Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-16
THE TERRORS OF sONORA-THE YAOUIs
BY FREDERIC J. HAsk1S

WASHINGTON, D. c.. June l5.-Lat-
est dispa tchcs from Mexico tell us that
the Yaquis have risen again. They
are not threatening American life and
property this time. SO far as la known,
because all Americans are supposed to
have left the district. But only a few
months ago two American warships.
one OF them a first class cruiser, wero
sent to the west coast Of Mexico to
defend American interests against va
Iui depredations. The present rising
is leaving It's usual trail OF dcstruc-
ton over the Mexican settlements OF
southern Sonora.
The story OF the Yaquis Is one OF
the most remarkable narratives in his
tory. 1t has never been told in Eng
lish except In more or less fragment
airy fashion, and the English speaking
world has missed thereby n romance
worth reading. The tale tx literally
blotted with blood and stained with
incidents OF savage torture and treach-
cry. for the Yauuis are savage pco-
pie. but running through 1t from be-
ginning to end Is fanatic love OF
country. an indomitable courage and
hardihood that has mover been excelled.
In certain parts OF Mexico the name
OF YaNui has acquired terrors almost
legendary among the Ignorant classes.
II has become term with which TO
brighten children. Even on the Ameri-
can side of the border the Ya1ui often
gets credit for being more terrible
person than he really is. In point Of
fact. the Yauuis are the Apaches OF
Mexico. with rather more than the
Apaches' abilities for organization and
stubborn resistance. Aided by the fact
that the government opposed TO them
has always been considerably weaker
than that of the United States. and
by the inaccessible nature OF the coun
try that they love so dcvotedly. they
have the distinction of being the only
Indian tribe that has never been thor
oughly and completely conquered by
the whites. There have always been
"a few defiant Yaqui outlaws in the
hills.
FIEhtern for Centuries.
The story Of the Yaquis is the story
OF their wars. Almost century be-
fore the landing Of the Pilgrims in
New England. an army OF Spaniards
with their Indian allies moved north
ward from Mexico City. conquerins
everything in their path. When they
reached the bank OF the Yaqui River
they were met by large band OF In
dams, whose leader drew line In tho
soft earth. That line he forbade the
Spaniards to cross. The white men
npened fire with their cannon, but ar
tor a brief engagement the Yaquis
routed them. The old Spanish chron-
icler states that he had fought with
most OF the Mexican Indian tribes
but ne SAYS, II have never seen In
dams fight like these"
That was almost 400 years ago. and
since then the YaQuis have fought al
most without cessation. In 1900 there
were $50 engagements in the Yaaui
war. The Mexicans estimate that there
have been almost 300 years OF actual
lighting between Mexicans and Yaquis
and to-day the cable tells us that the
Yaouis arc out again The present
state OF disturbance in Mexico mas. OIL
course. been favorable to the Indians
Their fghting abilities are IN strong
demand among the various tactlons
and ono of the most formidable troops
in tho field Is hand of Yaquis, esti-
mated nj 1000 in number. led by a
Ynuui general
The revolutionary disturbances were
probably the salvation or the faqui
race OF late years the Mexican gov
eminent had been adopting the only
nolicv arainst the tribe which gave
promise Of eventual success In qu"ll-
ing their fghtinE spirit. This was the
plan OF deportation, by when the III
dams were sent from Sonora 10 tar-
away YuCatan as laDOrerS OF tHc piiH
t,tiops. This is said to be the only
fate that frightens the Yaquis. In the
first place they have been accustomed
bv untold centuries OF life In their
hills, to an environment OF mountain
and desert, and they seem TO have died
rapidly in the moist tropical climate oil
Yucntan Moreover. the Yaqui is pas
sicnately attached to his own country
He has fought through all these years
TO keen his territory absolutely free
from the encroachment Of white men
and to govern himself by his own laws
and customs.
involved slavery Charges
1T WAS in connection with the de-
portation of the Yauuis that many OF
the charges Of slavery on the pianta
tions were brought up in recent years
The old government undertook to fur
nish Yaqui laborers to the planters
on the payment of their railroad fare
stimulating that such laborers should
receive fair wages and treatment. but
apparently not troubling itself greatly
to see that such stipulations were al.
ways carried out Moreover, there were
instances whore certain individuals
would contract for laborers whom they
did not need and then sell thom I.
planters at premium. a great many
unrlea SAINT charges were brought for
ward In this connection. but the whole
matter OF the Yaqui wars Of lato year:
has been an unpleasant one on both
aid