The National tribune., 1902-05-15

gamy is concerned, it had better be let
alone until the people learn modern ideas
and abolish it of their own accord. At
any rate, it is believed that both polygamy
and slavery could be abolished with less
effort than that affecting the soldiers beer.
| The Moros have great respect for the
Americans The Sultan and the power
/ full dattos would much prefer that we
should leave them TO themselves. The
people could then practice piracy upon
each other and feel independent. The
masses, however, prefer American occupa-
ton. They recognize us as a rich, power
full, and progressive nation. with plenty
of soldiers, good rifles, and plenty of
money. When you consider that the aver
age Moro can live well on 80 cents week,
you can imagine the impression made up
on him when he sees soldiers drawing
from SIS to S25 a month-and actually
getting the money.
Soldiers go hunting freely on the various
islands, and the Moros have always been
friendly except in one instance. This hap
pened while Capt. S. \. Cloman, 23d In
fantry. was Military Governor of the
| TawiTawi group of islands. and the facts
have been duly distorted in the newspa-
pers somewhat to the discredit of that ex-
cellent officer.
The facts are that five soldiers on
hunting trip camped one night at the city
4 Of Bilfmbing, u miles from Bongao. They
proceeded a few miles farther north the
next day, and, after landing, recognized 10
Moro men whom they had seen in Bilim-
hing the night before. These men were
very friendly, told them where to hunt,
helped to chop wood and put up the tent,
and appeared interested in game of
whist which four of the soldiers were play
| ing. The fifth man-then Corporal. now
| a Second Lieutenant-was swimming
about 100 yards away. At signal the 10
Moros drew their barongs and began chop
ping.
TREACHERY AND MASSACRE.
The fight that ensued was too bloody to
describe. Suffice TO say that two soldiers
were killed and the other two frightfully
cut up. The fight lasted less than n min
ute, and the Moros escaped with the five
rifles The sight of these lovely" weap-
ons had induced them to follow the sol
Tiers in the hope that they might get them.
The Corporal, just at sunset, put his dead
and wounded comrades in the boat and,
after 14-hour trip, during which he mo-
mentarily expected a renewal of the at
tack, reached BOngao at s a. IN. next day.
Capt. Cloman took 80 men and went to
Bilimbing. 1t required all day and nearly
all night TO find n trace of the murderers.
Finally one was found, and when he told
his story they all began to confess and by
daylight the entire 10 had confessed. They
liked the Americans" and particularly
these soldiers, but they could not resist
the desire to possess these magnificent
rifles
In the morning the prisoners were sent
under guard to get frewood; when they
reached the jungle they made Il dash for
liberty, but all Were killed. Soon after
ward the account was published in the
yellow journals" Capt. Cloman was del
ugcd with mail from women in the United
States. Old maids from Boston addressed
him as "Inhuman Monster" young maids
from Kansas sent their photographs and
tender assurances. but the Bilimbing peo-
pie became his firm friends, and thanked
him for not furnishing the many for the
murdcrous doings OF the few. Ii is safe
to predict that no more hunting parties
will be interfered with in this vicinity.
Titles among the Moros are numerous
and the most common are as follows:
Datto-Prince or Duke. This title is
hereditary, and all sons of dattos are dat
tos. The title can only be created by the
Sultan.
PangIima-Next below datto; not hered
itary.
rajah-Next below panglima; no,
2 hereditary.
= Immum-A priest who can read and ex
plain the Koran; appointed by the Sultan
or dattos. He seldom ofiiciates except al
wedding.
Hadji-One who has been to Mecca.
Salib-A lineal descendant OF Mahomet
Habib-A saIib who is also a hadji; /
I e., has been TO Mecca.
The Sultan generally appoints pangl
mas and maharajahs, but a datto can also
Fappoint them. A mans Importance how
ever, depends more on his wealth and the
size of his following than upon his rank
The town of Bilimbing has a population
of about 1000. Ii has no dattO, but has
four panglimas and one maharajah where
as on the island of Sibutu there is a town
; with a population of 500 TINT has seven
dattos. Sibutu and Cagayan de Jolo are
two islands that were found to be outside