Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-01
MOROS SULLEN
AND HOSTILE
SAYS TOWNE
PRESENT PERPLEXING
PROBLEM FOR AMERICA
Senators Come Back From Trip
Among Mohammedan Ma
tiveS of Philippines impressed
With Evidences of Hatred,

Manila. July S1.-"Hostility, sullen
unfriendiiness. thinly veiled and fire.
quently undisguised, Is the dominant
impression which | received through
out the Moro province" said Senator
Charles A. Towne In the course of a
description of his tour of the southern
archipelago.
Senators Towne and stone of Mis-
souri, were the guests of the governor
general on reaching here. The latter
official placed his private yacht at
their disposal.
THE Moro is a fierce fellow, and he
has no love for us" continued Senator
Towne. Centuries of Independent
with the Spaniards, during the course
OF which their piracy was somewhat
suppressed and their rule was broken
up In so far as the coast line was con-
cerned, together with an inborn reli-
gieus dislike for the lnfidels, or
whites, have left an indelible mark
on this extraordinary people who have
fallen into our hands under the gov
ernment of the Philippines. / UNDER
stand from the officers who have been
IN contact with the Moros. that there
are some who profess friendship, hut
during my trip | was told. on excel
lent authority. Of a prominent datto
who had long suppressed his hostile
feeling, when suddenly. without a mo-
ment's warning, he took to the hills
with his fetainer.- ana communicated
with the commanding officer of the
district. saying that he had received
word from Constantinople, from one
of the principal dignitaries of his
church. that any cultivation Of friend
~ relations with the Americans would
be received with high displeasure, and
that moreover, the sultan would soon
send a force to invade the United
States
He concluded his communication
by informing the American officer
that any one wanting to see him could
come out into the hills and try TO get
him. OF course, you have all heard
OF the fanatics called Juramentados,
who rush forth determined to die,
oh rpe into -rnup ~ foreigners and
Kill as many as possible before receiv-
ing the death stroke, thus earning a
high place in the Moro Paradise and
there have been many examples dur
ing the American occupation: but |
was told of a Moro boy. only thirteen
years OF age. who. rushing on an
American soldier grabbed him about
the legs and threw him, at the same
time slashing at him with his bolo
The soldier endeavorcd To defend him
self and several of his comrades came
TO his assistance and commenced fir
ing on the fanatic. who, despite nu-
merous wounds. kept on slashing at
the soldier and cut him severely. Fin
ally, an officer placed his revolver al
most at the boys head and blew out
his brains There were fourteen
wounds on that childs body and yet
he sustained his fiendish attack un-
I'll the top of his head was shot off"
Senator Stone was wearing heavy
gold seal ring, which had been pre-
scented TO him by a datto and of which
he was justly proud. The workman
shin was unique and the ring was said
TO have been made by the datto him
self. He has promised to make ano \
er one and 10 forward it in time %
reach Senator Towne at Yokohama,
where he breaks his journey on tlc
way back to the United States.
Senator stone told of a short halt NJ
the edge of Lake Lianao, while they
were waiting for the boat to he made
ready When they arrived the place
was deserted. but suddenly the Moros
began to appear, one by one, appar-
entity springing up out of the brush,
until they realized that a complete
Gordon had been quietly established.
with only the lake as an exit
II saw our little guard of soldiers
looking to their weapons and carefully
iisposing themselves around us in adj
positions. The Moros
wore clothes, or shawls, which partly
covered them. and I could see no
weapons on them; nevertheless. after
looked into their faces and saw
their expression. together with the at
fitude OF our own men, I confess that
moved toward the lake, though |
cannot imagine what particular adj
vantage I could gain by plunging into
he water. There was absolutely no !
chance Of swimming across the lake, |
and while each one Of US might have |
accounted for his man, or perhaps his !
men. In the event Of "A conflict, yet I
he Moros were so numerous that had I
hey desired they might have over /
H helmed us confess that | was /
glad when we embarked.
We got horses at Jolo and rode I
put into the foothiis near Mount Dajo, I
b- scene of the famous fight in the /
'rater. where General Woods forces I
wiped out so many MOros. and we /
were charmed" said Senator Towne, |
with zamboanga. Both Islands are
beautiful and rich looking and appar-
entity fun Of possibilities, but the sur
y people are against us. and i am 4
'fraid they present one 81 the most
iifficult problems with which our
,nvernment has ia contend.