The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-23
THEY YIELD AT LAST.
DIPLOMACY SUCCEEDS WHERE FORCE
FAILED FOR CENTURIES.
The Uneonquered Yaquis Sign u Treaty Of
Peace With Mexico - They Are to BE
Organized Into a State Militia as Citi-
zens.

WIN Iney are I'd do
Organized Into a state Militia as Citi-
zens.
A new example of the comprehensive
craftsmanship of General Porfrio Diaz,
the president of Mexico, has just come
into general notice. Mexican newspa-
pers contain accounts of the negoti alton
of the treaty of peace between the Mex
lean government and that powerful and
warlike tribe of Indians called the va
quis, which has never been subdued
since the Spanish conquest Of Mexico
in the sixteenth century, and which has
| always until this time refused to recog-
nize the authority of the Mexican re-
| public.
They have been ruled by their own
laws, have refused to pay taxes, have
| kept all intruders out of their domain,
have got the means of subsistence in the
territory which they inhabit, and have
successfully resisted every attempt to
subjugate them. All the efforts of Spain
to reduce them during the colonial peri
cd were as Intellectual as have been those
| of Mexico since she became independ-
| ent. In the last conflict with them,
which occurred three or four years ago,
the Mexican troops were unable to pen
citrate the mountainous region in which
they live and took their departure, as
others had taken it many times within
800 years. The troubles of our govern
| ment with the Apaches, Cheyennes and
other hostile tribes have been slight
compared to those of Mexico with the
Yaquis.
1t is with these unconquerable peo-
| pie that President Diaz, half an Indian
himself, has negotiated a peace that
promises to be lasting. Having failed
to vanquish them by force of arms, he
adopted policy of pacifcation advan-
tageous both to them and to Mexico.
When he learned by experience that the
brigands that infested Mexico could not
be exterminated by any force at his COM
mand, he offered to take them into the
service of the government as armed de-
tenders of the public peace with good
pay. The offer was accepted. They
were put in uniform. and they have
been so faithful for years in the per-
Torrance of their duties that order has
taken the place of brigandage in Mex
leo. 1t was probably the success thus
gained that led him to make the ar
rangement which he has made with the
Yaqui Indians He has provided for
their organization into a state militia
as citizens of Mexico, and he has APP
pointed Chief Jetiabale as commander
of the force at salary of $50 month.
As the Yaquis have always been re-
nowned for their bravery it is probable
that they will render better service as
militia than any other that has ever ex
listed in the state OF Sonora.
The conversion of an invincible foe
into a serviceable friend has been &C
complished by diplomacy. 1t needed {
philosophic statesman to effect the con
version.
In one of the Mexican journals there
: is an account of conference held nea
the city of Guaymas. The chief OF thu
Yaquis, escorted by 800 well armed
warriors, rode to the place where the
Mexican peace commissioner, accompa
MED by cavalry regiment, awaited
4 him, and together they retired to pa
! vilion that had been prepared for the
occasion. The treaty was read; its pro
3 visions were discussed; it was approved
by Yaqui and Mexican; it was signe'
l by the representatives of both sides
and then came the time for feast tina
was enjoyed by the high CONTRACTING
u parties. 1t was ceremonious affair. l
signalized the end of war which Ina
existed ever since Spain set foot i'll Mex
I co.-New York Sun.