The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-28
The Sultan of Sulu.

The sultan of Sulu.
The nature Of the treaty entered in
to by our government with the sultan
Of Sulu disposes of the absurd claim
that our war in the Philippines is a war
of conquest. The Sulu archipelago,
lying toward the southern limits of the
Philippine group, is series of islands
inhabitated by Mohammedan tribes,
some partly but the majority wholly
the sovereignty of Spain but no Span
lard had done more than casually visit
its chief ports and the interior of the
islands was and is virtually an un-
known land The archipelago Is ruled
actually by a sultan, who may be
likened to an Indian chief in absolute
command over warlike serfs, and 1t
became necessary to pacify him in or
der to leave the American authorities
free to concentrate energies upon the
problem of Luzon. To this end a trea-
ty was drawn and after six weeks Of
negotiations on the part of General
Bates 1t was accepted by the Sulu
potentate, signed, sealed and delivered.
1t establishes American sovereignty
and the American flag over the Sulu
group; authorizes American occupa-
tiOn and control of such points as may
be demanded by the public interest;
provides that any person by obtaining
the sultan's consent may purchase
land for due compensation; guaran-
tees the rights of the sultan and ma
tive chiefs establishes non-interfer-
ence with religious customs and be-
liefs together with non-persecution on
account OF religion: ordains free trade
In domestic products when conducted
by natives under the American flag;
gives to the sultan privilege of COM
munication of grievances direct to the
governor general at Manila; forbids
the introduction of firearms save on
the governor generals consent; pledges
the sultan to suppress piracy; gives
to the native government right to try
all natives for crimes, punishment to
be administered by the Americans
enables slaves to purchase their free
dom; pledges the American authori-
ties to make faithful investigation OF
complaints before resorting to harsh
measures; commits the sultan to offer
native escorts to Americans wishing
TO investigate the interior: binds the
United States to protect the sultan in
the event of any foreign nation at
tempting any imposition on him; stip-
nj a ,n4
sell the archipelago without the sui
tan's consent, and arranges a scale of
subsidies for the sultan and his chiefs
to take the place Of the money paid
to them by Spain. The sultan is to
get $3.50 a month in Mexican money,
his three chief subordinates $75 each,
three others $50 each, one other $40 and
one SIS a month--a total cost. in our
money. Of about $3.50 a month for the
keeping of peace in a scattered area
containing some of the most trouble
some specimens of barbarian human
ity on the records of the race.
1t will be perceived that this treaty
contains not a line of conquest. 1t
leaves native customs and native rights
undisturbed but inteligently provides
for the rights of civilization is these
shall from time to time arise. We want
nothing from the sultan but good or
der and fair play and we are willing
to give him in exchange for these a
cash income and the advantages of
our protectorate. Unlike some of our
treaties with the Indians in years gone
by this treaty will be kept, because
there is no surrounding circle of un-
scrupulous whites cOveteOus of the
Moro possessions and anxious to man.
ufacture pretexts for attack, spolia-
tion and theft. The arrangement
may seem strange because our people
have not been accustomed to such
compacts but judged In the light of eX-
pediency. duty and necessity it offers
a hopeful proof of American capacity
to meet unexpected emergencies fairly
and well,