Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-23
A NECROS POPE
And His influence in One Of
the Islands.
THE REPUBLIC OF NEGRos
Never Been in Insurrection Against
the United States Nor Under ihe
sway or Influence of Aguinaldo-
Papa IsiO Supreme, His Mysterious
Personality Likened to the Yelled
Prophets,

BAcoLoD, NEGRos, FebrHayp 9,
The Island of Negros has never been in
insurrecton against the United States Cow
ernment, nor has it been under insurgent
rule The island has history peculiar TO
itself Throwing off the Spanish yoke in
November, 1898, the people established an
independent government, that for a
brief period the Republic of Negros was
one among the nations of the earth,
although unrecognzed In about four
months independent Negros voluntarily
submitted a constitution framed by them
selves to the Government at Washington
requesting its adoption by Congress, as the
government of the island. This constitu-
ton fully recognized the sovereignty OF the
United States. 1t was not adopted as
framed the authorities being of the opinion
that the time had not arrived for the estab-
lishment of purely civil government in
any of the islands of the Archipelago. A
government partially civil in its character
was established in the island, under the
supervision of the military governor at
Manila. This government continued until
superseded by the general provisional gov
ernment act passed by the Philippine com
mission.
Negros never had its Aguiualdo but it
has its Papa Isio. The island has never
been the scene of hostile insurgent opera
tious, but it has been subject to the depre-
datious of the followers Of Papa Isio called
Babalynes, who swoop down from the
mountains, devastating the adjacent sugar
haciendas, robbing the people and retreat
ing to their Businesses in the hills. Just
who Papa Isio is I have not been able to
determine.
Some say he is a Spaniard, others that he
is a native Filipino all agree in stating that
he is an ignorant man, unable to write and
| suppose to read. His career has extended
all through the time of the American occu-
patton and back, know not how far, into
Spanish times.
Whether able to read aud write, or not, lie
certainly is a remarkable character II
may be a low cunning rather than any
. higher attribute, but in some way he holds
a remarkable influence over the minds of
his followers and has held it for three
years or more. He seems something like
the Yelled Prophet, keeping aloof from his
adherents, spending much of his time, as
they say, on top of the mountains engaged
in prayer for the world The chief of the
mountaineers collects regular tribute from
certain sections of the islands, imposing
taxes in virtue of his sovereign authority,
presumably as emperor, as he styles him
self at times, Pope.
The followers Of Papa Isio are generally
the dwellers in tha mountains, who are said
to have been, before the revolt against
Spain, mild, peaceable lawabiding people,
but since that event have been in a contin.
al s.cI I -,
ing the country robbing and devastating
the plantations. 1t may be, however that
the troublesome times produced lawless
class who make their homes in the noun
taius, and have been coufounded with the
mouutaineers and brought to some extent
unmerited reproach on them. in this as
everything else it is we'll nigh impossible
to tell the true from the false, or ascertain
the actual facts of disputed matter
There seems to be an opportunity for
another Funston here in the mountains
of Negros. Papa Tsio, is almost invisible to
the eyes of his enemies as we'll as to his
friends. We hear of him, but don't see
him, or learn of whereabouts, excepting
that his an-tings- an-ting or charms against
bullets are occasionally seen. Evidences of
his influence over his followers are appa-
rent, and have been for many months, but
the man himself seems a myth. To capture
him would be take prisoner the Aguiualdo
of Negros and much more, as the Pope of
the Mount is in possession of far more than
Aguinaldo's power over his followers
rhe constabulary are doing excellent
work ia the island The other day three Of
them were attacked by a party of Baba
lynes, the little band held their ground,
wounded three of the enemy, and brought
in seven as prisoners. Major Orwig,
at the head of the constabularv of
the Province of Occidental Negros, Is
doing thorough work in building up a
most efficient force out of the Visayan
material. The major will make soldiers of
the natives if anyone can, and in fact has a
force capable of meeting anything in the
islands excepting white troops. There
seems to be already an esprit de corps per-
vading the majors command, the men ap-
pear proud of their corps and Of the fact
that they are in the service of the United
States
With sufficient troops at his command.
feel safe in the prediction that Major Orwig
will speedily settle the political disquietude
in this province. That the depredations
will cease, tranquility prevail, and the reign
of Pope Isio come to a summary end.
EX-SOLD1ER