The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-21

NuICI NtS GlC AG!i SoOGc AAi tiAS
history of the archipelago. 1t was the
first which was not confined to one is.
land It was overcome by arms, bribery
and diplomacy, but not until over 500
Spaniards and Is, 900 natives had per-
ished. The last massacre was in May
last on Panay, when the Spanish troops
claim to have killed 700 rebels. From
the time of Magellan to Captain Gen
eral Augustin Spanish dominion has cost
over 1000, 600 lives in the Philippines.
The trouble Spain has with the sui
tan of Soulou is Of long standing. 1t
began about 1895. when the Chevaller
Rodriguez endeavored to conquer the
country, and kept on ever after. The
sultans have been ambitious and have
extended their sway over a large part
of northern Borneo, nearly all Of Min
danao. the island Of Palanan, the Pan
guitarang, TawiTawi and Basilan
groups of islands. In the Soulou ar
chipelago the sultan has 200, 900 SUBJ
jects, while in his vassal lands he has
more than 1000, 900. They are Mos
lens and are called "Moros" (Moors)
by the Spaniards. Up to the introduc-
tion of steam navigation in the far east
(about iS30) the sultan was ahead Of
Spain. His pirate ships and fleets in
tested all the waters of the archipelago
and threatened Manila as late as 1920.
He levied tribute upon the Europeans
as we'll as the natives and was a terror
to commerce even on the China coast.
Steam warships put an end to Malay
piracy. Great Britain led the van in
this movement and was ably seconded
by the other powers. Not until 1901
did Spain join in putting al end to the
grievous evil. She then sent out from
home 20 steam gunboats, which, with
those already at Cavite and Zamboanga,
the two naval headquarters, made q
formidable feet. They made a round
up of all the pirate craft, and, what
was equally important they destroyed
the pirate stronshoids. Villages and
towns were shelled and every pirate
killed at sight. The losses in life and
property were enormous and broke the
sultan's power Yet they were a small
fraction OF those inflicted by the pirates
upon Spaniards. Tagals and Visayas in
$50 years
In 1861 the Soulous became unruly,
and an expedition, naval and military,
was sent against them from Manila L
pursued the time hoaored course OF de-
stroying homes, fields boats and cattle
and killing every armed man. The
rebels were pacified and festival held
in Manila The pacifcation could not
have been very thorough, for there have
been thee others in the last decade.
The latest report was that peace reigned
supreme, but it was added that the
Spanish troops were not allowed to go
outside of the Notifications in Sulu un-
less armed and in strong detachments!
The siege of Manila by Dewey and
Merritt was not the first, but the third
in it's history. The first was in 1874,
when the Chinese, under the command
of LIMA Ong, made fierce onslaught,
but were routed, their ships destroyed
or captured and their armies slain or
driven into the savages' country.
The second was III 1862. when the
British, under General Draper, captured
and pillaged it, inficting heavy losses
to life and property. The victors held it
from Oct. 5 until March 81, 1853. In
the war with Li-Ma-Ong the natives
we're neutral. In this war they consti
tuted the main strength CT the Spanish
arms. Their bravery was startling. On
one occasion G,0o0 poorly armed and
undrilled men rushed lhe British lines
and fought their way, knife in hand,
into tne second ard third rows of sol
diers. OF the 1000 cnly 100 returned
to tell tho story of tte charge
The true charter Of Manila ano also
of tie Philippines is a royal decree of