Evening star., 1901-04-16
The Filipino as Viewed by an Ameri-
can Officer.
THE MORO 4 MAKER OF FINE WEAPONS
Datto Piang Voluntarily Raises the
American Flag.
VISIT TO A M ARK KET

States Volunteer Infantry recently wrote
from Cottabato, P. l., a series of interesting
letters descriptive Of the Filipinos, their
manners and customs. The following mar
rative is from his pen:
Long before the conquest Of the Philip
pines by Spain the Koran had been intro
duced there by Mohammedan traders from
the Red sea. 1t is a matter Of common
knowledge how the propagation of Islamism
has been effected by the sectaries of Ma
homet down the ages since the Hegira.
With the Santon marched the warrior, and
when there was no Santon the war chief
marched alone. The yatagun or the scirn-
eter opened the way and topped off the
heads of any who refused to submit to the
laws of the prophet. The vanquished who
escaped with their lives might only redeem
themselves after years of servitude by en-
bracing Mohammedanism. The struggle
ended the mezquita was erected, schools
were opened and every science taught
both human and dfvine-all Of which wis
dom and knowledge was taught from the
unique and supreme Koran.
BY these expeditions means the sect born
in corner of Arabia has come to domi-
nate the greater portion Of ASIA almost
all OF Africa and large part of Oceania
The Spanish historian Bernaldez, referring
to Manila itself, says that at the arrival
of Legaspi as early as 1865, it was a rich
Mohammedan town situated on the left
bank Of the Pasig, defended by rude
fort with twelve pieces of artillery and oc-
cupying the same place where today stands
Fort Santiago.
But the Moros, so called by the Span
iards. belong to the Malay race and have
no connection whatever with the inhab-
ftants of Mauritania. They occupy chiefly
southern Paragua, the greater part of the
archipelago of Jolo and Mindanao. In real
ity it would be better If the various peo-
designation Of it's own, for they differ wide
ly in their traits, customs and language
Although they always call themselves Mo-
hammedans, very few outside Of Jolo pay
much attention to the doctrines of the Ko-
ran, and for the most part preserve in
their practices and ceremonies almost all
the traditional Malay customs and only
casually include some vague Mohammedan
some formula taken from Catholicism. The
Moros of Mindanao and Jolo are sometimes
found to be fine and intelligent people but
TINS is by no means due to any blood rela-
tlonshlp with the Arabs, as has erroneous
ly been stated; since the Mohammedan
traders who introduced Mohammedanism
into this part OF the east could not on ac-
count of their small number and brief stay,
nave erected such a change In the Malays
of the Philippines The. Moros are not
therefore, Arabs more or less degenerate
but Malays converted to Mohammedanism
who have become modified by intermar-
Considered Physically.
Generally of small stature, powerfully
built, copper-colored, with broad face and
struggling beard. wide and not very promi-
nent nose, thick lips. coarse black hair,
which is often Of great length-such is the
physical appearance Of the Moro His
dress varies according to locality and rank,
but usually he wears curiously rolled
kerchief In the form of turban on his
head, tightly fitting jacket Of lively color
and gaudy trousers of extraordinary tight
ness. In addition he sometimes wears q
"sarong." sort of petticoat that envelops
the lower portion of the body
The Moros are famous makers of fine
weapons, like the campilan. a kind Of
straight sword broadest at the point. and
the doube-edged crs, or cutlass some
of which have wavy blades. Among fire.
arms they make little cannon called Tan
tacas," which are sometimes double-bar-
relied, great curiosity for collectors. They
make shields that serve also as hats and
they use brass helmets and coats of mail
Sometimes the latter are cunningly wrought
and overlaid with fligree They wear in
battle cuirass of tanned carabao hide.
which Is hardened by some process until
1t is like bone and will take high polish
They build forts called "cottas," sometimes
of stone, but more often of earth and
trees. Slavery and polygamy are tolerated,
but only the rich avail themselves of such
rights. This Is sufficient, however to un-
derstand the constant mixture Of races
which has been going on so long among
these people. The Moros are in a great
measure, sailors and warriors, and erst-
while famous pirates They call them
selves lords and masters Of the tribes
living in the lands they inhabit and do
not fail to exact tribute If they can.
The center Of the Moro territory in south
ern Mindanao is Cottabato, where a bat
TALON of the S1st United States volun-
teers. under command of Major John e.
McMahon, is stationed. After the eyacua-
tion of the Island Of Mindanao by the
Spaniards, Filipino, Ramon Vilo by name,
became the "presidente'' of Cottabato It
is charged that he placed himself in COM
munication with the insurrectionary move
ment Of Luzon and identified his local gov
ernment at Cottabato with that Of Agui-
naldo. The militia, which had been raised
under Vilo primarily to protect the Chi
nese merchants by whom it was sustained,
was turned into an fnsurrectionary body,
to support which (and incidentally to pay
tants Of the district were taxed beyond
endurance A number of persons who
failed to pay the tax were shot.
Ihe Chinese and probably a few other
Datto Piang, rich and powerful Moro
chief, for assistance and deliyerance from
the government Of Vilo. Piang came to
town In answer to their entreaty and fall
Ing to come to satisfactory terms with Vilo
ordered his execution and that Of eleven OF
his officials. This execution took place Sep:
tember TO- 1850. After the overthrow of
Who. Datto Piang and Celestino Alonzo, the
head man of the Chinese Guild. appealed to
the United States authorities for assistance,
and Datto Piang voluntarily raised the
American flag. Since then both these men
have been active agents for the peaceful
occupation of Cottabato by the American
troops.
Visits Rancheria.
Major Mcmahon and visited Datto
Piangs rancheria at Reina Regente the
other day. We started at sunrise on board
the steam launch Detroit, accompanied by
Catug. the captain Of the Moro guard. and
Ben" the Moro corporal. 1t was a splen-
did morning. Every tree was sparkling
with drops that flashed with vivid colors In
the light of the morning sun. and every
leaf glistened green and nodded in the fresh
air. while here and there the fiery blossoms
Of the "dap-dap" or the sweet magnolia
blooms raised their splendid heads to catch
the first glimpse of the sun.
Heavy showers had fallen during the
night. and at dawn the sun came rolling up
over the mountain top In a chariot Of flame,
and the youthful lord of day looked down
hot oh {lra fo1,o