The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-28

warriors assembled in great force, intent
on driving out the foreigners, destroying
their posts and so melting the already
pacified natives to renewed effort. They
wanted to make such clean sweep of
it that not an American should be left
TO boast of former conquests. Pershing
saw that the Macius meant trouble of
a serious nature, and that it was up to
him to quell the movement by diplo-
matte means or give them such thrash
ing that there would be 10 fight left in
them. He tried the former method first,
and when that failed he marched out
with a small but well-chosen force and
struck d blow before the enemy was ex-
pecting him The Macius learned that
Pershing was something more than an
administrator and a soft spoken master
of diplomacy When their scattered forces
managed to collect their wits and tn nix
things over they decided that it was bet
ter to do what the American "Datto' told
them and not to make any further at
tempts at armed resistance. They were
thoroughly demoralized as an army, but
as citizens of the province they had
to keep them in order ever since. After
making TO General Davis his modest re.
port OF the operations, Pershing return
cd quietly to his government and his
reading of the Koran.
1t is worth going far to see a council
of natives presided over by a ''Dato."
Grave and reverend seniors of the tribe
squat about Kim in formal array. while
all the village presses about on the out
skirts of the charmed circle to give re-
spectful attention to the proceedings.
The American dilivers his judgments
I'm voice that none of the gray boards
around him could equal for gravity. You
would not think. as you listen to his
measured utterances and note his stern
demeanor, that this is Pershing, the same
who only a year or two since was a CO.
tillon-lea among the gay young society
folk of Kenwood that fashionable SUI
burb Of Chicago. Yet here he is sitting in
the seats Of the mighty in this distant
isle of the broad Pacific. acting as
father to a whole district of brown-skin-
ned Mohammedans and hailed by them
as a prophet
From every corner Of Mindanao the
friendly natives come to seek judgment
and justice at the hands of this white
man whom their Sultan has honored with
the highest rightly he commands. To be
nominated Datto among these curious
little brown people is TO he virtually die
tator, with all the respect that Primo.
could command. and Pershing has even
more than the usual power of his high
place.
Datto Pershings levees are in many
respects like family meeting. When
the business of government and the de-
crees OF justice are disposed of The ma
tives come forward with their gifts to
the white man who rules them so well
Black-eyed bellies of the tribe bow
gracefully down before the Datto and
place before him fabric Of TRANCE texture
and brilliant colorinG. Old men totter
forward with arms full of luscious tropi-
cal fruit or some rude vase or jug of
their own making
Mothers with babies in arms go to him
for . word of commentator or a kindly
salutation. If ne merely looks in the face
of the child ii is sufficient 10 crafty the
parent for all time. They have a fixed
belief that the glance of the Datto car
ries with it sure presage of good fortne
hereafter.
Dattt Pershings councils held each
morning with Moro chiefs are famed
from corner to corner of Mindanao and
q continual procession of savages visits
the white mans tents. He is a coun-
sellor, guide and prophet for the entire
district and every conceivable kind Of
business, both private and public is taken
to him for adjustment
When General Davis, commanding the
Department of Mindanao and Jolo. sent
Pershin gto Iligan. he selected one of the
most efficient officers in his command to
preside over the turbulent district OF
Lake Lanoa.