Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-08
AMoK IN THE PHILIPPINES.
How it is Done by the Mahometans
 in SuIu.

III 6ulus
 Tn SuIu and Mindanao amoks by Ma hometan fanatics among Moro tribes men are very common. These fellows gave the Spaniards formerly a good deal of trouble. They are now giving the American successors of the Span iards an idea of what amok running means. The Manila Times thus ham, dles some recent fanatical outbursts of this kind in that quarter: From time to time reports have come in from the southern possessions stating that some Moros have run amok." While many people will recognize the expres- sion. there are few who will know it's real significance as pertaining to the Moros. In 1900 reports frequently came from the Twenty-third infantry, the Twenty eighth and Fortieth volun- teer regiments of Moros running amok." Since the departure of these regiments for the states reports from their successors the Seventeenth in- fantry and Fifteenth cavalry, have fre- quently referred to the same class of Moros. An army officer, recently from the Sulu archipelgo, gives the following significance to the expres- sion: According to the Mahometan re- ligion, subject, no matter how tired he may be of life, cannot reach his happy hunting ground should he com init suicide These fanatics have more graceful manner of forcing death upon themselves than more civ ilized people. For example: Sulu Moro, through falling hopelessly in debt, being taken into slavery, after time sometimes become dependent and decides to shuff1e off the mortal twist. Having reached this frame of mind, he tells his troubles to the priest of his datto or chieftain, who, if he be- lieves the subject is in earnest, refers the case to the next higher authority with his approval. Thus the case goes on through official channels until it reaches the member of the court of the sultan who decides such matters. Should this dignitary approve of the supplication the subject is given a re- ligious ceremony and swears to s'die fighting" His eyebrows and parts of his head are shaved clean, and under certain conditions he is given white turban. His sword or other weapon which must have the keen edge of razor. is then examined, and if found satisfactory he starts out on the pre- ScrlDeQ mission or DlO0Q leILlng. A great factor in the happiness in the fu- ture world is his horse that he will re- ceive after death. Its size will be large or small, according 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 dangerous character, particularly to Americans and Europe ans, though Chinese, being of lighter skin than himself, often become his vic tims. 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 Ameri- can soldiers, but one person has been injured by these f1ends, and his recov- cry is assured New York Tribune.