Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

~INCE the return home to Jolo or MS
~ serene highness, Jamalul Hiram II,
Sultan Of Sulu, from his somewhat
mysterious but very enlightening visit TO
the United States last fall his highness
has been making some exceedingly ear
nest efforts to bring about several badly
needed reforms in the chain of islands
composing the Sulu archipelago OF the
Philippines over which, under the watch
full supervision of Uncle Sam. the sultan
is the nominal ruler AS yet, however,
the Sultan has been unable to suppress
entirely the juramentada or Mohamme-
dan religious fanatics, nor have our sol
diers or civil governors had much better
luck, although under the Spanish rule the
juramentada was much more in evil
dehce than now Many Spaniard seated
quietly in front of his house, his place OF
business or a cafe has had his head rip
ped from. his shoulders by charging
Moro before he was aware that danger
was approa ching. When Gen. Arolas be
came governor of Jolo, or Sulu. he made
a determined effort to prevent TINS re-
ligious slaughter, which was such NEIL
ace not only to his countrymen, but TO
all other foreigners. He issued an oroer
that all Moros must be disarmed before
being permitted to enter 4 village Wnefe
there were Christians.
A dead line was established. Outside
each gate was a company of soldiers, I'M
der orders to shoot to kill every Moro
who did not give up his arms freely.
But even with these precautions jura-
mentadas were able frequently to run
amuck and slaughter persons in Their
path.
**
On one occasion a Moro entered
town. leaving his weapon at the gate
without making objection. He was known
to the soldiers as native of peaceful
disposition, and no trouble was expected
from him. 4 little later he returned and
claimed his barong. When 1T was re-
turned to him he passed package of c.g-
arettes around as an evidence OF peace
and good WILL
Several Of the soldiers set their guns
down in order to light their cigarettes
Instantly, the Moro sprang upon them,
killed two or three and wounded others
desperately before he. could be shot down
When a Moro becomes sufficiently in
famed under the priestly ministrations to
determine upon a juramentada career he
formally announces his purpose. The
word ramentada-pconounced ''hoora-
Spanish. and means vowed
ones" the vow in question being u die
killing Christians.
Having announced his desire to take
the required VOW before his priest. the
fanatic devotes three day. to abiutiOna-
this. in itself being suspicious thing.
Then he has his eyebrows shaved off.
puts on his best clothes. usually white,
and takes his oath with sundry cere-
monies Having already arranged his
worldly affairs. he may spend a few days ,
working himself UP to a white heat of
murderous frenzy. Then some fine morn
ing, armed with the sharpest weapon he
can lay hands on, he bounds into a vii
lage Charging through the streets, cut
ting right and left. he keeps his des-
perate way until some one kills him Ma
ture seems to have implanted in these
people the taste for blood. They arc
born fighters. From the time they are
fifteen years old their weapons seldom
leave their belts except for use. Being
OF peculiarly fanatical