The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-30
TOWhE FINDS THE
MOROS HOSTILE
New York Congressman, Now
at Manila, Says They Pre-
sent a Serious Problem.
SHOW DISLIKE FOR WHITES
INSTANCES GIVEN OF TEMPER
OF NATIVES.

Manila. Hostility, sullen I'M
friendliness, thinly yelled and fire.
quently undisguised, is the dominant
impression which I received through
out the Moro province" said Charles
A. Towne in the course of a descrip-
ton of his tour of the southern archi-
pelago.
Congressman Towne and Senator
Stone of Missouri 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 u.s." continued Mr..
Towne. Centuries of independent
rule and scores of years of conflict
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 Unborn relig-
ious dislike for the infdels, or whites,
have left an indelible mark on this ex-
traOrdinary people who have fallen
into our hands under the government
of the Philippines. 1 understand from
the officers who have been in contact
with the MorOs. that there are some
who profess friendship, but during my
trip l was told, on excellent authority,
of a prominent Datto who had long
suppressed his hostile feeling, when
suddenly, without a moments warn
ing, he took to the hills with his re-
tanners and communicated with the
commanding officer of the district,
saying that he had received word from
Constantinople. from one of the prin-
cipal dignitaries of his church, that
any cultivation Of friendly relations
with the Americans would be received
with high displeasure, and that, more
over. the sultan would soon send a
force to invade the United States.
Dattoes Retreat to Hills.
He concluded his communication by
informing the American officer that
anyone 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. charge
into a group of foreigners and kill as
many as possible before receiving the
death stroke, thus earning a high place
in the Moro paradise, and there have
been many examples during the Amer
lean occupation; but I was told OF
Moro boy, only 10 years OF age, who,
rushing on an American soldier
grabbed him about the legs and threw
with his bOlO- The soldier endeavored
TO defend himself and several of his
comrades came to his assistance and
commenced firing on the fanatic, who.
despite numerous wounds, kept on
slashing at the soldier and cut him
severely. Finally. an officer placed his
-sVOlVer almost at the boys head and
blew out his brains. There were four
teen wounds on that child's body, and
OF he I I .
until the top of his head was shot off
Senator Stone was wearing a heavy
gold seal ring, which had been present
ed to him by DattO, and of which he
was justly proud. The workmanship
was unique and the ring was said to
have been made by the Datto him
self. He had promised to make an
other one and to forward il in time to
reach Mr.. Towne at Yokohama, where
he breaks his journey on the way back
to the United States.
Senator Stone told of sncrt
halt at the edge of Lake Llanao
while they were waiting for the boat
TO be made ready. When they arrived
the place was deserted, but suddenly
the Moros began to appear, one by one
apparently springing up out of the
brush, until they realized that a COM
plete Gordon mad been quietly estab-
lished' with only the lake as an exit.
Soldiers Always Ready.
Il saw our little guard of soldiers
looking to their weapons and carefully
dispOsing themselves around US in ad-
vantageOus positions. The MOros wore
clothes, or shawls, which partly COW
cred them, and I could see no weapons
on them; nevertheless, after I looked
into their faces and saw their express
sion, together with the attitude of our
own men. 1 confess that I moved to-
ward the lake. though l cannot irnag-
Inc what particular advantage 1 could
gain by plunging into the 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 the Moros were so numer-