MASSACRE IN SOLOMONS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1927, Page 7

MASSACRE IN SOLOMONS

THE PUNITIVE EXPEDITION h- . HARD FIGHT ANTICIPATED DIFFICULTIES OF THE WORK By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, Nov. 15. The correspondent of the Sydhey Morning Herald with the Solomon Islands punitive expedition, writing from Malaita on October 31, says:— "The expedition’s advanced base is still on the headwaters of the Oulimburi River, 3500 feet above sea level. All the country is unexplored. They are the first white men to visit it. A camp has been established in the village of the chief Basaiana, who is stated to have struck the blow which killed Mr. Bell. Not far from tire camp they’ found traces where the natives had been lurking and discovered the skulls of a few of their enemies. The native police were fired upon with Sniders and poisoned arrows, and replied with a volley which killed a bush native. "It is reported that- Bassiana has several hundred followers and intends to fall back upon a fortified village. It is hoped this is true, as the expedition will then be able to strike a decisive blow, otherwise it will take months to 'hunt the niitives out of the difficult, mountainous country.

“The expedition passed a deserted village in which only a leprous old man was left behind. On returning to camp they gave a machine-gun demonstration to impress the friendly natives, and succeeding in making a deep impression.”

Mr. Mason, a missionary from the Solomons, has arrived in Sydney. He says that the disaffection is confined to the Sinerango tribe of'bushmen, who have always been noted for their truculence. When the massacre, became known 3500 natives from all parts of the'island poured down to the Government station to offer assistance. and pledge their loyalty. Mr. Mason declared that the massacre had been a premeditated affair, of which Mr. Bell had been warned, but he never let anything interfere with his duty. Mr. Mason considered the expedition against the murderers more than adequate. Another passenger from the Solomons expressed the opinion that it would take a long time before the murderers are captured, as they are natural fighting men and would infinitely prefer death in battle to hanging. According to the statements of those on board the supply ship Biloela, the natives who are responsible for the recent massacre in the Solomon Islands have not the remotest ehance of escaping justice, as they are hemmed in by hostile tribes, and have only a comparatively small area in which to operate. Tire punitive parties were systematically destroying the cultivated vegetables and the chief Bassiana would eventually be forced by starvation to submit.

The number of natives under Bassiana is estimated at between 50 and 100. They are expected to fight desperately before capitulating. Sufficient stores to last two weeks havo been placed on board the cruiser Adelaide. Canberra, Nov. 15.

The Premier, Mr. Bruce, states that the men on the cruiser Adelaide are still acting as guard to the base camp, and are not engaged in chasing the natives among the hills.