New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-07
HISTORY OF THE TRIBE.
STRUGGLE OF THE YAQUIS TO MAINTAIN
THEIR INDEPENDENCE

STRUGGLE OF THE YAQUIS TO MAINTAIN
THEIR INDEPENDENCE
Washington. Aug (SpeciaD.-T Yaqui Indians,
who have again taken up arms against the Mex
lean Government. have maintained their sem-nde-
pendence by force of arms for century and n half
against the white invaders. They say that they
hold the title the territory they occupy the
King of Spain. from whom they forced IT, and they
have never recognized Mexican sovereignty. As a
nation they are ruled by their own laws. and they
make their towns asylums. never surrendering a
fugitive to the Mexican authorities. They are
naturally a mild and peaceful people but they are
brave and able in war when 1t cannot be avoided
without sacrifice Of their principles and their indie
pendence They hate the Mexicans, who, they al
lege, sold part Of their lands lying in the Gadsden
Purchase to the United States They have revolted
with more or less success against Spanish and
Mexican rule in 1885, 1926, 1882 and 1884, and since
1886 have almost continually retaated on Mexico
for various wrongs
The Yaqus occupy large district Of Sonora, In
Guiding the towns OF Cocorin Bacum and TORN as
well five other towns on the Yaqui River. They
Industrious; they make good farm laborers,
miners and boatmen, weave cotton. raise large
stocks of horses sheep and cattle. and sell prod
ucts valued at many thousands OF dollars every
month at Guaymas The Yaqus speak in rough,
loud tone, and their name is said to mean He who
shouts" They are believed 10 number about fifteen
thousand, OF whom more than five thousand are
adult males, most or tnefn armed IN june 1859,
when the Mexican Government trying to force
them TO pay taxes, they defeated and slaughtered
General Garcia and four hundred soldiers.
The last serious fight which these descendants
OF the Aztecs had with Mexico in 1896 and 1897.
when young girl named Teresa Urea, afterward
called Santa Teresa, announced that she had the
gift OF healing the sick, and offered to lead her
people into paradise She gathered several thou
sand Yaquis who made pilgrimages to her father s
ranch and started revolution. The Mexican au-
thorities captured her and took her across the
United States frontier 10 Nogales. Many Of tho
Indians followed her, and after rescuing her, she
led them against tho Mexican troops In Chihua-
hua where she captured and her force nearly
annhilated She again sent over the line to
the United States with warning never to return.
but the Indians and Mexicans soon rallied
around her and defeated small Mexican forces at
a number Of points. ST. Teresas band was finally
routed but she raised another army in the United
States, and in August the Yaquis seized the Mex
lean half OF the town of NOgaes. being subse-
uuently driven out by Americans. The war con-
tinued for a year, until, IN June 1891 Jeuabaie
chief OF the Yaquis, marched into Guaymas at the
head of eight hundred warriors and made a treaty
OF peace with a commission sent by President
Daz by whose authority the YaQuis were en-
rolled in a militia for the State OF Sonora, with
Jetiabale commander with the rank and sal
ary OF a Mexican officer. This policy OF conciha-
ton now seems have failed. and the attempt at
conquest which unsuccessful from the time
of Spanish sovereignty, Is again 10 be renewed