New-York tribune., 1902-05-06
MORO FRIENDS AND FOES.
CAPTAIN PHILIP THINKS THE MlNDA-
MAO UPRISING WILL NOT LAST LONG.
fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUxE.I

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlbCNE-I
Washington May 5-Captaln Van Ness Philip,
whose headquarters were at Zamboanga for two
years. most of the time adjutant general OF
Southern Mindanao does not believe the Moro
rebellion will last long. The most powerful lead
ers on the coast friendly TO the United
States and there is no probability that they
will prove treacherous The Lake MOros alone
are likely TO resist and they can be soon sub
dued. general Mahometan revolt he regards
as unlikely only the chiefs and priests have
strong religious inclinations. the rest of the
natives readily abandoning their faith Besides.
the Lake Moros have little in common with the
more numerous and progressive Moros Of the
coast and rivers and are not likely to excite the
latters sympathy. The greatest friend OF the
Americans in MindanaO is Raja Muda Mandi'
who lives In ZambOanga and controls most OF
the coast and the whole southern peninsula of
the island lie is progressive civilizer. de-
votes himself 10 the encouragement OF commerce
and trade. and never loses opportunity to
prove his loyalty TO the United States. When
the gunboat Castiue arrived 10 take possession
of Zamboanga then held by Spaniards and Fill
pinos. Rata Muda Mandi came of to that ship
with his forces IN hundred brick armored
canoes and offered to do all the fighting for the
Americans, hut the prompt surrender of the
garrison rendered his aid unnecessary Until
few years ago Mand only a powerful datto,
but me Sultan OF Mindanao. recognizing his
power appointed him Raja and successor to
the throne. NJ CatabatO the great dattO is Pi-
dng who has some chinese blood in his veins
and formerly slave. He, too. is exceed
inEly progressive and capable and ia firm
supporter Of American control He controls
more than thirty thousand armed men. has
many rifles and some cannon and his palace is
a fort abandoned by the Spaniards forty-lve
miles above the mouth OF the Rio Grande.
Closely connected with him and controlling the
district further up the river Is Datto Ali.
typical Turk in appearance, and not disposed to
he too friendly with Americans although freely
recognizing their sovereignty. The only other
powerful chief is Datto Uttu. whose wife was the
Princess Of JOlu and is brilliant woman. II
was she who negotiated and signed the treaty OF
peace with the Span!ards She Is potent ele-
ment stability in the relations which have
and her friendship for the Americans would OF
itself prevent general outbreak
one feature OF the situation IN Mindanao which
is unknown to those who fear prolonged con-
test against the Moros Is the fact that the Span
iards the end of 1897 believed for the first
or the island. They had established strong
garrisOns manned FOR the most part by Visayan
and other loyal native troops. They had two
gunboats or the lake and the Moros We're under
military subjeCton. When the Spaniards evacu-
ated the island and the Americans were unable
the forts. and still hold them I'm the interior and
wherever Americans have no. replaced them. In
most instances. invariably along the rivers and
coast, the MOTOs have gladly Telinquished these
forts 10 American control on application, and
only around Lake Lanao has there been any re-
sistance General Davis will now clear out the
Lake Moros without much trouble. il is believed,
and will have no trouble hereafter.