Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-28
MOROS BECOMING PACIFIED
Captain Pershing Writes Of the Conditions
Prevailing Among Them.
SAYS THEY ARE NOT At ALL wARLlKE
BeEinnins 20 Have Great Respect and
Regard for America, but Gov
ernment should Not he
Changed Yet.

WASHINGTON, March 81 Captain John
c. Pershlng, Fifteenth Infantry, who has
been In command in the Moro country, has
written a letter under date OF Camp Wick
ers, January 2S to a personal friend In the
War department, In which he gave In de-
tail many interesting facts In connection
with the disturbances In Mindanao.
Captain Pershing says that after he was
placed in charge Of Moro by General Davis
because he (Pershing) apparently could get
along with them. he worked on the theory
that 1t is necessary to establish mutual
confidence between the Moros and the
United States, III we are TO govern them
without a lot of trouble"
He cndeavored to demonstrate to them
that the United States is their friend, hav-
ing no desire to carry them of into slavery
or to take anything belonging to them
without paying for it. This, he writes,
is all contrary to what they have been ac-
customed to in the past. The spaniards
and the Moros could not get along together
we'll. The Moros we're very jealous Of their
religion and the Spaniards tried to eivillze
them by seizing and baptizing some OF
them. There were atrocities committed on
both sides as a result of these differences.
Able to Keep His Promises.
Captain Pershing says that the Moros do
not realize any other kind OF 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 presi-
dent Of America, and are somewhat uneasy
as to what his successor will do.
The question of slavery 10 intimately
ntad xrytt fhasr OH ia
thing of q vassalage or serfdom, and not
slavery, as known in this country. He
thinks 1t subject that should remain un-
touched until 1t Is understood better.
The Moros, he writes, should have a
government which they can understand,
and 1t should be the policy Of the United
States to let II alone, but to make each
sultan and datto responsible for the acts
of his people. I'VE cannot AFFORD" he says.
"to tear down their established form Of
government without giving them something
better, and / fear 1t will be a long time
before this can be done"
Once n Friend Always One.
The Maciu campaign has had convinc-
ing effect as to the impossibility of natives
escaping punishment when they commit
d relations. Captain Pershing says the
Moros have some admirable traits OF char
acter. "Once a friend they all go to the
limit for you" They are industrious and
have splendid rice fields and other agricul-
| tural crops. The country is capable of
great things from an agricultural STAN
point. The country is somewhat like the
Mohawk valley and the whole district can
be compared to that about Lake George.
Captain Pershing says that he believes
| the troops could march around the lake
now and be received in a friendly spirit
| everywhere except at Bacolod. He has 6
number Of reliable secret service Moros
and they inform him OF the conditions and
feelings among their countrymen.
Military Government the Best.
He says there are about $4,000 people that
! live in that region and they are in a fair
way to become real friends. He says this
is an achievement he would be proud of, and
| is almost ready TO promise It, adding:
Though we may encounter some old hard
headed savage to whom we shall have to ad-
minister a severe lesson, in order to teach
him and others what we can do"
Captain Pershing, in conclusion, says IL
is the most interesting work he has yet had
in the army and he hopes to remain and be
permitted to work out the problem. He
thinks that a military government for 8
long time to come is the only one for the
! Moros.