Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-10-22

Prof. Dean G.. Worcester. or the Uni
versity OF Michigan. contributes an ar
ticle on The Malay Pirates OF the
Philippines" Speaking OF the island
OF Sulu. where the dreaded Moros made
their headquarters. Prof. Worcester
says: Gen. Juan Aroles was the gov
ernor OF the island az the time. Aro-
las. who Is az presen; the military gov
ernor OF Havana Is a man with MS .
tory. He has always been an outspo-
ken republican. ready TO nght for his
convictions. In the days OF republican
success in Spain he is said 10 have cast
the thro1e out OF a window by way OF !
showing his respect FOR royalty. After
the fall OF the Spanish republic he con-
tinued 10 display what was consioereG
to be unseemly activity. and there i
little doubt that when be was non
ored" with an appointment as governor
OF Sulu. IL was with the Intention OF
exiting him 20 a place from which ne
would be unlikely TO return. me Town
was very unhealthy. the deienses "e0e
+ inadequate. and the garrison was IN
T constant danger OF annihiiaticn. Aro-
las was a man OF many resources anu
+ OF tremendous energy. His wre'cneu
town was peoplod by native troops
Chinese traders. and depor,od conVlc.s'
but in spite OF the unfayorable conoi-
tions which confronted him, he az
once set himself 10 improving things.
He made prisoners OF the Moros. ana
compelled them 70 work in strength
ening his defenses until these had been
made impregnable lie improved the
sanitation OF the town. changing
from a perfect pesthOle 20 an unusualiS
healthy place. He constructed wafer
works. built a splendid market place.
and established free school system
and a thoroughly equipped Hospital
His town became the wonder OF the
} Philippines. Meanwhile he was max
ing soldiers out OF his slcvenly native
troops. After putting his town IN
satisfactory condition and teaching MS
soldiers how 10 shoot. he sent 10 Man
liza for authority 20 attack the Moro
l stronghold at NAHUM. II IS said thA'
D his request was three times refused
and he was warned that his two req
ments would be wiped out II be MADE
the attempt One evening be sum
moned the captain OF a gunboat whicl
y him 10 take up position before MaiouI
e and open fire at daybreak on the ioi
e lowing morning. The officer refused
e 20 start. Arolas Is reported 70 have
10 given him his choice between ooeytnl
D. the order (Which. by the way. be Ia
=. no authority 70 give) and facing mr.
u ing squad in the plaza. The office
r. decided 10 go 20 NAHUM. and stron
Id guard was placed on his vessel 10 sc
e., that he did not reconsider his deter
Is mination. AT II o'clock that nigh
ri Arolas placed himself AZ the head {
De his two regiments. had ammunito
81 passed. and gave the order 10 marc'
C. The men had no idea where they wei
le going and before daylight found then
al selves hidden in the rear OF Maiou'
Meanwhile the gunboat had arrive
Se and the Moros were busy training Tho
II rude artillery on her. Promptly
or dawn she opened Ere and as the NJ
en- ros replied for the first time. AFRO.
Is and his men swarmed over the re-
he stockade. The Moros were tak'
ne completely by surprise. and althou'
OF they fought desperately. suffered
nj crushing defeat. The sultan contriv
'tn 10 escape but many OF the importa
nj chiefs were killed or captured. tbs
ne heavy guns were taken. and their fC
'ay tidcations destroyed Arolas follow
III up his advantage. and attack succeed
Tor attack until the fanatical Moslei
the were cowed rs they had never be
on cowed before. An armed truce 4
SEQ lowed. and continued in force at I
nal time OF our visit. Arolas had seve
our times escaped unscathed from deas
IN peril. and the MOros believed that
Su' had a charmed life.
silly
,rhk