Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-24

- 1
The real opera bouffe feature OF the
war in the Philippines has come to the
surface at last. IL is found in the
island OF Sulu, and comprises the in
teresting negotiations of the repre-
sentatiyes Of the United States govern
ment with the Sultan of Suiu, the
arbitrary ruler Of the island.
General Bates, who is negotiating
with the Sultan. has not made definite
terms with that monarch yet, but re-
ports progress. The Sultan is inclined
to be friendly provided he is not I'M
duly interfered with, and. as far as the |
negotiations have proceeded, he has
nothing to complain of. The treaty"
or agreement, with our subject, vassal,
ally or great friend is said to be based
upon the treaty, now imperative, form
erly subsisting between Spain and his
majesty, and it is reported that General
Bates, on behalf OF the United States.
guarantees absolute non-interference
with the internal affairs of the Sultan's
demain, the customs of the people, or
with their religion. Certain points
are to be occupied as military posts,
and the Sultan is to fly tho American
flag in token of American sovereignty.
The Sultan is reported as obiectiug to
the flag condition, but we are informed
that he is likely to yield and acknowl-
edge our nominal sovereignty. Spain
paid the Sultan pension OF 81, 400
per year as a kind of backsheesh TO
keep him in good humor, and it is
understood that we shall continue the
dole. AS to slavery, his majesty has
graciousy deigned to comply with our
very modest request that slaves may be
given the right to buy their freedom,
merely STIMULATING that when slave
shall buy himself free, he shall pay the
market price.
The Sulu Archipelago is peopled by
Moslems, and with the attempt of 1876
Spain gave up trying to conquer them.
Mussulmans also inhabit the huge and
almost unknown island Of Mindanao,
and in the event of hostilities between
this country and the Sultan it is likely
that the Mussulmans Of all the South
ern islands would be arrayed against
us in desperate religious war. Such
conflict would make the Luzon en-
terprise seem insignificant, The Sulus
are said to he admirable fighters, and
the Sultan has a force of $4,000 at his
beck and CALI Slavery in the islands
is a well established institution. In
addition to those born slaves or cap
tured in war, insolvent debtors are
enslaycd. The Sultan is absolute mon
arch and "lord of life and DEATH
And the inclusion of this picturesque
barbarian, with his harem, slaves and
despotic rule, under the "banner of
freedom" says the Philadelphia
Ledger, marks the utmost limit Of the
homogeneous in our expansion of the
"home OF the Free" Ii the plea is
made that our recognition Of the Sultan
is necessary or highly expedient step,
it is apparent that Imperialism, which
makes such things necessary, is lead
ing US far sstray from the path Of duty,
honor and safety.
There are other questions at issue,
also. Even if the Sultan agrees to fy
. the American flag as a token of oui
. sovereignty, he is to hold on to existing
laws and customs, among which is one
that gives him the right to have a:
many wives as he pleases. Here We
would have practical recognition o
polygamy in territory Of the United
States, Notwithstanding the existenc'
!, of Federal statute prohibiting thi
practice in any of our States or Terri
tories-a law that has been severely en-
! forced within the great domain of Nor
monism, the State of Utah.
However, it is not likely that al
c incongruity Of this sort will be per
S mItted to interfere with President Nc
: Kinley's great scheme of "benevolen
4 assimilation in the Philippines. Tn
# war will go on, and anything that tend
to the promotion of the scheme will
/: eagerly accepted, rolygamy, idolatr
IS and all.