The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-15
Head / hunters and Primitive
Tribesmen Numerous in
Unknown Areas

Head-hunters and primitive tribes
men IN a far-off and little known is
land domain, where the light of civil
lzatlon Is still dim despite 30 years
OF American rule. are some of the
strange fellow citizens whom Ameri-
cans will lose If Philippine independ-
ence eventually materializes.
Despite the fact that the United
states has possessed the islands since
the Spanish-American War, and the
TACT that modern cities have develop
ca ike Manila and that much pro-
gress has been made in some parts of
the islands, the remote hinterlands
are still some of the leaSt-known and
least-developed spots In the world.
The strange people who inhabit
them-head-hunters, Sulu tribesmen,
hait-naked bushmen - nevertheless
are full-fledged American citizens,
since they live under Uncle Sans
flag.
Below are interesting highlights on
This most remote outpost under the
nations flag.
When you speak of "the Philip
pine Islands," you really speak of
1000 islands that dot the Pacific from
the equator to within 300 miles OF
Japan-and nearly half of them are
SO small that they have no names.
There are only IL large islands. only
462 with an area bigger than one
square mile.
The islands have a population Of
100000. for the most part raciallv
similar, but divided into 43 ethnic
groups and speaking 81 different dia-
lects. There are eight main lam
euages, each spoken by at least half
million people.
X X *
The islands have an area of "a
4OO square miles, or nearly three
times the area Of the state of Ohio.
Foreigners there include 10000 Chi
neSe and 5000 Europeans, mostly
Spanish. There also are 5000 Ameri-
cans In the islands.
X X X
COST s2o,OOo,ooo
The United States paid Spain 500
100000 for the islands. after defeat
Ing Spain in 1898. Immediately. this
country inherited a native insurrec-
ton that cost the American people
and the lives of 4165 Of |
|lcers and enlisted men. Quelling it
look two years and $4,000 men.
X X X
Dr RufuS S. Tucker, economist. re-
,ently estimated that 'the total gain
rom the Philippines to all classes of
american citizens, whether in profits
rom commerce, investments or per-
onal service, is less than $4,000 900
year."
Instead of bringing additional in
ONE to the United States, the occu-
,atlon of the Philippines costs the
United States at least $4,000 900 a
ear. Philippine independence, say
Is advocates, will mean saving this
UNI and about S22,OO0,O0O now ex-
ended by American consumers on
'nllpplne products (not including
agar) which enjoy a protected po-
ltlon on the American market. Thus,
ne net loss to the United States on
ccount of the Philippines is figured
y them at $4,000, 900 a year. .
X X X
among Uncle Sans unusual SUBJ
cts on the island of Mindanao is the
lltan OF Sulu, a much-married man
I'm 50 wives-and no children. Head
the fierce Moro tribesmen, he
'mes from direct line of rulers
hose reign dates back to before the
'ys OF Magellans discovery.
X X X
once a Sulu, always a Sulu,"
owed true in the case of the Sui
MS niece, Princess Tarhata Hiram,
10 was student at the University
illinois several years ago. She was
typical bobbed-haired flapper and
pular at campus dances-but she
turned to the land of harems and
-year-old brides and went native"
X X X
FAD HUNTERS
aead-hunting and human sacri-
es are said to be still practiced in
note sections seldom penetrated by
lite men. The bolo is the native
apon, the usual attire is a pair of
lss earrings and a loin cloth, and
very, though officially outlawed,
Il persists.
X X y
Curious native superstitions
>und among the little black pyg-
IS and dwarf men found on some
the islands. They believe q mans
Il enters his body when he is born,
ough the soft spot on top of his
ld-and leaves it the same way at
lth.
X X X
he value of the Philippines from
military standpoint has long been
'ated. Naval officials insist it is
u that Americas naval bases there
retained. In the words of Admiral
airy Jones, 80 vital that consider
II abandonment tantamount to