The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-23

Washington. May 20.-It is believed
that whatever difficulty has existed as
to the disposition of the weapons held
by the Cuban soldiers has been re-
moved by the action taken by Secretary
Alger today He has instructed Cen
eral Brooke to begin at once the pay
ment of the 100000 set aside as the
payment of the Cuban soldiers, being
entirely satisfied with the provision
made by General Brooke for the safe
keeping of the arms that must be sur
ton of receiving a share of the money.
The Sulu group of islands, to the
capital of which, Jolo. General Otis
has sent two battalions of the Twen-
ty-third infantry, is the most souther-
ly group of the Philippine archipelago
and is inhabited by the most warlike
people in the Philippines. Although
there are over $50 small islands in the
Sulu group, the Spaniards have never
been able to exercise more than nomi-
nal sovereignty, and, in fact, were never
able to maintain garrison except at
Jolo. That garrison gave them but
footing on that island and since 1876,
when they destroyed the residence of
the reigning sultan, they have lived
with the natives under an armed truce
The sultan still reigned under the pro
lection of Spain. There is no infor-
nation at the war department as to
whether there is a Spanish garrison
quartered at Jolo still, but as it is
known that most of the Spanish garri-
son quartereds in the southern portion
of the archipelago were concentrated at
Zanboanga on the island of Mindanao
the supposition is that the American
troops upon their arrival will find Jolo
minus any garrison whatever.
1t is presumed that the object of the
government in sending a garrison
there is to serve notice upon the world
that the United States claims sover-
eighty over this group of islands upon
which, from time to time, it has been
reported other nations had designs.
The natives of the Sulu islands are
called Moros and originally came from
Borneo. They are born warriors, are
Mohammedans, polygamists and slave
owners. They disdain work and ex-
pect their wants to be supplied by their
wives and slaves. After their wild
tribal battles or T. cir combats with the
Christians, the cOnquerors kill the
men. the women are taken to enrich
the seraglios of the victors and the
children are sold as slaves. In battle
they seek to terrify their opponents by
making hideous faces. Like the Der
wishes, whom the British have been
fighting in the Soudan, the Moros are
upborne in battle by religious fanatism
and cut and slay until they expire.
They never ask or give quarter and are
treacherous to a degree.
MR.. ROCKHILL'S NEW POSITION.
Mr.. w. w. Rockhill, late minister to
Greece, today assumed the Office OF
director of the bureau Of American re-
publics, temporarily occupied by Mr..
Frederick Emory, who will devote his
entire time to the discharge of his du-
ties as chief of the bureau Of foreign
commerce of the department of state.
SHAFTER IN COMMAND OF.
ALASKA.
The war department has turned over
to General Shafter the complete direc-
tim of all military affairs in Alaska
The only general instruction sent to
him has been TO relieve the soldiers
who have been stationed in Alaska, by
fresh troops, it being deemed uQwise
to attempt to retain men in that cli-
mate for more than one year at a ime.
PAY TO CUBAN SOLDIERS Or
DERED.
Havana. May 20.-The order for the
payment Of the Cuban troops and the
delivery of their arms TO the mayors Of
the various municipalities, under the
supervision of the civil governors, was
signed by Governor General Brooke to-
day, but as yet it has not been pub
lished and could be suppressed were
reasons for such course 10 arise dur
ing the next forty Eight hours.
The impression here Is that the news
reports from Washington have been at
variance with the official understand
ing, both here and there.
The first payment of the troops has
been set for May 9th at the foot of
the prado in Havana, and the second for
May Both at Santiago de las Vegas. in
Havana province. The payments viii
be continued at other places in the
province day hy day fhcrcaffor