The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1899-11-02
SLAVERY IN SULUs
Recognized In Treaty Between
Mckinley and Sultan.
DISTINCT CLAUSE TO THIS EFFECT.

| mltS the kOyal NuIeF 10 Commune
His Polyyamous Practices - How
Peace Was Purchased In the South
ernnost Group Of the Philippines.
The treaty entered into between
His Royal Highness the Sultan of Suiu.
| Hadgi Mchamad Womolol Kiran, ruler
| of $4,000 slaves and $4,000 freedmen,
and President William Mckinley Of
the United States, does not recognize
the emancipation proclamation issued
by President Lincoln on Jan. /, 1868.
guaranteeing freedom to the slaves in
the United States.
| The treaty which permits slavehold-
ing among the subjects Of President
McKinley's protege and employe was
transmitted by Adjutant General Cor
bin to Secretary Root 1t has not been
sent to the state department. Assist
| ant Secretary Of State Hill said that
the document is of military rather
than Of diplomatic character, as 1t
| was entered into between the army
and the sultan with the consent Of
President Mckinley.
1t Ia even doubtful whether or not
| 1t will be sent to congress to be for
! mally ratified in accordance with the
rule established for the treatment of
| documents affecting the relations of
the United States with a foreign coun-
try and with the Indian tribes.
The state department IS arguing
that as matter of fact the so-called
treaty Is not a treaty at all. But 1t is
none the less binding than q solemn
promise and agreement made between
two governments to respect conditions
mutually agreed upon. 1t has been
expressly authorized by President Nc
Kinley. although it is a fragrant viola
ton of the constitution Of the United
States.
The treaty. or contract, has been
considered at cabinet meeting and
the toleration of slavery and other
forms Of medieval savagery counte-
nanced by 1t apparently meets with
the approval Of not only the president
but all of his advisers
1t is more than probable that the
agreement will be considered as part
Of the military operations Of the Phil
ippines. A member of the cabinet
said, in explaining the presidents act
in agreeing to the recognition of slav-
cry in Sulu, that General Otis was
obliged to accept the conditions prac-
tically as he found them, and made
not a treaty, but a contract construct
ed along the lines of an agreement be-
tween this government and domestic
indian tribes.
Slavery has existed in Sulu, he said.
for 300 years. Spain countenanced 1t,
and the Sultan of Sulu would not agree
to any treaty not according the same
privileges granted by the Madrid gov
ernment
AS a concession, however, he agreed
to the incorporation Of an article in
the treaty permitting the slaves to
purchase their freedom for $50 head,
to be paid to him. AS there are about
$4,000 slaves in his domain, the admin
istration processes to hope that he will
be tempted by the opportunity to real
iLO q idA sc lSNChoC- vi hCdu lAohCy
through slaves taking advantage OF
President McKinley's benefcence. But |
no provision was Incorporated provid-
ing for any tribunal or other means !
Of Determining when slave could |
take advantage Of this privilege.
There is a distinct clause in the |
treaty between His Royal Highness, |
the Sultan of Sulu, and President Nc
Kinley, which permits him to practice |
polygamy. This concession is veiled |
in diplomatic metaphor, which cedes
Hadgi Mohamad Womolol Kiran the |
right to conduct his court land Incl. !
dentally his domestic affairs) with
pretty much the same liberty that he
and his noble ancestors practiced for
two centuries.
There is no mention in the treaty
of direct financial emolument to the
sultan in properly maintaining his II
wives. but one Of the articles of agree
ment stipulates that he shall draw
from the United States treasury sal
ary" equivalent to $4,000 Mexican dol
lars a year, to be paid at the rate Of
300 American dollars month"