for narrow
rrne I Il 2
miles comfortable five-roOm rest
houses have been erected for the bene-
fit Of travellers. Running at an ele-
vation of 5000 to 1000 feet, it passes I
through tropical sceneryOf unsurpassed 1
beauty, commands magnificent views,
and should in the near future become !
a route much patrOnized by tourists.
People of AtOe Last TO Come In.
The last Of the BeDguet IgOrots to 1
come under the jurisdiction OF the
United states government were the I
people Of AtOc- who occupied a re- /
narkabl natural stronghold bold 4
Deak $500 feet high, which juts out
rom the surrounding mountains its
1recipitous sides defying attack In
his rocky fortress dwelt the tribe,
small in numbers. but Warlike. work
nS the rice paddles in the valleys be-
Ow by day and seeking refuge in 1
heir eyre at night They preferred +,
independence to submission. Never I
-heless, being eventually overcome by /
force Of arms, they are now entirely
iocile. Generally speaking, the Ig-
)rots are peaceably inclined. They 1
are notably cOntented and cheerful,
Ind the women have voice in their
councils, often exercising a control
ng influence.
Strongest in numbers of all the saw
,ge peoples and among the most invet-
rate head hunters were the IfugaOs.
There are about 125. 200 of them. Bit
erly hostile to begin with, they have
become warm friends and admirers Of
ne Americans. and their services, vol
ntarily given, have been utilized on (
IN extensive scale in the building OF
Dads and trails. BY their own sug-
sestiOn. they submit to 4 labor tax
which demands 10 days work per an
lum from each able bodied man. Sew
raj companies of Ifugao cOnstabula-
Y have been organized. and do ad-
nirable service, keeping order among
he tribesmen-
Equally fierce and as vet untamed
o any great extent are the Kalingas
They were inveterate head hunters