The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-13

the numerous os1ef t!lbtS lHHdustiH4 tHAs
section Of the globe. While thoroughly par
taking OF the ferocious nature OF the Apa-
ches Of the American frontier. and entsr-
tanning; quite as pronounced hatred for
oil people OF more civilized tastes. they are
characterized ky a very distinct predilec-
ton for intelligent forms OF government.
But that any restrictions or obligations
should be placed upon them by an allen
people. such as they have ever been dis
pored TO regard all mankind not Of their
tribe, they are disposed TO consider as I'M
warranted interference with their heredi-
fary customs. and hence intoierable- The
Yaquis hare been a constant source OF
dread to the Mexic2ns ever since the first
attempt 1T civiiizing the northwestern sec
ton Of the republic, to which movement
the former have been most s,renuously cp-
posed. Like other North American tribes.
they hold that the territory they ;nhabit In
theirs By right Of inheritance from their
fcrefathers. and every foot Of land that
has from time 10 time been wrenched from
them has ultimately been paid for by the
LIES blood Of the invaders.
When the Spanlards first came to Mex
eco. in 1919. the Yanui nation numbered
population of $4,000. The territory con-
trolied by them was bounded on the
south by Durango and stretched away to
what Is now known as the northern
boundary Of Colorado. They were abso-
1uteiy independent, owing allegiance 10
no government other than their own. and
were looked upon as the most formidable
Of all the tribes Of Mexico. Lake all un-
civilized natives at that period. the Yaqu,s
were given to strange customs and rites
many Of which were appalling in the
extreme One Of these was their practice
Of destroying. 1t birth. all puny or de-
formed infants, which cruel custom ia
claimed to account for the superior phys
icaI development characteristic Of them
even to s;his day. The first war with the
Yaquis was precipitatsd by Coronado,
who. during the period OF Spanish oe-
cupstion. led an armed expedition into
their territory. The progress OF the IN
vaders was strenuOusiy opposed by the
Indians. but, owing to their superior arms
and equipmes1ts the apaniards eventually
succeeded In penetrating through their
country. This war lasted a year. during
which period the Yaquis lost n. 90 Of their
warriors and were forced TO abandon a
large amount OF their territory 10 the
Invaders. Their INTENSE hatred for the
Spaniards. Cherished even to the present
time. WAS engen6ered In the Yaouis at
that remote date. Throughout the sue
ceedsng centuries they have been almos,
tncessantly AZ war with the Spaniards and
thdr Mexican descendants. and by degrees
their once powerful tribe has been re-
bers leee than 1900 members OF their
former broad domain ali the possessions
that now remain to the Yaquis are a
few leagues of land. situated In the
lower valleys OF the Rio YaQui. In the
southern portion Of tho state of Sonora
Here, during the brief intervals OF peace
which they have occasionally experienced
they have made their homes. following
their natural pursuits Of farming, stock
raising and mining This IL the land
that has been officially assigned to them
by the Mexican government. Back OF IL .
however. in the fastness of the great
Sierra Madres lies a territory that Is
theirs by right Of their exclusive ability
10 penetrate and. when necessary, to In
habit II. This Is the war home of the
YaQus. Here. in the conflicts of later
years. they have proved invincible un-
conQuerahle. II il n country Of rugged
mountain sleeps of deep. furnace-iike de-
flee. and desolate. swei,er.ng mesa lands
la country inaccessible. in,olerahle TO
anything human. save only the Yaaus.
Such is the stronghold IN which this race
Of fighters In intrcnched today.
The history OF the Yaauss during the
present century ts especially conspicuous.
from the fact that TN the second quarter
thereof the tribe settled down to an ap-
psrentiy permanent peace. The manlfes-
taticn of trait so utterly at variance with
the previous disposition OF the tribe was
the occasion Of quite as much wonieYnent
as relief on the part OF the Mexican ren-
pie. In Justice to the Yaauis however be
It said that. had the tribal rights been
respected hy a more advanced civilization
In the beginning. net only would rearl,
three centuries or perpetual warfare have
heen aversed. nu, Mexico might have
boosted an aboriginal element without a
peer among her present population. ror-
firic paz. himself an Indian. has always
entertained the prnfouniext admiration
for the Yaaui character. and recently
characterized them rs the "arms OF the
state OF Sonora" I'm 1874 the Yaluis naul-
hefe.i upwards Of sne" and during the
ensuing year rallied 10 the standard OF
Gen. iturh'ae taking n prominent part In
the war for Independence against their
natural ererases. the S,,ansarfs. when. IN
September. ,ses. the war ended, ana .he
freedom OF the Mexicans had been war
the yaGuis returned 20 their remote hannf~
IN the Northwest and entered unon their
1cng unprecedented Interval at peace
Therein was experienced the sfrs. prosper
ity they had known since Cortsx' tiYsie
Then came the war between Mexico awS
the United States IN $50 Even a quarter
century az peace had not hansshea the
Ya2uis inherent propensity fer war. and
Immediately ssa az their braves Joined
again restored. IN February ~ tire fellow
ms year the Yagoss who Aai served
throughout the war 'ia ros return ~ tAes-
peaceful pursuits. They claimed che Mex
lean government had Ayossr faltA With
them relative to eersatn lands thSt had
been pren.ssi then, ne reward sov their
participation In tsc war. TIE result. WAS
the precipitation Of a ~er1ae ~ saSsili,sss
lasting throughout A period az mere thsn
Nfts years ans the end ~ which has ro.
yet ssesa reached. Within that xsngulnsrv
interval th~ Mexican government has $40
rstsced * am siassr~ ana many millions %
dollars IN lts freiiftsss ensssavars 70 eyes.
susitv satsiae tas Yaaals aaa restore a
permanent peace
The tribe apparently refuses ~ become
Yacancsied 20 the fcss of their vxtess Sfve ter
risary ard are rssolv-~3 upea fighting out
their grievances to the death Their pro
traesed warfare hss cnSs fhsyss evwv - ~
members 90 their tribe. besides many
towns and hscSsv7tsas. az ts@ IS sssl
ysauss 20 be found IN Sonora ~
tbs. rrx&en. tine. IL Is impossible 70
covrsrsfy estimate the properties - actual