The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-06-11

1000 in ALL are opposing the armies
of the Mexican republic In the vain
hope of saving their race from ex-
termination: for 1t is a war of exter-
mination. The Yaqui valley, one of the
richest sections of the whole republic,
Is coveted by those who have under
their hands all the means known to sci
ence for developing its resources to the
full, and It's semicivilized incumbents
are not to be allowed for sentimental
or ether reasons to play the dog In the
manger. They must get of the track
Of the car of progress. =#s-:54
From 1882 to 1890 a long, hard war
was waged between the Yaquis and
the soldiers Of Diaz, ending with the
Indians still In control of their ances-
trail lands. Their loss was frightfuI,
but theirs spirit was unbroken. And the
fight was not so one sided as had been
their battles with the Spaniards 400
years before. They had learned the
use of the modern rife and with SNUG
gled and captured arms and ammuni-
ton had cut down 10000 Mexicans be-
TORE the truce came. r %z=s S5E@
After this war the Yaquis returned
to peaceful cultivation of the soil.
They are primarily a peaceful people.
but resent encroachment upon their
rights. The gold and silver of their
mines continued to tempt the prospect
or, end the prospeetor met with the
usual fate Then the troops Of the gov
ernment came to restore ORDER and
the Indians rose in force. In 1898 the
present conflict began and has contin-
ued internationally to the present time
The Yaquis are supposed to belong to
the family of the Apaehes., but are
greatly the superior of the latter in
personal bravery, while possessing all
their strategic qualities. Their braves
compose the finest body of light infan-
try in the world and are able to travel
farther and faster than the Mexicans
on horseback. They are also able to
undergo prfvation better than their OPP
ponents. With a small leathern can
teen and loaf of pinele, a. bread of
corn meal mixed with sugar and spices,
and his rifle the Yaqui is equipped for
the field with three days rations. His
spies are everywhere.
Many stories are told of Yaaui atroc-
tiles, but these are not well authenti-
Gated. If they kill prisoners they are
placed against. wall and given a
quick and mereifu1 DEATH
The Yaquis are not nomads, like the
Apaches. They have their focks, herds.
ranches, mills and mines and simple
civilization Of their own, which they
have maintained through all their
wars. In times of peace they seek
employment in the mines and mills of
their oppressors and have been re-
sarded as excellent Werkmen. but the
money they earn there generally goes
for the purchase of munitions of war,
and at the call of their commander In
chief, as the Scottish highlanders were
gathered when the flaming brand was
carried through their Businesses, they
dock to the rendezvous to prepare for
battle. The Yaquis appreciate the
value of discipline; they have SO often
fought well drilled troops. They have
IN organization, with head chief and
'ubchiefs. scouts and eommissaries, and
almost fmpregnable mountains to fall
back upon.
In the great Mexican revolution,
when the foundations Of the republic
we're laid, the Yaquis fought side by
'ide with the Mexican soldiers against
he arms of Macmillan. and in the
INVASION by the United States the va
luis made up no small part Of the de-
ending armies. Many noted generals
nave sprung from their ranks. Their
eyalty was unquestioned while they
we're allowed to possess their own |
beautiful country unrnolested.
JOSEPH L. MORTON.
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