“Controlled” Areas In
p. 24 · Read in the full issue
N. Guinea
Described as “Dangerous”
INCENSED at reports criticising the punishment inflicted by D. O. Taylor and his party on natives in the Morobe area, where Capt. Bernard McGrath was killed recently, Mr. Robert Dugan, director of N. G. Alluvials Ltd. (the company for which Mr. McGrath was working) made a strong protest when he reached Rabaul from Salamaua at the end of May. He said that Europeans are constantly carry ing their lives in their hands in areas which are described as “controlled.”
“On the day preceding McGrath’s mur der in Karmunantina,” he said, “I was in a place five hours’ walk away, where I witnessed an inter-tribal fight between several hundreds of natives on opposite ridges, manoeuvouring for a position in open grass country. The rapidity of their movements, the advantage taken of posi tions, and the cutting off of isolated parties of natives was amazingly like the action of trained troops. Every village in this area is practically a fortress, constructed to command all approaches.
“The natives are crafty and experts in all kinds of bush fighting, employing many methods of ambushing. Natives within six hours’ walk of Ramu aero drome are continually fighting. Inter tribal fights are a daily occurence. The Lutheran Mission is doing its utmost to prevent constant warfare, and I freely endorse the action of all concerned.
“I strongly deprecate reports not giving credit to the men who rushed to my res cue and assisted the Administration.
Messrs. Ubank and Peadon forfeited a daily return of £10 at their own mines, and travelled night and day through hos tile country immediately on receipt of the news of McGrath’s death. Mr. Mick Leahy camped on the scene of the murder with 20 of his labourers, while Mr. Dan Leahy walked 60 miles over mountainous country in 32 hours for assistance. I as sisted District Officer Taylor during the whole of the action, and great credit is due to him, and his cadets, Black and Aitchison, and the native police, for the manner in which the situation was hand led.
“The fact that D.O. Taylor, with three white men and 17 native police, within 48 hours of their arrival on the scene, forced the surrender of 500 natives with only 17 fatalities, speaks volumes for their restraint and the tactics he employ ed. Two of the Lutheran Mission native teachers rendered invaluable assistance by interpreting at the time of the surren der.”