The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-04-27
Describes
New Guinea
Natives
-
u. S. Soldier Gives
Sidelights of Life
In Southwest Pacific.
ARE WARM FRIENDS OF
AMERICAN DOUGHBOYS

ARE WARM FRIENDS OF
AMERICAN DOUGHBOYS
Staff Sergeant Kenneth Schooley,
who has written q number of fine
articles for this newspaper, sends
one Of his best in that which fol-
lows. Sgt Schooley was evidently
in hospital when he wrote this
article, believed to- be in Australia.
In note to the editor he saws.
There is more time to write here
In the hospital although it is diff
ficult to find news you might be
interested in. None of the fellows
from. the outfit have written, SO /
have no idea what is going on up
there but when / get a letter
from them, I'll pass on the in
formation right away. In the mean
time here is another article | prom
iSed YOU
The article gives an interesting
description of New Guinea natives
and their mode Of life II follows:
To the majority Of civilized peo-
pies, the natives Of New Guinea are
savages OF the most primitive type
and thought to be completely ig-
norant, but this impression is far
from fact in many respects. 1t is
true, however, that these aborigines
have been headhunters until the
past few years, and some tribes still
practice that custom, in the more
remote sectors of the island. Their
mode Of living is extremely simple,
with few of the complicated prob
lens common to civilization as we
know it. They have no monetary
system Of their own, other than
bartering. Each article Of trade
goods has an established value in
other items, that is recognized by
most Of the tribes and strictly adj
hered to.
My source Of information for the
following descriptions is one partie-
ular village at Soputa, Papua, and
these facts are not taken from books
or othar&ndividuals. but from actual
experience, living IN close proximi-
" 10 the village.
The first natives encountered were
the men, employed by the Austral-
ian government, to carry army
equipment to and wounded men
from the battle areas. They are
about five and half feet tall as
rule, and weigh approximately 1870
pounds, but are exceedingly pow
erful, despite their small stature,
and are tireless workers. Once
load is placed on their shoulders,
they will carry it great distances
without rest. For instance, one med
ical chest, weighing 1870 pounds, was
carried by a single man for two
miles with but one short stop for
rest.
The services of these "Fuzzie Wuz-
zie" angels was indispensable, and
otherwise almost impossible tasks
were accomplished with their aid. |
Wounded men were treated like
gods, and no effort was too great
to make them comfortable. Over
the toughest terrain, the filters
moved as if floating on air, while
the patient was well covered from |
rain and sun, and the insects were
constantly kept from his face and
other exposed parts. Any man who
has been carried out by natives will
swear to the veracity of this state
ment, and no praise is too great for
the ''little black beggars,' as they
are fondly called by many of the
Aussies. A kind word, a cigarette,
Or some small factor of that nature,
IS sufficient to obtain the undying
devotion of a native, and you are
Taubida", or BOSNIAN" from then
On. Break his faith, though, or
arouse his dislike by mistreatment
and you will have a formidable
enemy. He'll never forget favor
lor an insult to his pride, which is
always high.
The white man is respected and
ooked to for guidance, unless he
shows himself incapable, in which
,ase he is frowned on by all the
men in the tribe. To give you an
dea of their jungle knowledge and
an Aussie overseer
Who had been with them for five
yearS told me he would give any
white man his choice of weapons,
md 48 hours start; then give ma
i've knife, and tell him the Tau
,ida" was an enemy. A week, a
month, or even year later, the
native would return with the white
mans equipment, and this fact was
frequently proven by the whole t,
ale slaughter Of Japs, with the loss
# about one per cent of the natives
ent out to hunt them. This hunt
ng was done, for the most part,
" the organized native police, but
ONE of the carriers went on un-
sorties Of their own
When not working.
The typical village is a group of
placed grass and pole
luts, built few feet off the ground.
hey have no walls but the roof
langs over the sides far enough to
,eep out the rain. Grass mats COM
rise the interior decorations, with
he mems weapons hung from the
idge pole 1t is the custom for most
+ the men to sleep apart from the
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