Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-10
MEXICOS REDSKIN FOES
History Of the Remarkable Indian Tribe
Reported on the Warpatb.
WARRIORS WITH A LONG PEDIGREE
Three Centuries of Fighting behind
Them, Another Row before Them
STORY of the Uncon-
quernblc Yaquis.

Ahuiahot III II HiUullhln ulSlTlCtS OF DOTll-
western Mexico, revlves interest in what IS
perhaps the most remarkable tribe of abor-
iginals known to history. The Yaquis differ
materially from the numerous other tribes
inhabitlng this section of the globe, relates
the st. Louis Globe Democrat. While thor
uushly partakiug of the ferocious nature OF
the Apaches Of the American frontier AMI
entertaining quite as pronounced a hatred
Tor all people OF more civilized tastes, they
are characterized by a very distinct predi-
lection for intelligent forms OF government.
But that any restrictions or obligations
should be placed upon them by an alitu peo-
pie, such ae they have ever been disposed
to regard all mankind not OF their tribe,
they are disposed to consider as unwar-
ranted interference with their hereditary
customs and hence intolerable. The Yaquis
have been a constant source of dread to
the Mexicans ever since the first attempt at
civillzing the northwestern section OF the
republic, to which movement the former
have been most strenuously opposed. Like
other North American tribes, they hold that
the territory they inhabit is theirs by right
of Inheritance from their forefathers and
every foot OF land that has from time to
time been wrenched from them has ulti-
mately been paid for by the life's blood OF
the invaders.
When the Spaniards first came to Mexico,
In 1913, the Yaqui nation numbered a popu-
lation Of $50, 1000. The territory controlled
by them was bounded on the south by Du-
range, and stretched away to what is now
known as the northern boundary OF Colo
RADIO. They were absolutely independent,
owing allegiance to no government other
than their own, and were looked upon as
the most formidable of air the tribes Of
Mnyiro Iika oil nnpiviIizad pativeg M that
period. the Yaquis were given to strange
customs and rites, many Of which were ap-
palling in the extreme. One of these was
their practice of destroying, at birth, all
puny or deformed infants, which cruel Gus
tom Is claimed to account for the superior
physical development characteristic OF them
even to this day. The first war with the
Yaquis was participated by Coronado, who,
during the period Of Spanish occupation, led
an armed expedition into their territory. The
progress OF the invaders was strenuously
opposed by the Indians, but, owing to their
superior arms and equipments, the Spaniards
eventually succeeded in penetrating through
their country. This war lasted a year, dur
ing which period the Yaquis lost 10000 OF
their warriors and were forced to abandon
a large amount OF their territory to the in
vaders.
An Ancient Hate.
Their intense hatred for the Spaniards,
cherished even to the present time. was en-
gendered in the Yaquis at that remote date.
Throughout the succeeding centuries they
have been almost necessarily at war with
the Spaniards and their Mexican descendants.
and by degrees their once powerful tribe has
been reduced, until at the present day 1t
numbers less than IL, 900 members. OF their
former broad domain all 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
the state OF Sonora. Here, during the BRIEF
Intervals of peace which they have &C.
casionally experienced, they have made their
homes, following their natural pursuits OF
farming, stock raising and mining. This Is
the land that has been ~of1cially assigned to
them by the Mexican government. Back OF
It,, however, in the f~astness Of the great
Sierra Madres, lies a territory that Is theirs
by right Of their exclusive ability to pene-
trate, and, when necessary, to inhabit 1t.
This Is the war home Of the Yaquis. Here.
In the conflicts of later years, they have
proved invincible, unconquerable. 1t is a
country OF rugged mountain sleeps, OF deep,
furnace-like deftles, and desolate, sweltering
mesa lands-a country inaccessible, intoler-
able to anything human, save only the
Yaduis. Such is the stronghold In which this
race OF fighters is intrenched today.
The history Of the Yaquis during the pres
ent century Is especially conspicuous, from
the fact that In the second quarter thereof
the tribe settled down to an apparently
permanent peace. The manifestation Of a
trait 30 utterly at variance with the previ-
Gus disposition Of the tribe was the occa-
sion OF quite as much wonderment as relief
- 49, 80. - 49, >xtAa AN~IA IA
Justice to the Yaquis, however, be it said.
that, had the tribal rights been respected by
a more advanced civilization In the begin
ming, not only would nearly three centuries
of perpetual warfare have been averted, but
Mexico might have boosted an aboriginal
element without a peer among her present
population. Porfcrio Diaz, himself an III
dian, has always entertained the profound
est admiration for the Yaqui character and
recently characterized them as the arms Of
the state OF Sonora" In 1920 the Yaquis
numbered upward OF 80, 900 and during the
ensuing year rallied to the standard OF Cen
eral Iturbide, taking a prominent part in
the war for independence against their nat
ural enemies, the spaniards. When, in Sep
TENDER. 1921, the war ended and the free
dom OF the Mexicans had been won, the
Ysquis returned to their remote haunts in
the northwest and entered upon their long
unprecedented interval OF peace, Therein
was experienced the first prosperity they
had known since Cortez's time. Then came
the war between Mexico and the United
States, in 1S47. Even a quarter century OF
peace had not baniehed the Yaquis' inner
ent propensity for war and Immediately
5000 of their braves Joined the Mexican
forces. Blu when peace was again restored.
in February CT the. following year, the
Yaquis who had served throughout the war
did not return to their peaceful pursuits.
They claimed the Mexican government had
broken faith with them relative to certain
lands that had been promised them as a
reward for their participation In the war.
The result was the precipitation OF a series
OF hostilities, lasting throughout a period OF
more than nifty years and the end OF which
has not yet been reached.
Lives SACRIFICED.
Within that sanguinary interval the MeNi-
can government has sacrificed 35, 900 soldiers
aud many millions OF dollars In it's ~fruitless
endeavors TO efectually subdue the faquis
and restore a permanent peace. The tribe ap-
parently refuses to become reconciled TO the
loss OF It's extensive territory and are re-
solved upon lighting ont their grievances 10
the death, Their protraLtei warfare has cost
them over 20, 900 members OF their tribe, be-