The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-04-03
MOROS MUST
Be Won OVER
Tribesmen Make
Good Friends
Then.
[Associated Press Mail special.]

| WASHINGTON, March 27.--CaptaiE
John j. Pershing, Fifteenth Infantry
who has been In command In the Morc
| country. has W tten letter under
date Of Camp Vickers, January 2Sth,
to a personal friend In the War Depart
ment in which he gives in detail many
interesting facts in connection with the
disturbances in Mindanao. Captain
Pershing says that after he was placed
in charge OF Moro affairs by General
Davis. because he apparently could get.
along with them, he worked on thu
theory that 1t Is necessary. to eetab-
fish mutual confidence between the Mo-
ros and the United States, "if we arN
to govern them without lot OF trou-
ble."
He endeavored to demonstrate to
them that the United States is their
friend, having no desire to carry them
off into slavery or to take anything be-
longing to them without paying for it
This he writes is all contrary to what
they have been accustomed to in the
past. The Spaniards and the Moros
could not get along together well. The
Mcros were very jealous of their re-
ligion and the Spaniards tried to civil
ize them by selling and baptizing some
of them. There were atrocities com
nitted on both sides as result OF
these differences.
Captain Pershng says that the Mo
ros do not realize any other kind OF
a government than a one-man power.
He says he has been able to keep all
the promises he has made, which has
enabled him to be more successful in
command of that district. They regard
him as representing the President of
America and are somewhat uneasy an
to what his successor will do. The
question of slavery is intimately con-
nected with their religion and is some
thing of vassalage or serfdom, and
not slavery known I'm this country. He
thinks it Is subject that should re-
main untouched until it is understood
better. The Moros. he writes, should
have government which they can I'M
ierstand and 1t should be the policy oil
the United States to let 1t alone, but 70
make each Sultan and Dato responsible
for the acts OF his people.
1--WE cannot afford" he says, ito tear
lnwn THAR OF n ich ne
ment without giving them something
better and I fear 1t will be long time
before this can be DONE"
The Maciu campaigns have had
effect as to the impossibility
Df any natives escaping punishment
when they commit depredations Cap
tain Pershing says the Moros havr
'ome admirable traits of character.
once friend, they all go to the limi,
'or you" they are Industrious and
rave splendid rice fields and other agri-
cultural crops. The country is capable
If great things from an agricultural
The country is somewhat
ike Mohawk Valley and the whole Dis
rist can be compared to that about
lake George.
Captain Pershing says that he be-
ieves the troops could march around
he lake now and be received In 81
friendly spirit everywhere except a.
3acolod He has a number OF reliable
ecret service Moros and they inform
lin of the conditions and feeling
mong their countrymen.
He says there are about 75,0 900 people
hat live in that region and they are
n fair way to become real friends,
lie says this Is an achievement he
would be proud OF and Is almost ready
0 promise 1t, adding though we may
ncounter some old hard headed savage
o whom we shall have to administer
severe lesson in order to teach him.
nd others, what we can do"
Captain Pershing. in conclusion, says
is the most interesting work he has
ct had in the army and he hopes to
emain and be permitted to work out
he problem.