New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-01
TRUTH ABOUT THE SULUS.
PRESIDENT SCIICRMAN on THE AGREE
MENT WITH THE SULTAN.
ONLY srcH RIGHTS AS SPAIN POSSESSED
AcQUfRED-TO INTERFERE WITH
RELIGION WOULD CAUSE
BLOODY WAR.

BLOODY WAf

Washington. oct. In View Of the discus
Sim of the military agreement between "ehera'
Rates and the Sultan Of Sulu, the opinions OF
President Schurman Of the Philippine Commis-
eion on this subject IRE interesting. Mr. Schur-
man was one Of the first Americans To visit Joo'
tho seat of the Spanish Government in inc SUN
archipelago and had an extended interview
with the Sultan before the arrival OF General
Rates The arrangement entered into between
General Bates and the Sultan was considerably
Influenced by this meeting. Although me fuil
toxt Of the agreement with the Sultan has not
baon made public, IT can be said that IL pra'-
tically conforms TO the previous convention cN-
,etire between the Sultan and the Spanish Gov
eminent. In this agreement SPAN h''e'
claimed anything more than an external pro-
tectorate in the Sulu group, the right TO sup
nress piracy in it's waters and 70 prevent the
periodic migrations Of oath bound Mahometans
who went to the northern islands under vow
to XIII Christians, and thus secure an entrance
into Paradise.
A MATTER FOR CAREFUL TREATMENT.
Mr. Schurman said to-day when asked about
the probable continuance Of poygamy and
slavery in the islands after they came under
American dominion that this was subject
which would have to be dealt with in the most
careful faSnlOn 20 pTlnB an ultiiHdt'iF Seh''9-
factory solution He continued:
It seems 10 me that were It not for the igno-
rance DISPLAYED the present hue and cry about
polygamy and slavery In these islands would be
absolutely criminal In taking over the Sulu
group We have acquired rights Of any sort
/ there except those bequeathed us by Spain. she
vas bound by her agreement with the sultan
not 10 interfere with The religion or customs or
the islands and It would be most unWise for us
10 attempt this by force when II can be ultl-
/ tho slower method OF
civilization and education The Sulu group
proper contains about 100000 inhabitants. lhey
are all Mahometans, as are about l'"VVV or 'ne
residents Of Mndanao. directly east. 10 at
tempt 10 interfere with the religion 81 these
people would precipitate one of the bloOdleSt
wars in which this country has ever been on
gagged. They different race physically
md mentally from the residents 81 the Nisayan
Islands. powerful men and religious fanatics OF
the most pronounced type who care nothing
for death and belle p that the road TO heaven
can be attained by killing Christians. Polygamy
is part Of their religion. and slavery about
| which 80 much Is being said just now, Is MID
! type Of feudal bondage
INTRODUCING CIVILIZED CUSTOMS.
The Sultan believes from what he has seen ~
| Americans that they are ready 10 be friendly
| and deal honestly by him. our soldiers and Off
GERS already travel into the interior Of Joo with
perfect impunity where Spaniards have never
| dared 10 set foot II has been suggested indl-
rectly TO the Sultan that he should mainsain an
| American II good standing as a confidential adj
wiser his court to aid him in the work Of ma +.
| terial development for which the beautifu
| group of islands is ready. and which is bound
| To come when they are thrown I'm touch with
| the civilized world ! believe that he Will take
| kindly 10 this suggestion and the leaven Of civ
| nlzati0n introduced i'm this way ultimately VIII
do the work which armed interference with I'M
| memorial religious customs never could accom-
| plish We have before In this case the OK
| ample OF England I'm her various possessions
and Of the Dutch in Java, where remarkable
| work Of civilization and progress has been ac-
| Complished We should take a leaf out Of their
| book which shows US that semi-barbarous peo-
pie frequently can he led where they could not
| be driven
have been already harshly criticised for TAX
ing this stand in regard to the Sulu Islands since
I returned 70 the United States, but 1t is my
| honest belief that what have Just stated is the
| truth. and that any attempt to interfere by
| force in the Suu Islands AT this time VIII bring
on a bloody and wholly unnecessary war.