The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-10-13

The determination Of q great race
has been quietly going, on In Mexico
for some time and is 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. .@e 5a 8iy II Il
No.tribe has a more heroic history
than the Mayas. Their ancestors once
held sway over the land comprisedTbe-
tween the iIsthmus Of Tehuantepec and
that Of Darien, leaving the. ruins Of
Maya cities which make. the peninsula
Of Yucatan famous. n
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 1889, how
ever, that state revolted; desperate
battles were fought during nine
months, and in February, 1910, Yucca
tan proclaimed itself independent.
This success was. due in great part
to the Indians, who had been induced
to take a hand by promise that their
taxes would be reduced. These prom
Uses were not kept. At the beginning
of 1843 new treaties with Mexico were
made, but in 1876 Yucatan again left
the c~onfederacy. Civil war broke out
later between Merida and Campeche,
hitherto forming one state. All
through those troublous times the Id
dams fought loyalty by the side Of
their white masters. But they: were
not recompensed, their miserable con-
dition was in no way bettered, taxes
were not reduced, wages were not In
creased, 10 cents being their pay for;
q day Of severe toll. This led to q
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 it; 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.
Victory after victory brought the
Indians at last to the very gates Of
the capital and had all the aborigines
been united 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 penned 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 raj again
compelled to enter the Mexican con-
federacy. 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 q
standstill. The bishop and the gov
ernor were ready to sail fol. Havana
The abandonment Of the capital was
decreed. by church and state. The
leading citizens finally succeeded In.
changing this resolution, and. with.