Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 223, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1914 — Movies Demoralize South Sea Nations. [ARTICLE]

Movies Demoralize South Sea Nations.

Moving picture shows are demoralizing the South Sea natives, breaking up their old peaceful customs and inciting them to crime, says a returned English traveler from that part of the world. / Although the average islander is lazy, good-natured and peace-loving, he is not far removed from the days of savagery. Of an excitable and emotional nature, he is carried away by the dramatic films exhibited by promoters. An islander will pawn his last possession, says the traveler, to see a picture show. A recent case occurred in the Samoan islands, where three natives, one a former policeman, stole revolvers and started -eut-to-imitate a hold-up scene. They set upon a European plantation manager, and shot both dead for resisting. The murders were followed by battles with the natives, x with the result .that two of the band were killed Jn action and the third was captured and later hanged.