Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-28
WITH THE M0ROS.
Capt. Pershing Has Interesting
Experience With Natives.
Will Need Military Rule for Years,
but Will Eventually Be Friendly.
Commissioner ldes Arrives at San
Francisco on Visit Home.

Washington, March 27.-Capt. John
j. Pershing, 18th Inf, who has been in
command of the Moro country, has
written a Letter under date of Camp
Vickers, Jan. rs, to a personal friend in
the war department in which he gives
IN detail many interesting facts in con-
nection with the disturbances in Min
danao. Captain Pershing says that af-
ter he was placed in charge of Moro
affairs by General Davis, because he
Pershing) apparently could get along
With them, he worked on the theor,
that it is necessary to establish mutual
confidence between the Moros and the
United States IF We are to govern
them without lot of trouble
He endeavored to demonstrate to
them that the United. States is their
friend, having no desire to carry them
off into slavery or to take anything be-
longing to them without paying for it.
This, he writes, is all contrary to what
they have been accustomed to in the
past. The Spaniards and the Moros
could not get along together. The
Moros were very jealous of their relig
ion, and the Spaniards tried to civilive
them by Selling and baptizing some
of them. There We're atrocities COM
United on both sides as a result OF
these differences.
Captain Pershing says that the
Moros do not realize any other kind of
a government than one-man power.
He says he has been able to keep all
the promises he has made, a fact which
has enabled him to be successful in
command of that district. They regard
him as representing the President of
America and are somewhat uneasy as
to what his successor will do. The
question of slavery is intimately con-
nected with their religion and is some
thing of a vassalage of serfdom and
rot slavery as known in this country.
He thinks it is a subject that should.
remain untouched until it is understood
better. The MoroS, he writes, should
have a government which they can
understand and it should be the policy
of the United States to let it alone. but
to make each Sultan and datto re-
sponsible for the acts of the people.
I'VE cannot afford, he says" to tear
down their established form of govern
ment without giving them something
better and I fear it will be a long time
before this can be done.
Tine Maciu campaigns have had a
convincing effect as to the impossiblity
of any natives escaping punishment
when the commit depredations. Capt.
Pershing says the Moros have some adj
mirable traits of character. "Once a
friend they will go to the limit for
you" They are industrious and have
splendid rice fields and other agricul-
tural crops. The country is capable of
great things from an agricultural
standpoint The country is somewhat
like the Mohawk valley and the whole
district can be compared to that about
Lake George. %
Capt. Pershing says that he believes
the troops could march around the lake
now and be received in friendly spirit
everywhere except at Bacalod. He has
a number of reliable secret service
Moros and they inform him Of the con-
ditions and feelings among their coun-
trymen.
He says there are about $4,000 people
that live in the region and they are in
fair way to become real friends. He
says this is an achievement he would
be proud of and is almost ready to
promise it, adding though we may
encounter some old hard headed savage
to whom we shall have to administer a
severe lesson in order to teach him and
others what we can do
Capt. Pershing in conclusion says it
is the most interesting work he has
had yet in the army and he hopes 10 |
remain to be permitted to work out TIE |
problem. He thinks that military
government for long time to come is |
the only one for the Moros.