The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-06-07

1000 in all, are opposing the armies
Of the Mexican republic in the vain
hope of saving their race from ex-
termination; for it 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 it's resources to the
full, and it's semicivilized incumbents
are not to be allowed for sentimental
or other reasons to play the dog in the
manager. They must get off the track
of the car of progress.
From 1882 to 1890 long, hard war
was waged between the Yaquis and
the soldiers Of Diaz, ending with the
trail lands. Their loss was frightful,
but theih spirit was unbroken. And the
fight was not so one sided as had been
their battles with the Spanfards 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-
fore the truce came.
After this war the Yaquis returned
to peaceful cultivation of the soil.
They arc primarily peaceful people.
but resent encroachnent upon their
rights. The gold and silver of their
mines continued to tempt the prospect
or, and the prospector met with the
usual fate. Then the troops of the gov
eminent 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 Apaches, 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 privation better than their op-
ponents. With a small leathern can
teen and loaf of pinole, 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 Yaeui atroc-
tiles, but these are not well authenti-
Gated. If they kill prisoners they are
placed against a wall and given a
quick and merciful death.
The Yaquis are not nomads, like the
Apaches. They have their focks, herds,
mills and mines and q simple
civilization Nof their own. which they
have maintained through all their
wars. In times of peace they seek
in the mines and mills of
their oppressors and have been re-
garded 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
flock to the rendezvous to prepare for
battle. The Yaquis appreciate the
value of discipline; they have SO often
fought well drilled troops They have
an organization. with head chief and
subchiefs, scouts and commissaries. and
almost impregnable mountains to fall
back upon.
In the great Mexican revolution,
when the foundations Of the republic
were laid, the Yaquis fought side by
side with the Mexican soldiers against
the arms Of Macmillan, and in the
invasion by the United States the va
quits made up no small part of the de-
Tending armies. Many noted generals
have sprung from their ranks. Their
loyalty was unquestioned while they
were allowed to possess their own
beautiful country unmolested.
JOSEPH L. MORTON.