Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05

tributed equally and equitabiy among the
people The military authorities will col
Iect and receive the customs revenue. and
WIN control postal matters and Philippine
inter-island trade and commerce
The military governor. subject to the APP
proFai of the military governor of the Phil
clncaly provided for and which do not
come under the jurisdiction of the advisory
council.
The SuIu Islands.
The authorities of the Sulu Islands have
accepted the succession Of the United
States to the rights OF Spain. and our flag
floats over that territory On the 10Th Of
August. 1899. Brig. Gen J. c. Bates.
United States Volunteers. negotiated an
agreement with the Sultan and his principal
cnlefs. which l transmit herewith by Ar
ucIe the sovereignty of the United States
over the whole archipelago of Julo and its
dependencies is declared and Acknowledged.
The United States flag will be used in the
archipelago and its dependencies, on land
ana sea Piracy is to be suppressed. and
the Sultan agrees to cooperate heartily
with the United States authorities to thai
ehd and TO make every possible effort to
arrest and bring to justice all persons en-
gagged IN piracy. All trade in domestic
products of the archipelago OF Jolo when
carried on with any part of the Philippine
Islands and under the American flag shall
be free, unlimited, and undutiabie The
United States Will give fuM protection to
me Sultan in case any foreign nation
should attempt to impose upon him. The
nlted States will not sell the island OF
Jolo or any other island of the JoIo archi-
peIago to any foreign nation without the
consent OF the Sultan Salaries for the
Sultan and his associates in the admins
tration of the islands have been agreed
upon to the amount Of s7GO monthly
Article y provides that any slave in the
arc loo,
purchase freedom by paying TO the master
the usual market value. The agreement
py General Bates was made subject to con
Hrmation by the President and to future
mooihcations by the consent Of the parties
IN interest. l have confirmed said agree
ment, subject to the action of the Congress
and with the reservation, which | have di-
fected snail be communicated to the Sui
tan OF JoIo, that this agreement is not I,
De deemed in any way TO authorize or give
the consent of the United states to the
existence OF slavery in the Sulu archiDel-
ago. l communicate these facts TO The
congress for its Information and action
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression Of the TaGaio rebellion life in
the archipelago will soon resume its Ordi-
nary course under the protection of our
severe gnty. and the people of those
favored islands will enjoy a prosperity and
a freedom which they have never before
known. Already hundreds of schools are
open and filled with children. Relg. Gus
freedom is sacredly assured and enjoyed
The courts are dispensing justice Business
Is beginning TO circulate in its accust om,d
channels Manila whose Inhabitants were
fleeing to the country a few months ago. IS
now pOpulous and thriving mart of com
merce- The earnest and unremitting en-
deavors of the Commission and the Admiral
and Major-General Commanding the De
partmen1 of the Pacific to assure the people
of the beneffcent intentions of this Govern
ment have had their legitimate effect N
convincing the great mass of them that
peace and safety and prosperity and stable
government can only be found in a loyal
acceptance of the authority of the United