Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-06-30
YAQU| Indians
PUT FEAR into
CARRANzISTAS
De Facto Troops Reluctant
to Undertake Campaign
Against Savages.

Correspondence of the Associated Press)
Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, June 20.
Reports from outlying districts in
dicate renewed activity on the part
of the Yaqui Indians. This has been
anticipated by those familiar with
conditions in Sonora because the cam
paign inaueurated by the de facto
government in January for the pnr-
pose of Kidding the country OF the
Yaquis has not as yet been a sue
cess.
Approximately 1000 troops were
modified under General Dieguez to
drive the Indians from their strong
holds in the Bacatetebe mountains,
but the soldiers were poorly equipped
for the undertaking. They lacked
discipline, organization and spirit,
and although the Mexican government
may have desired an aggressive cam
paign the local leaders AMI men Lad
no intention of taking the offensive
against the savages whose fighting
ability is well known throughout the
republic. Like the Apache tribes OF
Arizona, the Yaquis have committed
the most fiendish atrocities. Fol
this reason the troops fear to oper-
ate against the warriors.
The strength of the Indians is not
accurately known. but is estimated as
being about 10000, of which approx
mately 1000 are we'll armed fighting
men. This force generally operates
in bands of so to 100 or more which
make swift and unexpected raids upon
outlying ranches and villages during
the harvest season and at other times
if their food supply happens to run
low as is the case at the present
time. Spies are maintained through
out the farming districts who keep
the tribe well informed and assist in
the raids.
Resemble Carranza Troops.
The Indians dress as do the poems
with shirt and trousers of faded blue
denim or khaki, usually the latter as
it is more easily procurable, for
many Yaquis have served in the rev.
armies. A large straw
hat. not unlike that worn by north
ern farmers, with brim turned down,
protects them from the sun and con-
eeals their identity when necessary;
and their feet are protected from the
rough country by leather sandals
yuarachos, as they are called.
This similarity of garb makes it
,uish parties of Indians from troops
If the de facto government and as
result bands have been able to en-
err towns before their identity was
discovered. For example, the town
# Sauz, Sonora, was raided last year.
he inhabitants saw the mounted
ody approaching with trumpets
and drums ruffling, but
was thought that an expected de-
achment of troops was arriving. Not
ntil the Indians were actually in
he town was it realized what had
appcncd Men, women and children
yere forced out of their homes and
riven to the town plaza where all
yere stripped Terrified and helpless
hey stood while the savages packed
he clothing, looted the houses, gath
red in the horses and mules, and
ode off unmolesteG with four O.. the
Dung girls.
Carry on Americans Wife.
The Mexican wife and family of an
John Lehr, were carried
If by the Indians during a raid upon
he town of Suaque Grande during
November of last year after the IT.
'ear-old son had been killed. but
hese captives were released last
month when the Indians We're forced
o abandon one of their many water
loles upon the unexpected approach
If a vastly superior force of Mexican
roops.
Want of food and clothing causesI
he Indians to make their forays and
or this reason the productive lands
If the American settlement south of
he Yaqui river have been subjected
o many costly incursions which have
aid waste most of that region andl
'orced the majority of the settlers tol
.badon their farms and return, in
many cases penniless, to the United
States.
Late information indicates that thel
indians are now operating to the
lorthward in the vicinity of Ortiz, al
small town on the Southern Pacific
abroad, 80 miles north of Guaymas.