The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-18
Secrets of the Work Done
Among the Moros BY
Capt. John ]. Pershing
and His Remarkable Per-
sonal Popularity.
Is NOW GUARDIAN,
CHIEF, AND FRIEND
Demonstrated Power of the
United States by Demol-
ishing Forts and Then
Won Moros' Affections.

Capt. John ]. Pershing, who reported
in Washington Saturday for general
staff duty, is said to be more beloved
by the Moros in Mandanao than any
other foreigner who ever lived IN the
island. Captain Pershing conquered the
Moros by force of arms. They respected
him for this, but this was not his
greatest work in the island After he
had shown the Moros the power of
American soldiery he demonstrated TO
them the desirabIlity of making peace
with the United States.
Tact marked every action of Captain
Pershing in Mindanao. He studied the
Koran, mastered the language of the
Moros and won their affection by re-
specting their customs and traditions
which in no way confiicted with the
plans for the American reorganization
Of the island.
A Signal Victory.
Captain Pershing also showed supe-
-rior Judgment when he first went among
the Moros. He was slow in taking ac-
ton and studied the situation carefully
He learned who the bad dattos were
and sent them word to get ready 10
fight, as he intended to subdue them
The dattOs built mud forts and made
extensive preparations in their primi-
tive way TO meet the attack of the
Americans
Captain Pershing sent them repeated
warnings OF the approaching conflict
and assured them they would better
make extensive preparations. Secure in
their constructions, the dattos boosted
of the defeat hey would administer TO
the Americans. Captain Pershing finally
attacked them, blew their forts to
pieces. and killed many of their soldiers.
Modern artillery made it possible for
the Americans to capture the crude
Notifications without the death of
single soldier in the United States army.
Soon Learned Lesson.
Signal defeat taught the dattos the
lesson they needed. They had made all
the preparation they could for the on
slaught and saw the hopelessness of re-
sistance 10 an army as we'll equipped
as the Americans In consequence they
decided Immediately to make peace with
the all-powerful American leader, and
Captain Pershing's path was much
smoother from that time on.
So complete was Captain Pershing's
mastery Of the situation that he was
sent troops. stripped OF officers who
ranked him that he might supervise
their movements without orders from a
superior officer. He became the conf
Dental adviser of many of the dattos
who had originally opposed him, and
even became the adopted father to the
wife of the Sultan OF Bayan at the re-
quest of that potentate.
Captain Pershing believes that all
serious trouble with the Moros is over,
and is confident that in the future any
outbreaks in Mindanao will be Of minor
Importance. Although he Is essentially
q man Of war. he believes that the doc
trine Of peace is the most efficient aid
TO the soldiery. and Will eventually bring
about harmony in the new possession.
Made Haste Slowly.
In dealing with the Moros Captain
Pershing realized the impossibility Of
forcing Western civilization upon them
with one swoop. and made the changes
as gradual as possible during his ad-
ministration- He repudiated the meth
DDS of the Spanish, who tried to convert
the natives to the Christian faith at the
point Of guns. and made 1t clear that
changes would not be radical
The result OF this policy was that he
became the referee to whom the natives
turned in their disputes. and was even
Entrusted with three children who were
orphaned by war. in addition 10 becom-
ing the adopted father TO the wife OF
the Sultan Of Bayan. One OF Captain
Pershing's wards, a girl OF twelve. mar
ried before he left the island In May
The other two children under his care
were boys One of them Is Raja- Muda
OF Cato. which means he Is heir to
sultanate and the other is Tompogao.
q bright clean little fellow who is said
by Captain Pershing 10 have the airs of
the Prince OF Wales. Tompogao will
IN Captain Pershing's opinion. be a sui
tan or a great datto before he is many
wears older