Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-11-02
scHuRmAN ON THE suLUs.
Philippine Commissioner ON slavery
aud Polygamy Problems.

y
Washington. Nov. 2.-In view of the
current discussion OF the military
agreement between General Bates and
the sultan of Sulu, the views of Presi-
dent Schurman, of the Philippines
commission, on the subject are inter-
esting. Mr.. Schurman was one of the
first Americans to visit Jolo, the seat
of Spanish government in the Sulu
archipelago, and had an extended in
terview with the sultan before the ar
rival of General Bates. The arrange
ment entered into between General
Bates and the sultan was considerably
influenced by this meeting. Although
the full text of the agreement with
the sultan has not been made public
by the Washington authorities, it can
be stated that it practically conforms
to the agreement existing between the
sultan and the Spanish government.
In this agreement Spain never claimed
anything more than an external pro-
tectorate in the Sulu group, the right
to suppress piracy in it's waters, and to
prevent the periodic migrations of
oathbound Mohammedans who went
TO the northern islands under VOW to
kill Christians and thus secure an en-
trance into paradise. 80.
Professor Schurman said, When
questioned about the probable contin-
uance of polygamy and slavery in the
islands after they came under Amer
lean dominion, that this was a subject
which would have to be dealt with in
the most careful fashion to bring an
ultimately satisfactory solution.
SIT seems to me-" said he. that
We're it not for the indulgence dis
played the present hue and cry about
polygamy and slavery in these islands
would be absolutely criminal. In talk
ing over the Sulu group we have ac-
quired no rights of any sort there eN-
cept those bequeathcd to us by Spain.
She was bound by her agreement with
the sultan not to interfere with the
religion or customs of the islands, and
it would be unwise for us to attempt
this by force when it can be ultimate
ly accomplished by the slower method
of civilization and education.
The Sulu group proper contains
about 100000 inhabitants. They are
all Mohammcdans, as are about $780,
600 of the residents of Mindanoa, tli-
rectly east. To attempt to interfere
with the religion of these people
would precipitate one of the bloodiest
wars in which this country has ever
been implicated. They are different
physically and mentally from the resi-
dents of the Visayan islands, power
full men and religious fanatics of the
most pronounced type, who care moth
ing for death and believe that the road
to heaven can be attained by killing
Christians. Polygnmy is part of
their religion and slavery is mild
type of feudal bondage. The sultan
believes from what 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
impunity, where Spaniards have never
dared to set foot. 1t has been sug.
gested indirectly to the sultan that
he should maintain an American of
good standing as confidential adviser
at his court to aid him in the work
of material development for which the
beautiful group of islands is ready and
which is bound to come when they are
thrown in touch with the civilized
world. / believe that he will take
kindly to this suggestion and the leav-
en- of civilization introduced in this
way ultimately will do the work which
armed interference with immemorial
religious customs never could accom-