The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15
THE SULU AGREEMENT.
=
Explained BY President OF Philip.
pine Commission-AnyI Interfer.
euce Is Unnecessary-Mr. Schur.
man Thinks That Arrangements
Which Have Been Made Are Best

man Thinks That Arrangements
Which Have Been Made Are Best
For All Concerned.
In view Of the current discussion OF the
military agreement between General Bate.
Schurman, Of the Philippine com mission, on
the subject are interesting.
Mr. Schurmap was one Of the first Ameri-
cans to visit Jolo, the seat ofSpanish govern.
ment in the Sulu archipelago, and had an ex-
tended interview with the sultan before the
arrival OF General Bates. The arrangements
entered into between General Bates and the
sultan was considerably Influenced oy tnis
Although the full agreement with the Sui
tan has not been made public by the Wash
ington authorities, IT. can be stated that 1t
practically conforms to the previous conven.
tion existing between the Sultan and the
Spanish government. In this agreement
Spain never clai med anything more than an
external protectorate over the Snla group,
the right to suppress piracy in Its waters and
to prevent the periodic migrations OF the OATH
bound Mohamm edans W ho went TO the north
ern islands under a vow to Kill Christians
and. thus secure an entrance into Paradise.
Professor Schurman said when questioned
about the probable continuance Of polygamy
and slavery In the ISLANDS after t they , came an
asubject which would have to be dealt with
in the most careful fashion to bring an ulti-
mately satisfactory solution. He said:
"It seems to me that were 1t not for the
Ignorance displayed the present hue aud cry
about polygamy and slavery in these islands
would be absolutely criminal. In taking
over the Sulu group we have acquired no
rights OF any sort there except those be-
. oueathed us by Spain. She was bound by
her agreement with the sultan not to inter-
fere with the religion or customs OF the is-
lands and IL would be most unwise for US TO
attempt this by force when 1t can be ulti-
matey accomplished by the slower methed
OF civilization and education.
'The Suu group proper contains ABOUT
100000 Inhabitants. They are all Mohamme-
dams, as are about $50 200 of the residents OF
Mindanoa, directly east Toatteinpt to inter.
fere with the religion of these people would
precipitate one Of the bloodjest wars IN which
This country has ever been engaged. They
from the residents OF the Viscayan isles
powerful men and religious fanatics of the
most pronounced type, who care nothing for
&eath and believe the road to heaven can be
attained by killing Christians. Polygamy Is
O loart of their religion. and slavery, about
which so much Is being said just now, is q
milG type of feudal bondage.
."Tb,e sultan believes from W hat he has seen OF
Americans that they are ready to be friendly
and deal honestly by him. Our soldiers and
officers already travel into the interior OF
Jolo with perfect inpunity, where Spanlards
never daned to set foot. 1t has been suggest.
ed indireSetly to the sultan that he should
maintain an American OF good stan ding as a
confidential adviser at his court TO AID MIN
In the work OF material development LOT
which the beautiful group Of islands is ready,
and which is bound to come when they are
thrown in touch with the civilized. oelleVe
that he will take kindly to this suggestion.