The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-26
SHE SAW THE SULU TREATY
IOmaha spe. New York World.

Miss Mamie Hartley left Lincoln ear
" in 1898 for the Philippine Islands. She
has just returned to Nebraska. She
visited LuZOn, IlOiIO, MindanaO. BObOl,
Negros, Sulu and San Nicolas, and was
the first American woman to set foot
on a number of these islands.
Miss Hartley was at JOlO with Cen
eral Bates and the American commits
sion when the famous treaty with the
Sultan of Sulu was signed. She says
that the natives called General Bates
the Big God from Manila" and des-
cribeS the trip to JOlO and the proceed
ingS there as follows:
"On the island the party was ac-
cOmpanied by one of the Sulu chiefs a
man who happened to be a rival of the
Sultan, and who was almost as power
full. He was suspicious and would not
go with General Bates unless allowed a
guard OF 81 OF MS own men. IheSe peO-
pie are unusually bright and Intelligent,
and this chief was especially So
THE aged Sultana, mother IT the
Sultan, proposed marriage to this chief
some time ago. They say she has a
habit of killing off her husbands, and
this chief refused, replying co her pro-
posal that, if he had to be killed, he
preferred to kill himself.
THE party first visited the Sultana's
home, where they were all entertained
at a dinner consisting of dried fish in
oil. The Sultana is an old bag in ap-
pearance. Most of her teeth are gone
and those that remain are perfectly
black
One wore a SOlO1eT lGII-HdIlQ glove
on her right hand for the reason, it was
afterward explained, that she did not
want to shake hands with the Christian
dogs. However she treated US exceed
ingly well and spoke Of brOtherly love,
and apparently seemed in favor Of haV-
ing the treaty signed.
1--WE said we could not eat the fish
that was brought to US, but General
Bates said that if we declined the Sui
tana would be offended, and that for
the sake of the treaty, we would have
to eat some of it.
'TThe chief who had refused to marry
the Sultana, and who sat at one end of
the table, declined to eat the fish,
thinking it was poisoned.
1T required a good deal of nerve to
eat the stuff, especially after one of the
natives had refused to eat it for such
a reason.
'AH the American officers were IN
armed and we were completely at their
mercy. General Bates thought going
among them without arms would de-
mOnstrate the friendlinesS entertained
toward them, especially if there were
American women in the party.
From the Sultana's home the entire
party Travelled over the Kings highway
to the Sultans house, where we were
received in an upstairs room. The Sui
tan is a young man, very stout and
sleepy. long, yellow gown hung
from his shoulders. and he wore a col
ored turban on his head He shook
hands with all of US and then at his
proposal we adjourned to his council
chamber and negotiations were opened
at once for the signing of the treaty
THE Sultan was perfectly willing to
be an American and receive $3.50 per
month but he wanted to fly his own
flag, and on this point he remained OBJ
stinate for some time. He finally said
he would agree to fly the American
flag if allowed to run up his own when
ever he saw a ship appear
After an hour or so with the Sultan
General Bates convinced him that the
United States could not protect him IN
less the United States flag was allowed
to remain where it could be seen by ap-
preaching ships. This satisfied him and
he signed the treaty.