Washington sentinel., 1900-06-23

group, tnSrc Sl'GNSh
small islands, ot which the princi-
pal one is named Sulu, and the
whole group the Sulu ArchiPel-
ago. These islands form a con-
Meeting link between the Philip
pines and the great island OF Bor-
neo. Some three or four centuries
ago, about the time that the Span
iards came to the Philippines,
tribe of MalaYs made their way
from Borneo into the Sulu islands,
a people so fierce and waTlike in
disposition, so bold and daring in
action, that foE centuries they de-
fed the power OF Spain, and made
the Philippines very hot place to
hold. These were not idolateTs.
They had been converted to Mo-
hammedanism before their migra-
ton, and all attempts oi the Span
iards to convert them TO Christian
ity ended in the quick martyrdom
Of the missionaries. The Spanish
settlers named these newcomers
Moros, or Moors, in distinction to
Indios, or Indians, the name given
by them to the other natives.
The Moors are born pirates. The
sea seems more their home than
the land. They fairly revel in the
water, for wherever possible they
build their houses in the sea, rais~
ing them on piles sunk in the shoal
waters OF the coast. This mode OF
building has been followed in all
the Philippine islands, the houses,
even il miles from the sea, being
built on piles. II seems to suggest
a time when all the MalaYs were
water dwellerS. In truth, back
ward glance through time shows
us the Malay sea rovers setting out
in their war praus to conquer the
multitude OF islands in the south
Seas, and haunting the coasts so
as to be ready to take to the water
again at a moments notice.
The Moros hate the Christians
with all the fanatical hatred Of the
subjects OF Islam, wherever found.
They hate in particular the priests
and iriars, and have shown no
mercy to any OF those so unlucky
as to fall into their hands. For that
matter, they seem to have had no
Use for any captiVes except as
corpses or slaves. Every year, at
the setting in Of the southwest
monsoon, it was long their custom
to launch their boats and set off on
piralical expedition to the north.
Landing on the coast OF the first
island reached, they would attack
town and country alike, usually
with success, and always with
savage cruelty. Captives were
taken by thousands, and the men
compelled to harvest their crops
for the benefit oi their captors.
This done, the Moros would
butcher them in cold blood, and
carry of their women and children,
the former for the harem, the latter
to be reared as slaves. Their cruel
work done, the savage pirates
would take TO their boats and has.
ten back before the changing Of
the winds.
need hardly say hat the Span
iards did not submit calmly 10 this
state of affairs. They sent many
expeditions against the Moros. but
il was like sending sheep against
wolves, and more than one Spanish
force was cut to pieces. Landings
were made at times, and forts were
built even in Sulu itself. But the
garrisons did not remain long. In
every case the forts were taken and
their defenders slain, or they were
driven out by the indomitable
Moros. This result seems remark.
able, in view of the fact the Moros
had only swords, spears and dag
gers TO fight with against the fire.
arms OF the SpaniaTds. A gun was
a rare weapon in their hands, and
It was raTer still when they could
use one with effect But once let
them get within sword reach and
it was bad for the Spaniards. l
am speaking here in a measure Of
past times. Within the last quar-
ter Of century the Spaniards, with
the aid Of gunboats and rapid ire
guns, have put an end to the Moro
piracies, and to some extent have
subdued their ancient foes. The
Moros were driven inland bV the
FIRE OF the gunboats from their sea
built villages, and no pTau was
allowed to put to sea without a
Spanish permit and without flying
the Spanish flag. If met without
these, it was al once sunk, with all
its crew.
The Moros are a fine people
physically, OF medium height, but
often OF superb development. They
dress tastefullY in pantaloons,
waistcoat, jacket, sash and turban,
their pantaloons being worn skin
tight below the knee and loose
above. The men are
often handsome. and nearly always
active and robust, being more en-
ergetic and industrious than the
usually indolent natives Of the
north. They have dusky brown
complexion, black and piercing
eyes. low ioreheads, and glossy
black hair, worn long and falling
in waves upon the neck. Bold and
daring as they are, they are not
foolhardy, being under strict self
control, though quick in judgment
and decision. All males above
sixteen carry weapons, which they
are always ready to use either in
the mimic game Of war or in actual
combat. They wear coats OF mail,
swords lances krisses and other