The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-28
PRINCE FROM
]. 5. AMERICA
How "Datto" ParShing Rules
Natives
Low AND OBEY HIM
Wonderful Power of American
in Philippines
Low AND OBEY HIM

Manila, May 27-There is an American
in PARKWAY Sulu to whom the natives
bow down as to a god. In sincere vene-
ration these bright-eyed, brown-skinnad
earnest little men bear gifts TO lay at his
feet and when he deigns smile they
think it ample recompense for all their
pains
It is one of the strangest sights of this
green. palm-shaded isle to see "Datto"
Pershing upon the judgment seat in his
great tent. quoting the Jaw of the Koran
TO a rapt audience Of haIf-ciad natives,
whose chief tent Of faith, there is one
god and Mohammed is his prohpet," has
been amended TO include the further ere
DO and a Pershing reside all the right.
majesty and dominion Of the Powers
that Be"
That this man Perhing has brains is an
unusual degree and that he possesses
physical strength and as commanding
officer in Iligan represents the military
forces Of the United States are not the
things upon which his power depends.
Though important espugh in them
selves, these have no great influence upon
the minds OF the Moros. To them the
captains rough. wen-worn khaki uniform
plain as a gUnnysack and equally devoid
OF ornament, means almost nothing. He
can scarcely claim the usual regard
which Caucasians inspire among the ISL
ands by reason Of this white skin. For
'Datto" Pershing's skin is tanned by
sun and wind to the hue Of old leather,
stature one might almost take him for a
native.
The two things that have made Perish
ing eminent are his learned respect for
the Koran and his title of ''Datto." The
former aided him to achieve the latter,
for 1t was on the request of a few wise
men of the tribes that the Sultan con-
ferred the title upon this Yankee officer.
Being Datto in Sulu is nearly as inn
portant as sitting upon the throne itself.
This "Datto" has full power over the
lives and property of those in his dis
trict of Lake Laona, and so well has he
yielded the authority vested In him that
his prestige has increased wonderfully
among all the neighboring tribes.
BY common report this army officer
is the ideal administrator among all Off
cials in the Philippines, holding his sub
5ects in check not by display of force,
but through the respect which he in
spires on all sides In the army they
give him credit for having kept the North
Lake Moros from joining the rebeIlious
forces in Mindanao solely by the force of
his logic and influence of his strong char
acter Indeed. the influence of Pershing
is such Shat he never demands protec-
zion of American troops when making
his periodic tours through the region I'M
der his command.
often enough there may be hostilities
brewing at some village nearby land or
binary prudence would caution him to
Iake a stron gescort. Though fully &C
uuainted with the seeming perils-which,
IN his position-this officer yet scorns
TO avail himself of protection from rifles
and bayonets
Under the very gates of Bacolod. the
stronghold Of all the hostile savages.
Per hing viii venture unconditionally
with a mere handful of men as his es-
cort He SAYS that he runs no danger.
Apparently his judgment on this point is
better than that of the officers who have
warned his again and again to be more
careful OF his safety.
Yet when il seems TO the "Datto" that
a nappeal to the sword is necessary he
and dispatch.
There was a formidable rising last Sep
sealber Of the Moros Of Mociu. These