The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-01
GUERRILLA WARS HAVE
 COST MEXICO S5O,OOO,OOO
Indians Have Come to Terms and Will Now Break From Tribes and Live PeaceabIy as Mex
 ican Citizens.
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

pr A AFF CORRESPONDENT.
 Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico, May 3l.-- After a war which has continued inter- ;nittently for more than 120 years, the Yaqui nation, as a nation, is about to suffer the throes of dissolution, to sever tribal relations. and it's members are to settle down into peaceable and law-abid- ing Mexican citizens Originally number ing 10000 or more people they have never yet acknowledged the authority of the Mexican government, but the end Is fast coming and the Yaqui nation will soon he thing of the past.
 Although Christianized by the Spanish fathers, they steadfastly refused to &C., cept the dominion of Spain and as sol- diers in the Revolutionary army ma terially aided in driving the Spaniards from the country and in later years against the armies of the republic they stubbornly maintained their freedom. When at peace they enjoyed all the rights and privileges accorded to other citizens of Mexico, but their fealty to tribal relations was never broken The sovereignty of the ''Yaqui country" they conceded to no one. If beaten by armies
 
 tains of Bacatete and waged guerilla war fare Quarter was neither asked nor given and the innocent on both sides suffered with the guilty. When exhaust ed by long struggles, there have been | intervals of peace, but under the then l existing conditions, these could not be lasting, and the first overt act on the part of the Indians or the government led to other bloody and determined strug- gles.
 Rights of Yaquis.
 Prior to the accession of Porfirio Diaz to the presidency of the republic, t5e rights of the Yaquis to levy tribute on the commerce of the Yaqui river was recognized by the governments of Mexico end but for the thrush of Americans, It is probable that such a condition of things would have existed unchallenged today. The Yaqui country is rich in nat rral advantages. In minerals, In agri- culture, in home making, 1t is probably surpassed by no spot in the great south- west To the Anglo-Saxon adventurer, the great possibilities afforded by The country could not be overlooked.
 Old Sam Brannen was given a grant to the valley but the government could not deliver the goods and he died of ol6 ago without changing the status quo. Bran nen's mantle fell on other shoulders, some Mexican, some American Deeds of vio- lence that would shame pagan were per- petrated against the Indians and they re- piled in like measures. The national as well as the state governments became in volved and then ensued the long struggle which is about to end.
 Asked for Peace.
 On May r. last, Luis Bule, head of the Yaqui nation, asked for a conference ,s..I. lA of hls followers he was met in the Baca- tete mountains by Col Jose Gonzales Sales and other officers of the Mexican army. The conference lasted three hours and is believed to have paved the way to a lasting peace. In the end terms &C., eeptabe to both parties were agreed upon These provide uncondition submission of the Yaquis to the authority of the govern ment; that the lives and property of the Indians be respected, and they be pro- tected in all the rights and privileges ac- corded Mexican citizens under existing laws, provided however, that for the tim. being they must not go north of Ures; that all arms and ammunition of war in the hands of the Indians be delivered to the military authorities; that emissaries should be sent to the different Yaqu bands, advising them to cease hostilities and deliver up their arms and that the government provide all necessities for the submitting Indians until such time as work can be provided for them.
 Date of Settlement.
 Chief Bule in expressing himself as satisfied with the terms proposed, said be believed his people would accept them If enough time was given to unite all fanilcs and parties so as to present themselves in a body. He fixed June 1S as the date upon which the united peo- pie would present themselves for ratifi- cation of the terms of settlement.
 That the Indians are acting in good faith is evidenced by the surrender of bands to the different authorities, sev- eral already having given themselves up. The authorities are taking no chances and are preparing for eventualities on June 15 in case any should occur.
 The cost of the prolonged warfare to beth Indians and the government, as well as to the residents of the district in which it has been waged, has been tremendous. The loss of life can never be computed, hut it is known to be enormously large and the loss in property will, it is be- 1,arad aa Silr raacb S5n m OOO