Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-14
SAYS INDIANS
ARE M|STREATED
MINING ENGINEER TELLS OF
| YAQUI WAR
William T. cimo Asserts That Mineral
Riches and Opportunities In Mex
leo Are Greatly Over
estimated

1.-THE awful murder of American and
Mexican miners by the Yaqui Indians
Is the result Of the severe treatment of
the Indians by the Mexican govern
ment. Although the carnage may cease
for a time, the crimes will not be wiped
out wholly until the Mexican govern
ment recognizes the Indians as human
beings and treats them accordingly"
This statement was made yesterday
by William 7. Climo, q mining en-
gineer, guest at the Hollenbeck hoteI,
who has spent five months in Mexico
investigating properties for the Shan
non Copper company and several east
ern and European mining companies.
During that time he has travelled
under armed guards through the Yaqui
Indian country and become thoroughly
acquainted with the conditions which
have brought about the tremendous
sacrifice of human lives by the Indian
outlaws.
Indians Are Mistreated
To a great extent Mr. Climo is in
sympathy with the Indians cause, and
says he has it direct from officials of
the Mexican government located at
Hermosillo that 1t is the Mexican gov
ernment's fault that the murders are
committed.
"I have talked with government off,
cials at Hermosillo and with Mexicans
throughout the country which I ira
versed. They declare that when the
Mexican government will recognize the
Indians as human beings and treat
them accordingly, the numbering will
cease.
1.-THE Mexicans tell me that an In
dian when seen in the different cities
is compelled by the citizens to walk in
the street and they force him bodily
into it. An Indian is nothing more than
dog to the Mexicans.
Sympathize With Indians
"It is true that the Mexican govern
ment has sent the militia out into the
Yaqui Indian country to stop the mur-
ders of the miners who come there. 1t
is almost useless to send the militia
out, because the soldiers of the MeXi-
can troops are made up of the Grim
inals of the country, who have not
the slightest interest in the country's
welfare.
"Under these circumstances it is
natural for the troops to sympathize
with the Indians, and rather than stop
the murders assist them. 1 do not be-
lieve that the troops are responsible
for the murders. They simply do not
interfere with the Indians.
"There is apparently no effort made
to gain the love of the Indians. 1t
seems to be a game where the sooner
they are rid Of them, the better they
will like it. When some of the Indians
are captured they are shipped to an
island where they are allowed to live
the best they can.
No Way to Escape
"Once on this island and there is
no means of escape for them. The only
4 Il. 4, sesE s-
the fish they can catch. I do not know
where this island is, but have been
told 1t is far from the mainland Death
for the Indians is the only future to
which they may look forward.
"a great many of the Indians are
captured and placed in the jails. At
present the jails are full. When this is
the case there comes the wedding out
and shipping them to this island.
There is absolutely no chance for the
Yaqui Indians. There is no evidence
against many of the prisoners. Prejudice
seems to predominant.
"The Indians do not wish to kill the
whites. But there are so many whites
among the Mexican troops that when
the latter are seen the whites as well
as the Mexicans are murdered. The
hatred of the Indians is wholly against
the MeXicans.
Offers a Solution
"In my opinion, and in the opinion
of many Of the Mexicans, the solution
of the whole problem lies with better
treatment of the Indians by the Mexi-
can government The quicker this is
DONE the quicker will the awful
slaughter stop"
Mr.. Climos mission in Mexico is that
of a purchasing agent and investigator
ffr nfr1ff1 mil tterf1-
out the United States and in London.
He says he has at his command hun
dreds of thousands of dollars to start
the operation of mines whenever he
finds promising ground.
st have been disappointed very much
in my search. There is so little truth
in the golden reports that come from
Mexico that it is doing great deal
of harm to American capitalists. T can
account for 1t only in one way: there
are so many outlaws that make their
way into Mexico who take up mining
as a chance to make a little money.
Reports are circulated of the great
wealth of the country and the capi-
talists are misled.
Endures Great Hardship
after a criminal has remained in
Mexico for a time he can safely make
his way into the United States with
out danger. Hence the falsified reports
of the enormous wealth. My investiga-
tions have covered very extensive
field, but in only one place did find
property that would pay any of my
companies to invest in and develop.
This was located in Sonora"
Much hardship was endured by Mr..
Chino in making his last investigation
trip through Mexico. At one time he
was twenty-three days in the saddle.
making from thirty to fifty miles per
day in that manner.
Water was found only in chuck holes.
These are often more than seventy
five miles apart and water must be
carried from one place to another. In
the five months that Mr. Climo Travelled
through Mexico he covered more than
5000 miles. He was escorted by eight
armed guards, whom, he says, served
him most faithfully. Besides himself
there were three other prospectors,
making twelve in the party.
Says Riches overestimated
In many places there were slightly
promising grounds, but the owners of
them were so unreasonable in their