New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
RENEGADES.
WHITE MEN WHO FIGHT ON THE SIDE
OF SAVAGES.


the ranks of the Filipinos. and that an English
man of the name of Bray should be the leading
spirit of the insurgent Junta. will surprise no
one who possesses any acquaintance with the
barbarous or semi-civilized races in various
parts Of the world. Even in this country stories
have been current Of white men assocating
themselves with Indians in the outrages perpe
trated by the latter. and in Africa. in Asia and
in the various islands great and small of the
Pacific Ocean, wherever the forces Of civilized
and Christian nations have found themselves en-
gagged in more or less mortal conflict with bar
barism and savagery. the latter have almost in
yariably been assisted and directed by white
men, renegades in the worst sense of the word.
and deserters from civilization. 1t is difficult to
find words sufficiently strong to condemn these
enemies of their own race. and no mercy what
soever should be shown to them whenever they
are caught arms in hand against their fellow
whites. For In nine cases out OF ten they have
cast aside every restraint of civilization, ana
have adopted all the vices and savagery OF the
worst and most degrading types OF the natives
among whom they have cast their lot endeav-
oring it would seem. to surpass the latter In
cruelty and deviltry,
Thus in Cochin China where the French have
for nearly twenty years been carrying on re-
Ientiess warfare against the bloodthirsty pirates
who infest the coasts, and especially the great
rivers the naval and military forces every now
and again discover that the pirate chiefs whom
they succeed in capturing are European rene
gades sometimes Frenchmen. remember In
particular the case Of man of the name OF
Caussade who shot at Hanoi on the occa-
sion Of my visit there and who. having deserted
from the French Army had become one OF the
principal lieutenants of the Black Flag. or pirate
force. of the dreaded chief and mandarin. Doc
Itch. Doc Itch had just made his peace with
the French. and had surrendered to the latter
the French deserters who had been his allies
and was likewise in the act of revealing the
manner in which he had obtained all the arms
and ammunition that he had needed through
out the several years that he had carried on his
piratical operations
THAT HOSPITABLE NJ. OBERG.
For time prior to the compromise effected
with Doc Itch, one of the most prominent ana
popular figures of French society in the Far
East had been Danish merchant or financier
of the name of Oberg He made his home at
Hong Kong but also maintained handsome es-
Establishments at Saigon Hanoi and Haiphong
where he entertained in the most hospitaple
manner receiving all the leading French Off
cialc
der his roof. His French friends trustee MIN
blindly granted him all kinds of favors In con-
nection with the passage Of his goods through
the custom houses and never had any hesita-
tion about discussing official matters even OF
O. the most confidential character. in his presence
40 soop as ever he learned that peace had been
arranged between Doc Itch and the French he
hurriedy took his departure from Hong
Kong and shortly afterward the old pirate
chief was able to show by means of docu-
nentary evidence thai he had been kept
supplied not only with arms and ammu-
milton. but likewise with news. by M. Oberg
throughout the entire period of his hos
tilities against the French and that the war
material had in many instances passed through
the French custom houses at Hanoi and Hal
phong under the very noses Of the officials. the
goods coming by steamer from Hong Kong and
being transshipped into Chinese junks at Hanoi
HaiphOng and at Saigon.
Oberg whose hospitality /. too. had occasion
TO enjoy at Saigon. being taken to his house by
some French officers with whom was acquaint-
ed. has of course never set foot since French
soil When last heard of him. three years ago.
he was living in great style at Manila Possibly
he is there at the present moment. carrying on
the same little game in the conflict between the
Filipinos and the Americans as he pursued dur
ing the warfare between his piratcal friend the
Black Flag chief Doc Itch and the French. In
that case / commend him to the very strict OBJ
servation OF Admiral Dewey and General OTIS
AS for the French deserter Caussade, above
mentioned he shot much as one would
shoot mad dog. and without any of the solem-