The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-05-15
AM0K IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Fanatical Outbursts of the Moro
Tribesmem in the Different
Groups of Islands.

In Sulu and in Mindanao amoks bv
Mohametan fanatics among Moro
trlbesmen are common. These
fellows gave the Spaniards formerly
good deal of trouble. They are
now giving the American successors
OF the Spaniards an idea of what
amok running means. The Manila
Times thus handles some recent
fanatical outbursts of this kind in
that quarter: From time to time
reports have come in from the south
ern possessions stating that some
Moros have run amok." While many
people will recognize the expression,
there are few who know it's real sig
nlficance as pertaining to the Moros.
In 1900 reports frequently came from
the Twenty-third infantry, the Twen-
ty-eighth and Fortieth volunteer reg
1ments of Moros running amok" "
Since the departure of these regi-
ments for the states reports from
their successors, the Seventeenth in
fantry and Fifteenth cavalry, have
frequently referred to the same class
of Moros. An army officer, recently
from the Sulu archipelago, gives the
following significance to the express
sion: According to the Mahometan
religion, subject, no matter how
tired he may be of life, cannot reach
his happy hunting ground should he
commit suicide. These fanatics have
more graceful manner of forcing
death upon themselves than more
civilized people. For examples: A
sulu Moro, through falling hopeless
ly in debt, being taken in slavery,
after time sometimes becomes de-
spondent and decides toshuffle off the
mortal twist. Having reached this
frame of mind, he tells his troubles
to the priest of his datto or chieftan,
who, if he believes the subject is in
earnest, refers the case to the next
higher authority with his approval,
Thus the case goes on through "offi-
cial channels" until it reaches the
member of the court of the sultan
who decides such matters. Should
this dignitary approve of the suppli-
cation, the subject is given a religious
ing" His eyebrows and parts of his
head are then shaved clean, and I'M
der certain conditions he is given a
white turban. His sword, or other
weapon, which must have the keen
edge of a razor, is then examined,
and if found satisfactory he starts
out on the prescribed mission of
blood letting. A great factor in the
happiness in the future world is his
horse that he will receive after death.
It's size will be large or small, accord
ing to whether he Stays many or few,
and its color light or dark, depending
upon the color of his victims. He,
of course, desires large white horse.
Thus 1t may be seen that he is a
dangerous character, particularly to
Americans and Europeans, though
Chinese, being of lighter skin than
himself, often become his victims.
He prefers the lighter blood, but does
not hesitate to deal the death blow
to other human beings, even to his
fellow tribesmen, if this coveted
blood is not to be had, figuring, no
doubt, that in the world to come he
will be better off with a small dark
horse than with no steed at all. Dur
ing the last year five Moros have run
amok in Jolo, the chief town of Sulu.
Thanks to the alertness of the Amer
lean soldiers, but one person has been
injured by these fiends, and his re-
cOyery is assured