The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-12
1<sr STAND OF THE rAoUIA
Interesting History of tho Indians Who Arc
now at War with Mexico.

| Interesting History Of tho Indians VINO ARC
now at War with Mexico.
| BAN ANTONIO Texas. Sent 1a-In the attcn-
ton drawn toward the outbreak OF the falul
| Indians In the State OF Sonora. Mexico. the
world Ia perhaps witnessing the passing OF a
nation. for the war levied by Mexico will In all
| probability be- ono OF extinction. Following 80
closely. as It does. the peace treaty end
ing the ten years war. the present
| war becomes one OF peculiar interest.
The Yaauis, or Hiaquis. when first known TO
history. occupied nearly or quite all that terri-
| tory now marked on the map as New Mexico.
Arizona. tho western half OF Texas and as FAR
, south az Durango In Mexico. They numbered
nearly or quite 100000. To-day their habitat
Ia the country along the Rio Yaqul. In the state
OF Sonora, and they number only 10000. 5000
OF whom are capable OF bearing arms. They
are mild. tractable. Industrious. and make the
beat ranchmen In all the West. Like the
Navajos to the north. they own vast herds
Of horses and sheep. They weave wool blankets
Of exquisite pattern and manufacture clay
pottery OF deft workmanship. Allied to the
Plmas they speak the Cahta dialect. which
they 10 In loud rough tone, thus drawing to
themselves their tribal name. "Yaqnl.' mean
ing literally he who shouts" Although speak
Ing an ancient dialect as a national language.
Spanish 10 also spoken to the extent that they
are able to tran act business dealings In that
language. their trade with Guaymas alone
amounting to more than s.. 900 q m onth.
Although primarily peaceable they are essen
italy warlike because of their national inde-
pendsRce. War has never been OF their own
seeking but always to rosist encroachment
upon their national sovereignty. One instance
may, however. be excepted and that was when
tho war chief. Tetabiate, rendered our Govern
ment reg ment OF picked warriors to go to
Cuba to do battle against their hereditary enc
miles, the Snaniards.
In 1853 the Jesuit father. Francisco Kino.
founded a mission among the Yaquis. The
children were gathered into schools and
taught tho Christian religion, a mixture OF
catechisrn. prayers and mild correction OF tho
lash. 1t was like all others Of the missions OF
the early fathers, both in action and result. A
gene ntion served TO raise up one Of Spanish
speaking youngsters who could Jabber their
"nves" and 'credos." and who. when the
watchful eye OF their prcceptor was turned
from them. went back to tho war god Hnitzilo-
po,hti. hut tempered with the mild teachings
OF QuetEalsoatl. just as In our own time many
o copper-colored graduate OF Carlisle. goes
back to the gee string and blanket.
Nearly sixty years went by. and the Yaquis
bowed to the God OF their teachers. They SUI
fered we'll because the country OF their
teachers had also god OF gold. They were
powerless for long time to catch the light OF
understanding. but In 1740 NUM-. with lieu
tenant. Juan Calixto headed a rebellion
against the govern emit OF the officers OF Spain.
Their war was brief and peace was pro-
claimed. The terms OF peace were disregarded
by Spain. and in 1850 the Yaquis again re-
belled under the leadership OF Chief Luis.
whose authority lasted until 1853. when he
was captured, and as Spanish history recites.
he soon died OF melancholy"
Although at war with Spain. or at least Span
fab blood. since 174O. the Yaquis are an un-
conquered people. Even their so-called de-
feat by Gen. Urea In 1882. when they were led
by the eloquent Bandera. cannot be construed
as actual when 1t is remembered that they
have since warred against Mexico and been
treated with as a nation that they hold the
lands OF their present residence under grant
from Spain, and that they are governed by
their own laws. having never yielded TO Mex
leo. Their villages are literally cities o! refuge
under their laws and the fugitive is in sane
tuary when he passes the gates OF Cocarin.
fastn ssses Of the Bscstete Mountains
ever. was demonslrat-d in the ton years war.
in which they witnessed the assassi nation
Of their war chief Cajeme when in conference
with other incidents OF like character. has not
served to make them love Mexico. or the
methods Of its Govern tent In war This not.
withstanding the National Council ratified
the treaty Of Ortiz In 1897.
Gen. Torres. who was in mmand Of the eX-
petitions against the Yaquis in 1S1-97 is in
command OF the troops in tho field against
them in the present war. Press dispatches so
far show Mexican success IN every encounter.
ills hut jus. to the YnQui to remember that
the telegraph i in the hands Of his enemy.
eXican and heavy upon the YaIui Since
1888 Mexico has lost $4,000 soldiers
and snsnt millions Of money in its
defeated the Mexicans, under Gen. Garcia,
Killing that officer and 400 soldiers: They arc
better armed now than then. The Mexican
Etuet follow to the inaccessible natural forti-
fNations Of the Bscatete Mountains. family
q fourteen held ILass in these mountains in
dayE On the fourth the attacking party were
able 10 get skirmishers upon a narrow ledge
above> where thoy fired upon the defenders who
retreated. That evening the MeNicans were
halted by shots from an adobe chapel near the
edge oS q, narrow mesa at tho mouth Of a
beyond. They were kent here four days longer
and 1t WIS only after they had battered tho
building Vown by shots from a howit2er that
.hey wer,, able to pass. II was then they dis
,ame family who had held the first pass. All
,eriousiy tn st he died within the hour.
Tho present outbreak is because Of an at
empt upon the part OF the Mexican Govern
n ent to granN mining con cessiOns in that part
yrant from snain. The ,YaGui ia, It may be.
making his aat fight. and the world may e1-
,ect an heroic one.