The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-11

The determination of great race.
has been quietly, going on in Mexico
for some time and lis now almost COM
pleted. In another decade the famous
Yucatan Indians, the Mayas, will be
but a memory. No more romantic
record exists In the histories of the
aboriginal Americans than what is,
known as the Mayas, and their pass
ing should furnish material for one
Of the most interesting pages Of path
ology.
No tribe has more heroic history
than the Mayas. Their ancestors once
held sway over the land comprised be-
tween the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and
that OF Darien, leaving the ruins Of
Maya cities which make the peninsula
of Yucatan famous.
Z In 1912 the Spanish invaders en-
shaved the native population, which
suffered cruelty under that horrible
empire which became the curse Of
America. Mexico won her independ-
ence in 1928 and Yucatan became a
part of the republic. In 1885, how.-
ever, that state revolted desperate.
battles were fought during nine
months, and in February, 1S40, Yucca
tan proclaimed itself independent.
This success was due in great part
to the Indians, who had been induced
to take q hand by promise that their
taxes would be reduced. These prom.
ises Were- not kept. AT the beginning
of 1S43 new treaties with Mexico were.
made, but in 1876 Yucatan again left
the confederacy.a Civil war broke out.
later between Merida and Campeche,;
hitherto forming one state. All
through those troublous times the In
dams fought loyalty by the side of
their white masters. But they were
not reeompensed, their miserable con-
dition was in no way bettered, taxes
were not3reduced, wages we're not I'M.
creased, 13 cents being their pay for
a day of severe toll. This led to a
conspiracy against the white people.
! Before any outbreak occurred the
plot was discovered and its instiga-
tors put to death. This was the least
part Of 1T; the white soldiers went to
an Indian village while the men were.
absent, sacked the homes and assault
ed the defenseless women, thus begin
ming the war of races which has
proved SO disastrous A volume could
be written, in fact there are few
books in the Spanish language on the
horrors Of that war, and the barbara
ties of both parties. As far as the
justice of the struggle is concerned,
there are people in Yucatan today
who admit that the Indians had been
goaded beyond endurance
y Victory after victory brought the
Indians at last to the very gates of
the capital and had all the aborigines
been rnited the white population,
would have been wiped out. A great
number Of natives, however, had al.
lowed themselves to be terrified into
submission. Then followed a day when
the white authorities sued for peace,
sending written proposals to their adj
versaries. The reply was penaed in
The Maya language, and demanded a
surrender of arms. to which the white
men would not agree.
At this point Cuba gave generous
assistance to Yucatan. sending money
and ammunition. Documents were
dispatched to Spain, to the United
States and to England. asking help.
Not obtaining this, Yucatan was again
compelled to enter the Mexican con-
afederacy. BY the month Of May, 1S4S.
more than $50 towns and villages had
been burned. and the Indians had
raised their triumphant banner over
two-thirds of the land. Commerce,
industry and agriculture were at a.
standstill. The bishop and the gov.
ernor were ready to sail for Havana.
The abandonment of the capital was
decreed by church and state The
leading citizens finally succeeded in
changing this resolution, and, with