Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-20
South Sea
Islanders Who
Like War

THE tdyic peace OF many Southern Pacific island Ia
been shattered by the clash of arms between the
j United States and Japan but the natives OF New
ing their tight little island
To the residents of New Guinea-the worlds second
largest sand=the fierce scrap between the United Ma
tons and the Japs just dversonary sdeshow
compared with their own battles
When it comes to warfare these aborigines in
by themselves There always few dozen
going all this This OF constant
armed conflict between the tribes
for centuries and the OF anthropoogists that
it will keep right going
often tribes but peace pacts
up. This truce other purpose
than to provide excuse to rest up and get ready for the
next tussle and every defeat of ven
geance
The 100000 square miles Of territory that make up
New Guinea occupied by estimated 100000 natives
the majority of whom head-hunters OF the most
boodthirsty kind
These natives show an amazing contrast in appearance
customs and language Some black the negroes
of Africa Others are no darker than weltanned white
They range height sx-foot giants TO dwarf
like pygmies But despite these contrasts they have
thing love OF battle which they indulge
whenever they get chance
War being everyday matter. every town village
is sort of barrcaded by wall of stones and in
terlaced tree branches The within the commun
ties are round-shaped to further serve as forts
But despite all this fighting, Pearl Harbor sabs the
back aren't part of their war code as 1t is Of some So
called more civilized people When tribe decided 10 20
TO it notifies it's intended victims the
day and the time that the assault is going TO begin
Each attack is preceded by parade toward the village
that the scheduled assault list The
up their Sunday best They put bits mother Of.
pearl wear strings small shells about their wrist u
throats and legs encirce their waists with ornaments
and have their hair and shoulders bedecked with bright
colored feathers.
Their weapons are crude and consist Of and ar
and spears For defense many of the
carry wooden shields which gaiy decorated with clay
and herbal dyes Further protection given them by the
wide belts of bark that they around the waist These
stretch from under the To the hips. AS defense
against skulcrackng head blows these warriors
cut their hair and packed about the head hcy
possible.
When the parade starts, the fighting
out first closely followed by the young the
tribe The job of the girls to sing encouragement to
the fighters and to the extra supplies Of weapons
foods. and medicine.
The usually level patch ground equal
y distant between the two warning villages The first army
the sits down and waits for the other to put
appearance
When the opponent arrives the two forces take up
their positions just beyond range and for
just yell and shout at another while the
men taun and inspire their respective sides TO wade INTO
the fight Then with side another surgcs
forward and the battle is
The shield bearers advance first followed by a line
of bowmen. third contingent armed with spears,
and clubs makes thanking attack in order to form
pncer movement
If one side is licked it retreats TO its village where
again 1t takes up fighting positions behind the walls If
the vicors drive their opponents out Of the village
and the hills, they then loot the community, collect
ing all the ready food shells pigs chickens ramcnt and
weapons that they find.
After the victorious tribe Tugs off this booty the
quished return TO the smoking ruins of their village to
begin rebuilding repantng and making weapons
a raid of vengeance which will the minute they
get everything ready.
Although warfare OF this kind has been going "a
Guinea for centurts. single tribe has gained any
considerable advantage the others. None seems
strong enough TO stay top of the heap for over
two.
Anthropologists immediate hope for the end OF
these wars the New Guinea native is still the
age and refuses TO out of it despite
vilized urging and aid Anyway, this aborigne too
busy fighting battles to be surprised by the Jap
war raging him. He just brushes it aside and
leaps back. into his fray.