The record-union., 1899-08-30
THE SULTAN'S ANNUITY.

When the Philippines were under the
domination of Spain the latter secured
the friendship of the Sultan of Sulu
by an annual contribution to his dra-
matte little show of rule The sum
thus expended was S2,400, to other
pretentious dignitaries of his court
were paid sums which brought the ag-
gregate to $4,000.
This amount we have agreed in our
recent. adjustment with the Sultan to
continue and in return he obligates
himself to recognize our supremacy, TO
stop piracy and put an end to certain
crimes committed in the Sulu group. 1t
was a. cheap dicker and wise one, be-
cause it would cost us a great sum to
go to war with him and bring this pet
ty ruler into subsection.
By no possible twist ofSlogic, there
fore. can the calamityites and senti-
mentalists warp out of this compact
anything more than it shows for on
it's face. 1t does not imply recogni-
ton on our part Of the sovereignty Of
the Sultan or approval of his social
system. It is simply an adjustment
to prevent war and accomplish materi-
al good.
There are many precedents for the
payment of annuities to ex-sovereigns,
and even those whose title had no vir-
tue of legal right We have paid such
annuities to Indian chiefs without num-
Der; the ex-Queen of Hawaiians thus
provided for in the original treaty for
the annexation of Hawaii; England
has long paid such annuities or peace
offerings to Hindoo princes; the Dutch
do the same with native chiefs in Java,
and so does France in her African
possessions In most of these cases
these subsidies mean home rule for
the people, and so it does with US in
the case of Sulu Islands. We give the
people there home rule in a true sense.
AS will be seen by the report Of pro-
ceedings in the Dreyfus .court-martial
published in another column this morn
ing, they have at last succeeded in
getting a real wit upon the witness
stand Colonel Cordier fulfills the ira
dition about the jolly little fat men
with red noses He kept the court and
audience in mirthful mood, and at the
same time put in some telling blows
for Dreyfus and some equally as hot
ones against the prosecutors Of the un-
happy artillery Captain. His retorts
were quick as flashes. his wit as bub-
bling as sparkling champagne, and his
humor as unctuous as could be desired.
The impression this witness makes
upon the readers mind is that Of alb
solute fearlessness and strict honesty.
He testified to more facts than the en-
tire bunch of witnesses to date. He
put at rest once and forever the stories
and denials Of the room with the ar
ranged mirrors and draperies in which
the examination Of Dreyfus was held
| before he was arrested. Colonel Cordier
appears to have had no hesitation in
calling things by their right names. nor
in fatty snubbing his superior officers
when they attempted to belittle hin:
and contradict his statements. One
such Frenchman of wit. humor and
/ daring is a restful change from the
| long drawn countenanced and solemn
visaged witnesses to date in this IA
nous trial. Nothing wittier in the
whole affair has been put than Cor
dier's analysis of Dreyfus' character as
| to virtue. He classed him as a man
who was rascal among women before
marriage, but a saint after wedlock; as
one who boasted in his youth much OF
his conquests, but as also Of those
boosters who accomplish least. Really
Cordier's testimony is the most refresh
ing bit we have yet nsi in this farce
of a trial.