Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-05
Rifle Makes Menace
Of Moro, Says Pershing
BELIEVES PEOPLE ARE
NEARER PACIFICATION
THAN THEY EVER WERE
BrigadierzgeneraI, Well Vers-
ed in Conditions in Southern
Philippines, Local Visitor

"a Nero with a rife, and Moro
minus a rife, are two very different
men. Take away the rife, and you
take away the menace, to a large ex-
tent.
So said rigad.er-general John j.
Perehing. homeWard bound after a
tour in the Moro country, when seen
at army headquarters this morning.
General Pershing is the ranking pas
senger on the Sherman, which sailed
at noon today for the coast, after
"a hour stay in port
General Pershing probably knows
mere about the situation, political,
military and social-in the southern
islands CT the Philippines than any
| one else in the service of Uncle Sam,
for he has served two tours of four
years each in the Moro country, the
first as military governor of MindaI
mao, and the second as civil governor
and department commander combin.
cd
Governor Is Satisfactory
Il believe that the Moros are near
er to pacification and prosperity than
ever before" continued the general.
only some very foolish move, which
might antagonize the people by stirr-
ing them to religious frenzy, will
check the peaceful development of the
province under the new civil govern
ment planned for it.
1.-The removal of the American
troops will not affect business condi-
tions for the worse, because their
places are being taken by Scouts.
many of whom have families to sup
port, and who distribute their money
more. The American soldier, as a
rule, either saved his pay against his
return home, or else spent it if
amusements which did not help legi.
innate business. There is great sat
lsfaetion over the appointment of
Frank w. Carpenter as the first civil
governor and the people are predict
ing a very successful administration. I.
General Pershlng had nothing to
say Of the Philippine policy of the
present administration anda did not
care to discuss politics. Hesdid saw,
however, that In his opinion the pres.
ent three-year tour in the islands was
too long. and that if any change is
contemplated, II, should be to cut Il
rather than Slengthen it. -
Achievement of Pershing Z
Possibly the most striking achieve.
ment OF General Pershing has been
the disarmament of the Moros. Prior
70 1911, though an attempt had been
made to locate all firearms among the
M Mohammedan population, no restric-
tlons whatsoever were placed upon
the possession and carrying of those
long knfves--kriseS, barongs. kampi-
lans-Which in the hands of Moros
are more deadly than rifles. The bear
Ing OF cutting weapons was a sign of
nobility among these men of Islam.
The datu, accompanied by his re.
ta1ners bearing aloft those keen blades
with handles of ivory or goa, many of
theh being priceless heirfooms, be-
I1eVed himself in possession of the in.
sigma of sovereign power-compar
able to the axe borne before the Ro-
man consul. Indeed, in the bygone
days OF datu rulers, the knives did
represent to the masses of the people
the power of life and death in no fig.
urative sense. Disarmament meant,
therefore, Eot only increased personal
security and the removal of continual
temptation to brawl and murder it
meant the breaking down of the last
existing barrier to the full recognition
OF American sovereignty.
Bought Up Firearms
In 1911 General Pershing issued an
executive order prohibiting the DOS
session of firearms, and the carrying
CT cutting and thrusting weapons. The
Mo-cs were offered fair compensation
for firearms turned in by December
l, I'll. After that date coercion was
employed where necessary, and the
Gesultory resistance of the Sulus cuL
minated in the battle Of Bagsak, on
June 11th last About 1000 firearms
have been taken up since disarma-
ment proceedings began and resist
ance to the measure is practically at
an er.!. The disarmament order has
now been enforced. and outlaw bands
run TO earth in the five districts of
the Moro province. 1t may be tlHth-
fully said that the peace which now
prevails in this province is more pro-
found tan the territory has ever
known since the ancestors of its war
like tIibesmen landed on these shores
far anterior to the dawn of history.
General and Mrs. Pershing were en-
tertained last night at a reunion din
ner given at the University club by the
generals classmates of West Point,
So These inCluve Majors Smith. Har-
demann, al Penn, and Lieutenant-col-
Onel Hirst. The last-named. however,
vas unable to be present. Those who
sat at the dinner table last night, and
who thoroughly enjoyed the evening
OF "reminiscences were General and
Mrs. Pershing, Lieutenant-colOnel and
Mrs. Menoher, -Iajor and Mrs Harde-
mann, Major and Mrs. Smith, Major
and Mrs. Preston and Major Penn.
Classmates Entertain
General Pershing called on Generals
Funston and Macomb this morning,
arl renewed acquaintance among
many old friends here, there be- k a
Ia dalooafinY Of GahnfioId - I Inf